# Replacing the wiper switch on a Ford Econoline E250?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-the-wiper-switch-on-a-ford-econoline-e250/84588>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** electrical-wiring, ford\
**Created:** [April 13, 2014, 5:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-the-wiper-switch-on-a-ford-econoline-e250/84588 "2014-04-13T05:38:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Gooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cab0a1/32.png) [@Gooch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gooch)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 5:38am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-the-wiper-switch-on-a-ford-econoline-e250/84588/1 "2014-04-13T05:38:32Z")

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I’ve had a Ford E250 for a while now that’s had a fairly annoying issue, at least when it’s raining.

The wiper switch/turn signal armature to the left of the steering wheel has a short in it somewhere (or a loose connection) and when I try to run the windshield wipers, they some times go and sometimes don’t. I frequently need to jiggle or rotate the end of the control switch to get the wipers going again.

I can get a replacement switch at a decent price, but having never replaced one of these before, I have no idea how complex a job it may or may not be. To those of you that have worked with replacing switches like this, how big of an ordeal is it? Do I have to pull the steering wheel or anything major, or is pretty straightforward?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 5:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-the-wiper-switch-on-a-ford-econoline-e250/84588/2 "2014-04-13T05:49:11Z")

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Don’t sweat it

DO NOT REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. IT’S NOT NEEDED

Now that we’ve got that out of the way . . .

Remove the upper and lower steering column trim. There’s 2 or 3 screws connecting the two halves.

Once you have those pieces off, you’ll see that the switch is attached to the column with 2 screws

Don’t worry about the airbag. As long as the ignition is off, and you don’t do anything stupid, like purposefully banging on the airbag, you’ll be fine.

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**Author:** ![Gooch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cab0a1/32.png) [@Gooch](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Gooch)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 6:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-the-wiper-switch-on-a-ford-econoline-e250/84588/3 "2014-04-13T06:08:16Z")

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Thanks! I was hoping it wouldn’t be too bad.

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**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 6:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-the-wiper-switch-on-a-ford-econoline-e250/84588/4 "2014-04-13T06:14:45Z")

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@Gooch‌

No problem

Please let us know when you’re done

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**Author:** ![rattlegas](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/rattlegas/32/2857_2.png) [@rattlegas](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rattlegas)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-the-wiper-switch-on-a-ford-econoline-e250/84588/5 "2014-04-13T18:11:20Z")

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You just need to peel the covers off the column, then unscrew the switch and remove the wire connectors. The whole job takes 15 minutes.