Electrical 1986 Mustang GT Multifunction Switch Question

[Willybill32]

I’ve searched the forums, but couldn’t find an answer, so I’ll make a post…

My 1986 Mustang hasn’t been out in the rain for at least 15 years, but yesterday I had it out and it rained. It had been so long that I wasn’t sure how to turn on the wipers, but in any event, they didn’t work. The owner’s manual says there are three positions for the turn signal lever: intermittent; low; and high. My lever only goes up one position, and no wipers in that position. I figured since the lever only went to one position, must be the switch mechanism. But in looking at multifunction switches online, the descriptions don’t indicate anything about the wiper lever. Does the 1986 multifunction switch also include provisions for the lever for the wipers?

I see on the forums that the multifunction switch is the source of at least some wiper issues, but see no indication for the wiper lever.

Thanks in advance!

Bill

 

[sparkylawdog]

You should have two switches. They operate different items.

Attached is a picture of turn signal switch (red arrow) and the wiper switch (blue arrow) from my 85. The turn signal switch does indeed have three positions, up (right signal), down (left signal) and towards you (high beam). The wiper switch (blue arrow) has three positions (interval, slow, fast), all up. If you pull it towards you you activate the wiper fluid pump.

 

[Willybill32]

You should have two switches. They operate different items.

Attached is a picture of turn signal switch (red arrow) and the wiper switch (blue arrow) from my 85. The turn signal switch does indeed have three positions, up (right signal), down (left signal) and towards you (high beam). The wiper switch (blue arrow) has three positions (interval, slow, fast), all up. If you pull it towards you you activate the wiper fluid pump.

@sparkylawdog, thank you! So I need a wiper switch!

Bill

 

[sparkylawdog]

This is the multifunction switch that is inside the steering column cover. The turn signal stalk attaches into here. It is not connected to the wiper switch.

 

[sparkylawdog]

Does your wiper switch have the interval wiper feature?

 

[General karthief]

The wiper motor may be stuck from non use, tap it with a 'soft' hammer with the switch turned on.
My wipers forget to park once in a while. Hit a bump and they wake up and park.
It's a Tug Boat, waddayaexpect?

 

[Willybill32]

Does your wiper switch have the interval wiper feature?

Yes, @sparkylawdog, it has the interval feature.

 

[Willybill32]

This is the multifunction switch that is inside the steering column cover. The turn signal stalk attaches into here. It is not connected to the wiper switch.

I haven't done any real diagnostics yet, but in reading posts on the forum, it seems the multifunction switch is regularly the problem with the wipers, so I'll plan on replacing it.

 

[Willybill32]

The wiper motor may be stuck from non use, tap it with a 'soft' hammer with the switch turned on.
My wipers forget to park once in a while. Hit a bump and they wake up and park.
It's a Tug Boat, waddayaexpect?

Thanks, General! I'll do that. Part of my concern is that my wiper lever now only has two positions, essentially off and on, while it's supposed to have four positions, off, interval, low and high. I'm assuming that means the windshield wiper switch needs to be replaced. I've found some NOS on eBay.

 

[Noobz347]

Check for power going into the wiper switch and into the wiper motor with the switch [on].

 

[General karthief]

Based on your description I'd bet something broke inside the !ever mechanism.

 

[Willybill32]

Based on your description I'd bet something broke inside the !ever mechanism.

Thanks for all the input! I bought a NOS turn signal switch off fleabay and replaced the original switch. Now the wipers work! Funny, once the old switch was out, it now goes to all four positions. Must have been some kind of interference the way it was mounted.

Bill