Windshield Wiper Lever Problem

[derekabraham]

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, 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? :redbrick:

 

[derekabraham]

Day time bump so people might see this thread.

 

[derekabraham]

Video:

 

[Devious81]

You're switch is worn out. Get a new one. I believe that a 98-03 sienna wiper switch/stalk will interchange with the 3rd gen 4runner, and has the rear wiper switch. That may open up your junk yard availability. Pretty easy to replace.

 

[derekabraham]

You're switch is worn out. Get a new one. I believe that a 98-03 sienna wiper switch/stalk will interchange with the 3rd gen 4runner, and has the rear wiper switch. That may open up your junk yard availability. Pretty easy to replace.

How "easy" is easy?


Keep in mind I'm not very mechanically inclined...



Is there some kind of write-up somewhere?

 

[Devious81]

Take apart the steering column cover, if I remember right, just 3 screws. One on the bottom, and two on the steering wheel side. When you turn the wheel you can see those. There is one plug on the bottom of the switch, and I can't remember if it clips in, or screws. Here's a pic of the column cover. You don't need to take apart the airbag or steering wheel.

 

[derekabraham]

Take apart the steering column cover, if I remember right, just 3 screws. One on the bottom, and two on the steering wheel side. When you turn the wheel you can see those. There is one plug on the bottom of the switch, and I can't remember if it clips in, or screws. Here's a pic of the column cover. You don't need to take apart the airbag or steering wheel.

Wow man, that's awesome. Thanks for all the info! Perhaps I'll try to attempt this tomorrow, if I can find the parts.

 

[derekabraham]

So basically all I should need is a new lever?