1996 Ford Explorer electrical issues

Grab your test light or voltmeter, unplug wiper motor, On some fords this can be done right above the brake booster at the firewall, or remove the wiper arms and cowl vents and unplug it at the motor. Turn the switch to high speed and check for 12v at the dark blue/orange wire. If voltage is present, test the white wire with switch in the low position, if again there is power, replace the motor. Get back to me with findings! There are two more parts it could be, the GEM(generic electronic module) EXPENSIVE! or the Multifunction switch, or it could be just a loose connector at any of these!

no there is no power to either the blue/orange or white wire..

my son-n-law cut all the wires to the radio was told the wipers worked before he did this and lost the plugs to the back of the radio so i cant just reconnect them.. would this make any differance?

I would need to look at the grounds, if there is a common ground, then it could... You can try running a two wires from the battery + and - with an inline fuse on the + one to the wiper motor plug and see if the wipers run...if they do, then go to a junkyard and clip the ends off that you need and solder them on...

thanks, which one is the positive wire on the wiper motor? sorry, which one is the negative?

Black, or just place ground from battery on the motor housing.

thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it. can you help me with a dodge dakota also? the truck just went dead on us. We have spark from the coil to distributor cap, but nothing coming from distributor cap to plugs?

First thing to check are the wires, then the rotor and cap. Then the next question is engine size and year?

it is a 1997 dodge dakota, 318 . we took coil to automotive parts store was told it was ok. put on new wires and cap, cps. checked the voltage going into the coil, both tested with light and meter.

This is the first thing we need to do, then post any codes that flash on MIL.
Using Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) 1. Ensure battery is fully charged. Turn ignition on and note operation of MIL. The MIL is located in message center above instrument panel. When ignition is first turned on, MIL should come on and remain on for 3 seconds to verify bulb and circuit operation and then go off. 2. Attempt to start engine. Turn ignition off. Without starting engine, turn ignition on, off, on, off and on within 5 seconds. Record 2-digit Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) as displayed by flashing MIL. 3. For example, DTC 24 will be displayed by 2 flashes, short pause and then 4 flashes. A short pause will exist between first and second digits on DTC. If more than one DTC is stored, after first DTC is displayed, there will be a longer pause and then another stored DTC will be displayed. 4. Once all DTCs are recorded, proceed to retrieving DTCs using scan tool to ensure all DTCs are obtained. See USING SCAN TOOL. NOTE: If MIL does not come on for 3 seconds and then go off, bulb circuit may be defective or problem area may exist on wire between between Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and instrument cluster.

the only code it gives me is a 12?

12 = intake air temp circuit, low input, Check both the ECT(engine coolant temp) and IAT Intake air temp sensors with a cold engine, they should be at the same resistance, and if you have a scan tool that can read sensor data, they should also have the same temp reading. Replace both if they don't!