Do you know your way under a car?

@Majorlatency that's cute. I just drove my 1996 Ford Windstar before the rain came and the wipers didn't work. They only work when I press the clean the windows button. I'm hoping it's a short and will take off the front panel for the first time, - any suggestions?

@atlantic59 if you press the clean window and the wiper motor runs then 90% of the system works. (Wiring, fuse motor all good) I would not take the front panel off as the problem is likely on the steering column stalk that controls the wipers or wiper relay in fuse box - there are usually two relays inside the fuse box that control the wiper. See diagram. The relay contacts may be corroded or the relay itself faulty.. Their location is clearly marked on the inside of the cover.. if you take the out clean the contacts reinsert or replace them with no luck then it could be the wiper switch.. This is readily accessible once you remove the plastic shroud that covers the control arm of the wiper stalk on the steering wheel. With a volt meter and a wiring diagram (google) you should be able to see if its a contact inside the stalk (generally not repairable) or the connector..if its the arm and switch assembly you should be able to pick one up from a scrap dealer.. Don’t buy new as theyre a few hundred dollars..

Cars of your vintage usually have corrosion issues so connectors under the hood in and around the fuse box can be suspect..

I've never owned a Windstar (I
am more familiar with european performance cars or US Hemi motors), but all cars have a generally similar wiring control system for wipers..

Good luck

[image deleted]

@Majorlatency i was gonna guess the switch.

@Virgo79 Could well be, however its good to eliminate the lower cost more accessible items first..

@Majorlatency true that!