OK, I'm taking a guess here, but it seems that all of the things you are having problems with have the Central Timing Module as part of their control circuit. This is the item that controls intermittent wiper speed, automatic timed shutoff of lights and the rear defroster, etc. If it is in "perma-off" mode, then none of those things would operate at all, I think.
What I don't know is if the CTM is replaceable by itelf, or is an integral part of the Central Junction Box (the fuse panel that folds down under the dash). The CTM is found on the rear of the Central Junction Box and is the item with the 20 pin connector (2 sets of 2 rows of 5 pins each on both sides of connector) and is labeled "C23" in the EVTM.
Hope this helps. I couldn't grab any pics as I can't find my screen grabber software.
