Ford Repair: 1997 Mercury Sable - turning on blinker affects wipers, mercury sable, hello jeff

Question
My 1997 Mercury Sable has an interesting problem. If I have the wipers on an intermittent speed setting (not the highest), and turn on either the left or right blinker (all on the same lever), the wipers will go at their full speed. As soon as the signal is off, the wipers return to their variable speed. If I jiggle the stick when this happening, I can make the wipers go back to their 'normal' speed.

I'm wondering if this is a DIY project - if so where should I start? ... Or if I were to take it to a dealer, would/should it be a 'simple' fix. If not - then this certainly isn't a bad enough problem for me to worry about! It's more an annoyance when it's lightly raining out and I'm in heavy downtown traffic.

Thanks for any advice you can provide!!

Jeff

Answer
Hello Jeff, Sounds like there is a short in the multi-function switch for the wipers/lites. In order to replace the trim is removed from the steering column and the switch is secured to the column, it may also need the the connector replaced also. Takes about a hour to hour and a half to repair. Hope this helps Thanks Tony