QuestionQUESTION: Hi....first I want to thank you for sharing your expertise in this manner, I think it's really great of you to do so.
I recently picked up a 1995 Toyota 4Runner...all systems were working fine until a couple days ago, now the windshield washers front and back quit working altogether, and the rear wiper quit also. The front wipers still work, but not on intermittent. I've checked the fuse, and my Haynes manual shows a wiper relay in the circuit, but won't tell me where to find it on the vehicle....I'm wondering if that could be bad?
ANSWER: The relay is built into the front wiper motor, the rest of the controls are located in the wiper switch, my best guess would be to replace the wiper control switch. Make sure the rear windoe is all the way up, if it's not the wiper won't work.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: thank you for your answer (I must admit I was hoping it wasn't the switch, but.....) is replacing that switch a rather delicate operation that would be best left to a mechanic, or is it relatively easy for a DIY?
AnswerI'd recommend getting the new switch from the dealer first to see what it looks like, I think it comes seperately so the entirecombination switch won't have to be replaced or you may want to check the salvage yards and get the complete switch and save some money, in either case the steering wheel has to be removed as well as the air bag, if it has one, if so the battery should be disconnected, the steering wheel has a 19mm nut, after removing it the steering wheel can be wiggled and pulled of, no puller is needed.
