1996 Ford Ranger wiper problem

[Irish1968]

I am experiencing problems with the wipers. I will explain it best I can without repeating things. When I turn them on anything but HIGH, they don't work. Sometimes I can intermittently get the LOW to work, but rarely. The other problem is they don't return to the parked position, I have to time the wipers to the parked position. When they return downwards, I shut them off, otherwise, they stop where they are. Regardless what position they are in, they should finish the cycle and stop in the parked position, when I shut it off. I have changed the motor, thought originally that was the problem, but made no difference. I then changed out the wiper arm, worked for the moment I changed it, but several days later, when it rained, only the HIGH worked. I thought of changing the Central Timer Module, which when I checked it over, seemed fine, viewed the circuit board for cracks or bad solder, no visible problem. Now the thing is, that it does work on occasion, on LOW, have to play with it........leave on LOW, and turn the ignition on and off......which sometimes starts it. The variable speed worked when I changed the arm, but only that day when tested, now nothing. So, I either get used to looking like an idiot, running the wipers on HIGH when it is lightly rainning, play with the switch....ON and OFF, OR, someone come up with a good idea on what it could be. My only other "Redneck" option, was to hire a squeegee kid for a dollar, and have him ride on the hood to wipe it clear!!!!

[toddler62]

it sounds to me like it its in the switch on the steering column. Thats where you keep playing to make it work

[Crazy Driver]

check for the mount that the wipers are on. See if the screw is untightened.

[tom ryan97]

I recently had to change out an alternator, then smelled wire smoke
3 days later...discovered i had lost the wipers,dome light , and speedometer. I took it to EBS auto elec....they found that a screw
behind the instrument panel was rubbing on wires and over time had
created a short...fixed wipers and light but it fried speedo..so what!