Intermittent Wipers.

[Powerman5K]

Hey folks. Been a while since I've last posted. After my accident, I've been waiting for the right deal to come around for my rebuild. That deal finally came about! For $200, I got everything pictured:

The list includes:
Hood
Driver fender
Driver door
Bumper
Splitter
Grill
Bezels
Cowling
Headliner with all the trim
Steering wheel horn cover
Radiator

Needless to say, I was very pleased with myself and there is NO rust on any of the parts and the headliner was just a bonus.

The guy let me pick his truck for $200. I'm regretting not taking more. I'm considering offering another $50 to comb over it once more. In particular, I want the chrome trim around the windshield as it is in mint condition. Also, I'd like to have intermittent wippers.

Does anyone know if the 85 XL came standard with intermittent wippers? If not, is there a way to tell if they are?

[ArdWrknTrk]

Try turning the knob counter clockwise.
If it does, the truck has intermittent wipers, and you need to get the speed governor that is screwed to the parking brake, as well as the grounded wiper switch.

[Nothing Special]

I did have an '85 XL with intermittent wipers.  So yes they were available, but I think it was an option.

Jim explained how to check and what it needs.

[Danny G]

The module plugs right into the back of the switch so you cannot miss it. If the wiper motor is in good shape grab that for a spare as they don't make the correct replacement without modifications.

I like grabbing other odds and ends as well like the fuse box cover, any jacking tools that most trucks are missing.

If there is any bonus items like the engine compartment light, aux battery tray, vacuum canister/ball, any vacuum modules off the lines, the grill air intake and under hood toolboxes.

If the bezels are good everyone knows to grab those but the HVAC control box and vacuum actuators, buzzer module behind the glove box, any of the black boxes under the dash for like engine control or speed control.

Ash trays/chrome parts. If it has a good map light set, and chromed cargo light.

[ArdWrknTrk]

The module is on a metal stalk attached to the parking brake assembly. The shock of releasing the pedal is what cracks the solder joints on the heatsink inside.

[Danny G]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

The module is on a metal stalk attached to the parking brake assembly.

The shock of releasing the pedal is what cracks the solder joints on the heatsink inside.

So instead of fixing that weakness they just put "Do Not Drop" on the outside

[Powerman5K]

Alright, so I went back and got the above parts for the intermittent wippers of a later model. I'm sure I'm missing something. What am I missing? As you can see, I have the motor, knob, and some type of box that's a fuse? Relay?

I also got the chrome windshield trim off of him as it was in better shape.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Most of us just wrap it in foam rubber and tuck it up behind the fuse panel.  🤷‍♂️

Definitely not one of Ford's "better ideas"
I've certainly 'fixed' a lot of them.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I don't recognize the 3A20 number, but the module is pretty much a cap that is charged by the potentiometer in the switch, this triggers a long enough pulse to move the wipers off park, they then cycle back to park.

Be aware the later motor uses a different plug.

[BigBrother-84]

Powerman5K wrote

Alright, so I went back and got the above parts for the intermittent wippers of a later model. I'm sure I'm missing something. What am I missing? As you can see, I have the motor, knob, and some type of box that's a fuse? Relay?

You need the knob AND the module.
I grabbed this pict on eBay:

[Gary Lewis]

Or you could use the pic we have on the page at Documentation/Electrical/Windshield Wipers:

[Powerman5K]

So will my existing wiper motor work once the new box is plugged into it?

[BigBrother-84]

Yep!  It's plug'n play.

Just install the replacement switch and its control module and that's it.

The "off" position is in the middle.
From "off", turn counter clockwise and the intermittent gets slower.
From "off", turn to the right and you'll find the slow and fast continuous speeds.

[ArdWrknTrk]

You need to be sure the ground wire of the delay switch is firmly attached to the dashboard frame.
There should be a screw by the fuse panel.