1997 Ford F-150: windshield wiper failure

Filed Jan 24, 2017 · Electrical · 189,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at 68 MPH, the cruise control and windshield wiper blades stop operating, along with the driver side window inadvertently opening. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the computer that controls the cab needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The failures persisted and the vehicle was taken to another dealer where the contact was informed that the new computer was not operable and was told that the computer was on back order. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,000.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Visibility · 200,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While driving at 60 MPH, the windshield washer independently activated and obstructed the contact's visibility. In addition, the windshield wipers were activated, but failed to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2011 · Visibility · 240,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that he was driving with the windshield wipers engaged. As he attempted to open the windows, the front windshield wipers and windows failed. The vehicle was neither inspected nor repaired for the failure. The contact called the manufacturer who provided no assistance. The current and failure mileage was approximately 240,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2009 · Airbags, Visibility · 125,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While driving 65 MPH in a rainstorm, the windshield wipers stopped working. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. He was able to drive the vehicle after the rain stopped. A mechanic stated that the gem module was defective and reinstalled the gem module, as well as installed a new ignition switch. The wipers failed again while driving in normal conditions. The mechanic stated that the gem module he installed from ford was defective. After the repair, the warning lights illuminated, including the air bag light. The mechanic cannot diagnose the cause of the failure and determine if the air bags work. Prior to the gem module failure, several components were replaced on the vehicle. At 30,000 miles, the engine was rebuilt. The current and failure mileages were 125,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2008 · Driver assistance · 43,000 miles · VA

Water intrusion into gem module causing failure of wipers, electric windows, interior lights and engagement of electronic 4wheel drive to work. Usually triggered after rain and lasting for days. See tsb 98231 the federal safety agency 603715. This is an ongoing problem.

Filed Nov 24, 2008 · Electrical, Visibility · 106,750 miles · AR

Windshield wipers failed during rain, managed to pull off road safely. (other electrical devices failed as well) wipers no longer work. Vehicle is out of service until repaired. Ford is aware of problems. See ford technical service bulletin 98-9-13 and ford special message #15773 .

Filed May 2, 2008 · Engine, Visibility · TN

1997 ford f-150, wipers quit while using them in rain, head gasket leaks oil on exhaust which intern smokes and could possibly cause fire.

Filed Oct 27, 2007 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · VA

I am now having the water leak issue into the gem due to faulty windshield seal. It is starting to cause electrical system malfunctions. The following is a tsb released by ford: ford special message #15773 various electrical conditions resulting from water intrusion into the gem/cjb some 1997-2002 expedition and 1998-2002 navigator vehicles may exhibit various unusual electrical conditions, including but not limited to: front or rear blower or eatc staying on with key out of the ignition, radio staying on after doors opened and key out of ignition, wiper circuit failure codes, and multiple system warning lights with 'short to power' or 'low battery voltage' dtcs. These symptoms most often occur after a rain or snow. This may be due to gem/cjb water intrusion resulting from a windshield water leak. To service, remove the gem and cjb from the vehicle, separate them and inspect for water contamination or corrosion. If found in either component, replace both components and completely reseal the windshield. After doing some research on the internet I have found that I am not the only soul experiencing these issues. Apparently ford is not fixing this obvious manufacturing defect at their expense but passing it to the customers. This is obviously a ford issue that they have known about for quite some time. Please help with resolving this issue as some people have spent in the thousands fixing issues that this water intrusion issue has caused.

Filed Aug 6, 2007 · Acceleration, Electrical · 110,487 miles · KS · fire

Vehicle was parked in driveway with doors locked and ignition in the off position. No one was near or in the vehicle. Looked out window and noticed what looked like mist from a water sprinkler from the front side of truck. Looking closer, I realized it was smoke and then saw flames from the tire well and under the hood by the windshield wipers. Called 911. The fire department arrived very quickly, putting the fire out. Their assessment was it was an electrical short which had caused the fire. The fire caused the hood hydraulic lift to explode like a rocket, hitting the windshield, cracking it and then shooting off into the yard. The frames inside the engine housing by the drivers tire burnt the housing completely away. The wiring has been completely burned and melted away inside the engine compartment. All the plastic fluid containers melted, the entire engine housing, engine and all electrical components under the hood were burned up or damaged in some way by this fire. The truck will not start or run. None of the lights work, radio, heat, air or power functions work. The truck is totally inoperable. I contacted the insurance company and they directed me to this site to look for fire related defects and to file a complaint. The truck has not been repaired as it is beyond repair since all the wiring and most of the insides under the hood have burned up or melted.

Filed Jul 16, 2005 · Electrical · MI · fire

I had been having issues with my truck, cruise control quit working, had some fuses blown under hood that were repaired, then check engine light had come on for about a week. Then my 1997 f-150 xlt spontaneously combusts in driveway. Had been parked for over an hour. Persons driving by alerted me to the fire, when I went outside, the windshield wipers were on and flames were shooting out of hood nearly 10' in air. Then the car alarm went off and at some point the doors unlocked themselves. Police and I extinguished fire, but there is extensive damage.

Filed Apr 26, 2005 · Acceleration · FL · fire

I purchased a 1997 f150 on friday april 22, 2005. Truck was seemingly in excellent condition. I drove the f150 truck to work around 40 miles on tuesday april 26, 2005, parked and went inside. About 2 hourrs later I saw smoke from the engine compartment. We opened the hood, and found that a fire had erupted on/near the brake system/brake booster. We put out the fire within about 1 minute from seeing the smoke. The damage was contained to the driver?s side engine compartment, including; brake fluid reservoir/booster, power distribution box/fuse box, wiring along firewall, hood and paint, windshield, wiper motor/wiper, vent between hood and windshield, dash, inner driver?s side fender. Insurance company was notified, outcome pending.

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Electrical, Locks · 105,000 miles · CA

Consumer claimed that electrical light,windows, and locks were inoperable. Also, windshield wipers failed. Consumer will take the vehicle to dealer for inspection this week. *ak the A/C unit, dome light, and no check engine light.