• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Electrical Wiper wiring problems, help please

  • Thread starter Thread starter 5spdvertnoairbags
  • Start date Start date Jan 20, 2021
5

5spdvertnoairbags

New Member
May 16, 2020
7
0
1
Russellville, ar
Jan 20, 2021
#1
  • Jan 20, 2021
  • #1
I got a couple new edge wiper motors off of a buddy today and I need help with the wiring going from a 2 plug motor to a single plug motor.

also, I’ve got power all the way to the motor so I’m assuming the fuse an hardware are all good.

almost forgot the car I’m working on is my 87 gt 5spd hatch
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Jan 23, 2021
#2
  • Jan 23, 2021
  • #2
This may help....

Windshield wipers – how it works theory and operation

Multispeed windshield wiper operation

The wiper motor does not have a resistor pack inside it. It does have one armature brush offset from the other two and a cylindrical permanent magnet instead of a set of field coils. The two brushes directly opposite each other are the low speed brushes. The low speed brush works in conjunction with one of the high speed brushes to provide a second speed.

Self Parking mechanism:
The self parking mechanism is copper circle glued or stuck on the wiper gear. The circle always has 12 volts on it until the wiper comes to the park position. There are two copper spring switch contacts, one provides power to the copper circle, while the other provides a path to the low speed winding. The power contact always provides power to the copper circle except when in the park position. The low speed contact is always in contact with the copper circle. When power is turned off at the wiper control, the 12 volts continues to flow to the low speed motor brush until the wiper blade returns to the park position.


Interval Governor:
The interval governor is a fancy electronic switch that sends the motor a pulse of electricity that varies in duration time. It always runs on the slow speed motor brushes. Turn the wipers on and quickly turn them off. The self parking mechanism inside the motor makes sure that the wiper blades come back to the park position and stop there. The interval governor does the same thing: it sends power to the wiper motor and then turns it off. The duration of the pulse sent to the motor determines how many strokes it makes before stopping at the park position. If you watch carefully, you will notice the wiper blade speed is constant and never changes when you are using the interval wiper function.

Interval governor module


Interval governor location


Troubleshooting:
All tests done with the ignition switch in Run or Accessory position and wipers on.

1.) Look for constant 12 volts on the red wire on the wiper motor. No 12 volts, the fuse is blown, bad wiring or bad connection. This will cause park problems or no wiper operation
2.) Check the ground. No ground and nothing works, bad ground and you get intermittent operation.
3.) No high speed operation, low speed OK. Look for 12 volts on the Dark Brown/orange wire. No 12 volts, bad wiper switch, bad connections or bad wiring.
4.) No low speed operation, high speed OK. Look for 12 volts on the white wire. No 12 volts, interval governor faulty or missing, or bad wiring. Since this is a pulse and not a steady voltage, a test light used in parallel with the voltmeter may be a better indication of operation
5.) Motor low speed test: Jumper the brown/white wire on the interval governor to the white wire. The motor should run in low speed mode. I haven’t tested this yet, so use caution. If the motor does not run, the low speed brush may be bad.

Do all this and by that time, maybe I’ll have figured out some simple tests for the interval governor…

See http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/maintenance/how-to-fix-your-windshield-wiper-motors-2 for more help.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,892
10,553
203
polk county florida
Jan 23, 2021
#3
  • Jan 23, 2021
  • #3
I'm always curious why someone would use something from another year that needs some modification that may or may not work when a plug and play part is less than $100.
 
Reactions: 5spdvertnoairbags and Habu135

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,236
17,922
224
Massachusetts
Jan 24, 2021
#4
  • Jan 24, 2021
  • #4
General karthief said:
I'm always curious why someone would use something from another year that needs some modification that may or may not work when a plug and play part is less than $100.
Click to expand...

the replacement Motorcraft wiper motor WM664 is now a 6-pin single plug motor, so you need to do the conversion regardless if you choose a new Motorcraft part for certain year fox bodies. In fact, Ford now offers only one wiper motor for many models, so rewiring is going to be common.

I think I’m going this route as well because a NOS Ford motor from a different car is $30 and looks like it will fit. Just need to be converted to the single plug setup

And as you know, my opinion is a Ford part > aftermarket
 
Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
Reactions: 5spdvertnoairbags and General karthief

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,236
17,922
224
Massachusetts
Jan 28, 2021
#5
  • Jan 28, 2021
  • #5
Btw, here’s the pinout fit the Ford 2-plug wiper motor.



need to find similar pinout for a single plug 5-wire or 6-wire motor now.
 
Reactions: General karthief

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,236
17,922
224
Massachusetts
Jan 28, 2021
#6
  • Jan 28, 2021
  • #6
Here ya go.

2 plug to either the 5 wire or 6 wire motor

I haven’t verified yet. I have a plug harnes in the mail for a 5-wire motor, so I haven’t done it yet. Need to verify if this pinout is on the motor, or when looking at the connector.

 
Last edited: Jan 28, 2021
Reactions: General karthief

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
2,979
1,626
153
nevada
Jan 28, 2021
#7
  • Jan 28, 2021
  • #7
I pulled a junkyard wiper motor awhile back,I think it was a tempo. I only used it till I could get a new( not reman) cardone exact fit one.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20210128_200950_hdr.webp
    359.5 KB · Views: 297
  • IMG_20210128_201037_hdr.webp
    438.2 KB · Views: 288
Reactions: General karthief

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
2,979
1,626
153
nevada
Jan 28, 2021
#8
  • Jan 28, 2021
  • #8
Anyone need a good used one ,still got it in the new Cardone's box, dam I'm starting to get like the general,just stashing stuff.
 
Reactions: General karthief

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
27,892
10,553
203
polk county florida
Jan 28, 2021
#9
  • Jan 28, 2021
  • #9
nickyb said:
Anyone need a good used one ,still got it in the new Cardone's box, dam I'm starting to get like the general,just stashing stuff.
Click to expand...
At least that wiper motor is useful, it still works
I just save 'stuff'
 

nickyb

I gotta say i never painted my nuts, Never Ever
15 Year Member
Apr 3, 2009
2,979
1,626
153
nevada
Jan 28, 2021
#10
  • Jan 28, 2021
  • #10
General karthief said:
At least that wiper motor is useful, it still works
I just save 'stuff'
Click to expand...
One man's junk, you know the rest. Ok no new ct. For me.
 

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
6,945
5,816
213
Feb 3, 2021
#11
  • Feb 3, 2021
  • #11
Someone needs to make an adapter harness from the 2 connector to the single 6 pin. There will be money there. If I had the skill I'd be all over it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Electrical HELP! 1989 5.0 Stick, Voltage Bleed onto Ignition Trigger wire
  • ChickenDeluxe
  • May 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
208
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 24, 2026
ChickenDeluxe
C
B
Taillight upgrade?
  • BeardIsRed
  • Feb 1, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
310
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 5, 2026
rednotch
F
Electrical From scratch: alternator wiring
  • fox racer v2
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
564
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 23, 2025
fox racer v2
F
I
98 Mustang GT dying
  • ItsMason
  • May 14, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
104
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 25, 2026
lenzgt
L
96 GT 4.6 w/ dirty spark plug well
  • Mustang Momma
  • Apr 7, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
3
Views
120
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 9, 2026
LILCBRA
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?