FREE REPAIR MANUALS & LABOR GUIDES 1982-2013 Vehicles
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Component Tests and General Diagnostics

The following is a list of general wiper motor system problems, the tests that are to be performed to locate the faulty part, and the corrective action to be taken.

Whatever the problem, disconnect motor wire harness and clean the terminals, then connect motor wire harness and test.

Refer to Wiring Diagrams for circuit information and connector call-outs.

MOTOR WILL NOT OPERATE ALL SWITCH POSITIONS

Fuse Block:




1. Check fuse 1, in the fuse block .
a. If fuse is OK, go to Step 2.
b. If fuse is defective, replace and check motor operation in all switch positions.
c. If motor is still inoperative and the fuse does not blow, go to Step 2.
d. If replacement fuse blows, go to Step 6.

2. Disconnect motor harness connector.


Windshield Wiper Motor Connector:




3. Check motor low speed. Using two jumper wires, connect one jumper wire between the battery positive terminal and terminal 4 of the motor connector. Connect the other jumper wire to the battery negative terminal and terminal 1 of the motor. Check motor high speed, connect the positive jumper wire to terminal 5 of the motor connector. Connect the negative jumper wire to terminal 1 of the motor.
a. If motor does not run in high or low speed go to Step 4.
b. If motor does run, go to Step 5.

4. Using an ohmmeter, check for good ground at terminal 1 of the motor. If OK, replace motor. If not repair the ground circuit as necessary.
5. Check terminal 2 of wiper switch connector for continuity to ground. If OK, go to Step 6. If not OK, repair the ground circuit as necessary.


Wiper/Washer Switch Connector:




6. Using a voltmeter, with wiper switch connected, connect negative lead to terminal 1 of the motor. Connect the positive lead to terminal 4 of the wiper switch connector.

a. If no voltage, repair wiring as necessary. If OK, go to Step b.
b. Check wiper switch low speed. Connect voltmeter positive lead to terminal 6 of the wiper switch connector. Move wiper stalk to LOW position. If no voltage, replace switch.
c. Check wiper switch high speed, connect voltmeter positive lead to terminal 5 of the wiper switch connector. Move wiper stalk to HIGH position. If no voltage, replace switch.

7. Disconnect motor connector and replace fuse 1 in fuse block.
a. If fuse does not blow, replace motor.
b. If fuse blows, disconnect wiper switch and replace fuse.
c. If fuse does not blow, replace switch.
d. If fuse blows, repair wiring as necessary.

MOTOR OPERATES SLOWLY AT ALL SPEEDS
1. Remove wiper arms and cowl screen. Disconnect motor linkage from motor. Connect an ammeter between battery positive terminal and terminal 4 of the motor connector. Turn wiper motor on and check ampere reading.

If motor runs and ammeter reading is more than 6 amps, go to Step 2. If less than 6 amps, go to Step 3.

2. Using an ohmmeter, check the high and low circuits for a short to ground. Refer to Wiring Diagrams.
3. Check to see if wiper linkage or pivots are binding or caught.

WIPERS RUN AT HIGH SPEED WITH SWITCH IN LOW SPEED POSITION OR WIPERS RUN AT LOW SPEED WITH SWITCH IN HIGH SPEED POSITION.
1. Check for crossed wires in the motor pigtail wire connector. Refer to Wiring Diagrams.
2. Check for crossed wires in harness connector from wiper switch to motor.
3. If OK, replace wiper switch.

WIPERS WILL OPERATE CONTINUOUSLY WITH THE SWITCH IN THE INTERMITTENT POSITION WHEN WIPER SWITCH IS TURNED OFF, WIPERS STOP WHEREVER THEY ARE WITHOUT RETURNING TO PARK POSITION.
1. Check at terminal 1 of the motor for a good ground.


Windshield Wiper Switch Harness Connector:




2. Turn ignition switch OFF. Disconnect the wiper switch harness connector. Using an ohmmeter with the motor in the park position, check for continuity between terminal 2 of the wiper switch harness connector and terminal 1 of the motor. If continuity, replace wiper switch. If no continuity, repair wiring as necessary.

WIPERS DO NOT OPERATE WHEN WASHER MOTOR IS ENGAGED (PULSE WIPE) OR WIPERS DO OPERATE IN INTERMITTENT POSITION.
Check for a good ground at terminal 1 of the motor and at wiper switch terminal 2. If OK, replace wiper switch. If not OK, repair wiring as necessary.