1998 Ford Expedition: windshield wiper failure

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 100,000 miles · WI

We have our expedition for a while and we know the people who owned it before us. While it is raining and days after the power to the truck does not turn off. The radio will turn on, the blower for heat or air will keep blowing, the lights will turn on, the four wheel drive will stop, ABS will stop, and the wiper blades will not work. So because the electrical items will turn on at random, they drain the battery and the truck will not start the next day. We found out that due to manufacturing error, the windshield leaks water into the general electric module. The other problem is the part not only expensive, but if you buy one and it does not work, it is not returnable. And that was told to us by multiple dealerships. So basically ford knows of the problem and it is a safety issue and has done nothing about it.

Filed Dec 21, 2009 · Electrical, Visibility · 65,000 miles · WA

I have a 98 expedition, windows roll down, stereo come on heat turns on, all dash panel warning lights come on and off,the air bag light go on and off,and the wipers and overdrive go on and off ,the starter tries to start while running it started few years ago on occasion when it would rain now everytime ,found out the windshield leaks water on the fuse box and some other generic box, I feel ford should fix the expedition its there default look on the internet ,there are lots of other people with the exact same prob. Please help.

Filed Jul 25, 2005 · Visibility · 95,200 miles · NJ

When it rains water leaks onto the gem module and fuse box under the dashboard left of the steering column. Some of the effects are, windshield wipers stopping, transmission going into limp mode with od light flashing, battery going dead if raining overnight, speedometer not working, heater fan running while off, left front power window not working, and instrument panel warning lights flashing on and off. Everything comes back to normal after it dries out. I had the windshield replaced. I had the new windshield resealed twice. I had to replace the battery. I still can see water dripping next to the parking brake. I have browsed the net and found that this is a common problem with expeditions and f150's. I would like ford to take responsibility and repair this defect.

Filed Jun 20, 2005 · Electrical · 173,883 miles · MI

I just started experiencing about 2 years ago about the same problem described in the the associated press article on the cnbc financial web page. During extreme periods rain, dampness or high humidity, my truck would not run correctly. It started out with the speedometer not working (or the cruise control), but drove fine down the road. Then as time & months went on the symptoms seemed to get worse. Besides the speedometer not working or the cruise control when it rained, the transmission started not shifting at its normal ''shifting points'' & the overdrive light on the gear shifter would flash on & off repeatedly. When it was dry out or if I used the floor heater when it rain, it would run ok. Then one day in the rain all the ''idiot cluster lights'' in the dash would all start flashing on & off with a ''clicking or switching'' sound from under the dash. It got to a point during a heavy rain that all of the above would happen at the same time over a 40 mile drive, & the rear window wiper would stop working in mid-wipe & the vehicle would start loosing power. At this point I took it to my local ford dealer & told them the same things. Finally after the 2 visits & another hour to hour & a half to diagnose & troubleshoot the problem they told me that my windshield was leaking somewhere & was causing the problem. They said ford had a ''tsb'' technical service bulletin out. They found both the ''gem & cjb'' modules (part #''s f852-14b205-ka & f752-14ad68-ba) under the dash all ''wet & corroded'' & needed to be replaced at a cost of $589.94 just for the parts plus $74.95 hr. Labor & a $7.50 hazardous waste for a repair order charge. I took my truck to a local glass shop to find the leak & replace the seal. They discover that the ''seal'' for the windshield was leaking at the top near the rain cutters on the roof & running down the ''a'' pillars & was also starting to rust that area near the support structure for the glass.

Filed Jan 20, 2005 · Visibility · 40,000 miles · CO

Front windshield/wiper fluid dispenser: cross-country road trip - failure to dispense wiper fluid. Sporadic dispensing of wiper fluid on road trip and continues to this day. Pushing button hard & at different angles sometimes works.

Filed Jan 13, 2005 · Electrical · CA

The vehicles the multi-function switch (combination turn signal, windshield washer/wiper) had a design or assembly flaw. *bf the original switch was replaced under warranty due to corrosion in the washer . A few months later the replacement failed.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Lights, Visibility · 100,000 miles · TX

The turn signal indicators failed. A recall was issued. However, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak the vehicle's wiper also failed.

Filed Aug 13, 2003 · Visibility · 70,000 miles · NC

Power windows, front and back fail to operate. Drivers side will power down, but will not power up. Sometimes when I continuously operate the switch I can hear a clicking noise almost like something is not connecting. I have not yet taken it to a dealer to investigate because I am afraid the cost to 'fix' will be hugh. I have also had probles with the rear window wiper. It has never worked consistenly. I had it worked on one time, the dealer said it was locked up and fixed it. It worked about twice and has not worked since, that was about a year ago.

Filed Jan 31, 2003 · Visibility · AK

Consumer was having problem with wiper back and front driver side, werenot working at all. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information.*ak

Filed Oct 22, 2002 · Visibility · IL

Front and rear wipers and washers stop working. Will work if turn signal is activated. Dt

Filed Sep 10, 2002 · Steering · IL

Wipers/washer don't always work. Will work if turn signal is turned on.

Filed Mar 17, 2002 · Body · GA

Rear wiper has never performed as expected, it has been replaced once and repaired twice. It doesnt work at all currently.