Truck shuts off when intermittent windshield wiper are used

[BIG Country]

My truck (1999 F-350 Diesel) runs fine except when the intermittent windshield wipers are used. At idle, the motor will stop. At normal road speed (~55 mph), it will miss or skip periodically. I have investigated and have found that the problem is not moisture related. On a hot, dry day, I turned the wipers on intermittent and the engine did miss/skip. Also, if the wipers are on the Low, High, or OFF positions, the engine runs fine with no skip/miss. The engine is only affected when wipers are on intermittent.

Is the problem outside at the wiper motor or is it in the blinker/wiper handle on the steering column or is it somewhere else? I know what causes the problem, I just don't know how or where to look to repair the problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[niall9]

I have the same situation on my 99 F350 7.3 also. The motor dies when the blinker is turned on, and cuts out on intermittent wipers. Would some one please advise us? Naturally, the Ford dealer said it wouldn't mess up when they tried to replicate the problem.

[goon]

when I go back to work, I will try to look up the wiring diagram and figure out the wire to trace.

[goon]

I had a chance to look up the wiring diagram. I can not see in the book why it would shut done because of the turn signal or wipers!!!!!!!

[jason99]

My '99 7.3's been doing the same thing for about a month now. Only noticed it dying in the rain and saw it was related to the wipers last night when I went to clean the windshield at a stop light. Haven't determined yet if it's only when the wipers are intermitant or on full. Truck runs fine otherwise. I'll post anything else I find on here.

[niall9]

Is it possible that wires in the steering column are getting frayed and exposed?

[jason99]

Maybe. A friend of mine said something about the wiper control module being behind the glove box so I'm going to check that out. It's interesting these are all '99 trucks. I've been talking to a guy from another website, also with a '99. I checked alldata.com but didn't see anything as far as TSB's or recalls.

[BIG Country]

I have asked several diesel techs from 2 different dealerships about the problem. Neither say they have ever heard of anything like it before. I am still searching for someone to help. Let me know if you come up with anything. Thanks.

[niall9]

This weekend I'm going to change the cam position sensor and see if that makes a difference. I took it to Ford and they never duplicated my problem. They were glad to fix other things but didn't mention the cam sensor as a possible solution. Here is another link I found that may be related. Ford 7.3 Stalls, no apparent reason
I'll re post after this weekend.

[BIG Country]

I had the cam position sensor replaced (Ford RECALLED the 7.3L). It was the root of all of my truck issues. Thanks.