When wipers are turned off on they stop mid windshield. if you turn them on and off quickly at some point they will go back in the normal off position. any advice what to try first?

Welcome to CVN.

I have the same problem occasionally. The advice on here seems to be the problem is related to the multi-function switch. Do a search on it and you'll come up with lots of info.

Also, to get better help, you should post info about your year and model.

Nope, most problems is the wiper motor itself. It is not servicable.

I had to replace my wiper motor. Don't buy a cardone unit! I bought a doorman replacement and couldn't be happier.

thanks guys, im going to replace the motor this week. and appreciate the welcome

I had the same problem and after reading this site, bought a reman motor and replaced it. One problem I ran into was the passenger side crank had rotated 180 deg from its normal position. I took care of that and now my wipers work fine. There was a lot of leaf debris under the cover which I vacuumed out. it took me a while to go all this thought, I'm new at repairing my CVPI. I usually work on my Mercedes and the hood goes vertical and is much easier to repair windshield wipers etc. Maybe Ford can change the design to add that feature.

Thanks for the 'Body of Knowledge' forum.

I have the same problem from time to time, either they don't park or they don't work at all from the not-parked position. All I've ever done is open the cover, clean out the leaves and junk that's built up (clogging the drain), and sprayed some WD40 on the mechanism. Works immediately every time.

very urgent:

if the wiper still in this state you described and no change happened till today that meanes you just need to clean

the wiper motor's clutch from mud:

1-NEVER dont use the wiper AGAIN or else you will damage the clutch
2-remove the wiper motor fuse in driver side under steering (after disconnecting negative battery)
3-you need to clean and maintain the hole wiper system

use BOTH following links as they sequenced:

a- http://www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1426479#Post1426479
b- http://www.supermotors.net/19772

MINE JUST STARTED TO DO THE SAME THING. UNTIL I GET A NEW MOTOR I FOUND OUT THAT IF YOU PUT THE WIPER TO INT. MODE AND WAIT TIL IT RESTS THEN TURN IT OFF AT THE RESTING POINT, THEN IT WILL RETURN TO ITS "OFF" POSITION

GOOD advice

If the Clutch mechanism is jamming then the wiper motor is drawing power the entire time the car is on. I would just shut the switch off when the wiper was near the lowest point and did not think much of it. A few weeks later......

The motor burst into flames!!!11!!

Didnt realize that i had it on caps lock.lol funny picture! I see you have to have tough skin on this site!!!

You don't look at what you're typing???

Noobs need proper hazing!! This is one of the NICER forums on CVN!!