Wiper control module service procedure (also hazard flasher and buzzer box)

["ksgrimsr" <knut.s.grimsrud@xxxx>]

Notice: This message contains informative content based on first-hand experience rather than speculation and conjecture.

I had occasion to remove my wiper control module the other day (after 
150K miles in Oregon rain, the relay contacts were finally too 
carbonized to make good electrical contact). The service manual 
instructions for this procedure reads something like "remove 2 screws 
securing module." Although the service manual is correct that the 
module is secured with 2 screws, the instructions trivialize the 
procedure and are wholly unhelpful if you actually find you need to 
remove the module.

After having removed my module, I thought I would share the simplest 
procedure for doing so. This procedure applies to the winshield wiper 
control module, the hazard flasher unit, and the buzzer box which are 
all mounted to the same sub-panel. The panel is mounted above the 
steering column under the dash on the driver's side.

Step 0 (optional): If you have a large frame and find the driver's 
footwell to be a tight squeeze, remove the driver's seat. I'm small-
framed (although reasonably tall) and found no reason to remove the 
seat, but for someone that is large framed, removal of the seat gives 
you a lot more maneuvering room.

Step 1: Remove the rubber gasket from around the dashboard air duct 
that mates with the door duct when the door is closed.

Step 2: Remove the plastic air duct trim piece and retainer that the 
rubber gasket was attached to. Over the years the plastic has become 
brittle, so removal of the plastic piece must be done with care. 
There are 2 tabs on the plastic piece that must released slightly in 
order to allow the piece to be removed.

Step 3: Remove the round duct that was attached to the plastic 
retainer and trim piece. With the trim piece removed there is 
sufficient play to allow removal of the round duct.

Step 4: Working underneath the dash, locate the plastic duct that 
connects from the central console area to the round duct just 
removed. The plastic duct is held in place with a U bracket that is 
secured with two screws. Remove the two screws and the U bracket.

Step 5: Working underneath the dash, release the plastic duct from 
the console side and remove the plastic duct by threading it out 
towards the driver's side of the footwell.

Step 6: Working underneath the dash, the subpanel is now accessible. 
The subpanel is located above the steering column and is accessible 
from the driver's side. The subpanel is snapped in place using clips 
and the entire panel can be removed by pulling it loose. There is 
sufficient slack in the wiring harness that the panel can be pulled 
free and brought down into the footwell.

Step 7: With the panel hanging in the footwell, the wiring harness 
connectors can be removed and the entire panel freed.

Step 8: NOW you can remove the wiper control module by unscrewing the 
two screws that secure it to the subpanel (as indicated in the 
service manual).

I hope someone might find this helpful.

Knut