Windshield Wiper Lever Problem

I did some searching but I couldn't really find anything relevant, so here it goes. It's kind of hard to explain, bear with me.



So I've got the intermittent wipers on my 4Runner (shouldn't be too different from the Tacoma's! ), and they work fine. All the different settings work.


You know how there's three different lever positions?

1) 1st position-intermittent controls (mist-light rain I guess?)
2) 2nd position-moderate rain
3) 3rd position-downpour


Ok so basically what's happening is that the 1st position doesn't work properly. The second and third positions work just fine. I'll pull the lever down the 1st position and nothing happens unless I apply the slightest bit of pressure upwards on the lever, at which point the blades will start working. However, as soon as I go over a bump or something, or sometimes the tension on the lever caused by gravity, and the wipers will stop and I'll have to apply a little bit of pressure to the lever again. It's almost like the lever is "loose" I guess you could say. It is VERY annoying.



Hopefully that kind of made sense. I can get a video tomorrow if I need to.



Any takers?

 

Not the wrong section at all! 1st gen Tacomas and 3rd gen T4Rs are pretty much the same vehicle.

 

Plus nobody would see it in the other section.

 

Whole damned thing is just wrong......the website, vehicle, basically everything.

TACOMAworld.

Sorry I have nothing to add. Good luck. I'd think pulling it apart is necessary, maybe a lose wire or some sort of contact point. I've never had one apart.

 

But I hope not, that sounds difficult.

 

Bump

 

Sounds to me like the wiper switch is bad. Obviously you have power to the switch since the other settings work and you also have power to the wiper motor since it works on the other speeds as well. Which leaves the selector switch as the problem. Tme to replace the switch.

 

Hard/expensive?

 

Here's the video.

 

switch is bad or the interment module for the wipers has gone out.

Did you check the fuses i dont know if the module pulls from other source with out looking at the wiring diagram on it.

 

That's the thing though, the individual intermittent settings all work just fine. It's just the fact that when I pull the lever to the first position, nothing happens unless I apply a little pressure upwards on the lever. I don't think it's a fuse.

 

Sounds like the switch to me and nothing else. As you stated, when pressure is applied it works. That says switch.

 

So I just need to replace the lever?

 

Yes, just replace the switch. I expect if you do a search here you will find instructions for replacing the switch. I assume they would be around the cost of 2nd generation Tacoma wiper switches ($90-100). Given the age of your truck, I do not think I would get one from a salvage yard if you plan on keeping it for awhile. Be sure you get the variable switch when ordering, there is little difference in the price.

 

So the dealership is my best bet?

 

try ebay first