Wiper motor — check and replacement
Wiper motor circuit check
1. If the wipers work slowly, make sure the battery is fully charged and in good condition (see Engine electrical systems). Check for binding linkage and pivots. Lubricate or repair the linkage or pivots as necessary. If the wipers are still operating slowly, replace the motor.
Wiper motor replacement
Windshield wiper motor
2. Remove the windshield wiper arm retaining nut covers, then remove the nuts. Be sure to mark the position of each wiper arm in relation to its splined shaft (see illustration), then remove the wiper arms.
i.2 Pry off the trim caps and remove the windshield wiper arm retaining nuts, then mark the relationship of each wiper arm to its splined shaft before removing the arm
3. Remove the hood seal and cowl covers (see Body).
4. Remove the windshield wiper linkage/ motor assembly mounting bolts (see illustration), then disconnect the electrical connector from the windshield wiper motor.
i.4 To detach the windshield wiper linkage/motor assembly from the cowl area, remove the two bolts on each end and the one bolt in the middle (driver’s side bolts not shown)
5. Mark the relationship of the linkage arm to the wiper motor shaft and base plate. Separate the windshield wiper linkage from the wiper motor (see illustrations).
i.5a Mark the relationship of the linkage arm and the motor mounting bracket to ensure that the arm is correctly realigned during reassembly
i.5b to separate the windshield wiper linkage from the linkage arm, pry the two halves of the spherical bearing apart
i.5c Using an adjustable wrench (shown) or a pair of large adjustable pliers to immobilize the linkage arm, loosen the arm retaining nut and remove the arm from the motor shaft
i.5d Mark the relationship of the linkage arm to the motor shaft, then remove the arm from the shaft
6. Remove the windshield wiper motor mounting bolts (see illustration) and separate the motor from its mounting bracket.
i.6 To detach the windshield wiper motor from its mounting bracket, remove these three bolts
7. Before installing the windshield wiper linkage (especially if you’re installing the old linkage), be sure to grease the moving parts.
8. Installation is otherwise the reverse of removal. Be sure to align the marks you made between the linkage arm and the motor mounting bracket and between the windshield wiper arm and the motor shaft.
9. Turn on the windshield wipers and verify that the wiper motor operates correctly in all modes.
Rear window wiper motor
10. Open the hatch. Remove the hatch trim panel (see Body).
11. Remove the windshield wiper arm retaining nut cover, then remove the nut. Be sure to mark the position of the wiper arm in relation to its splined shaft, then remove the wiper arm.
12. Disconnect the electrical connector from the rear window wiper motor.
13. Remove the three wiper motor mounting bolts.
14. Remove the rear window wiper motor.
15. Installation is the reverse of removal.