To maintain safety while driving, seeing out of your windshield is crucial. Whether it’s rain on the glass or bug guts all over the place, the wipers need to be functioning properly. If you notice symptoms of a bad windshield wiper motor, you will want to replace it as soon as possible to avoid a loss of visibility.
In this guide, we discuss the most common bad windshield wiper motor symptoms, explain how windshield wiper motors works, show you how to find your own windshield wiper motor, and summarize the regular cost to replace windshield wiper motors and your frequently asked questions.
Symptoms Of A Bad Windshield Wiper Motor
When a windshield wiper motor fails, the blades commonly operate slow than normal, at a single speed, or fail to move at all.
They might fail to stop where they should as well, and there may be some humming while the blades run. Each symptoms is reason enough to do some investigation.
#1. Wiper blades are slower than normal.
Most modern vehicles allow you to operate the wipers at different speeds serving your purpose. If you were driving in a drizzle you may select the lowest speed option to save the motor, or in a heavy downpour you might select the highest speed option.
If the wipers were operating slow after selecting the highest speed, the wiper motor may be failing or a switch or relay may be a problem. Don’t jump to conclusions until you gather details in troubleshooting these symptoms.
#2. Wiper Blades Move Only at One Speed.
It’s also possible that the wiper blades are failing to move at all speeds, and regardless of what speed you put them on they are still moving at the same speed.
With a wiper motor that receives a signal from the module, this could cause issues with either the wiper motor or the module. For that reason, it’s vital to conduct a succession of taxes before replacing any component.
#3. Wiper Blades Stop Moving Completely.
Unfortunately, there are even times when the wiper blades fail to move at all, with or without a motor sound. This situation is troubling, since you will not be able to wipe anything off the windshield.
A faulty motor is definitely a common cause for this issue. However, you may also check to see if a fuse is blown. Fuses blow when there is too much resistance within the circuit, but this usually involves some other defect that is the cause of the resistance.
If your wipers are still moving, at least just a little, then the fuse is probably not your problem. You only need to inspect this variable if your wipers are not moving at all.
#4. Wiper Blades Won’t Stop in the Correct Position.
When the wipers work as intended, they rest in the park position at the bottom of the windshield or whichever location is designated by the vehicle manufacturer. If the wipers have an off position, then they should have returned to the park location when the vehicle switch is turned to off. When they do not, there is a problem.
If the wipers stay in front of you when the system is turned off, it is difficult to see what is going on. You may still be able to operate the wipers when the switch is turned to the “ON” position, but they will return to the incorrect park position when you turn the switch off.
If wipers are stuck in an upright position and will not work at all, you probably have a blown fuse.
#5. Humming Noises.
Sometimes the above symptoms present with a humming sound. Even if the motor is completely dead, it should still have power sourced from the car which is what generates the hum.
If you are able to get close to the motor you can sometimes hear it more pronounced. While the wipers could be functioning correctly it is very rare, and if you hear that humming sound you probably would want to consider changing the motor before it completely fails.
What’s The Function Of A Windshield Wiper Motor?
The wiper motor is the windshield wiper’s “brain.” It serves as the engine for the wiper blades. It provides the torque necessary to move the wipers back and forth across the windshield to be cleaned.
This motor is conveniently mounted close to the blades to eliminate a multitude of additional components. This is how most windshield wiper blades function:
- You turn on the windshield wipers with a control stalk located near your steering wheel.
- A signal is sent to the electronic control module on the wiper motor assembly, which is activated by the switch.
- The module manages circuits, which tell the motor what to do.
- The relays and circuits send voltage to the windshield wiper motor.
- The wiper motor has a wire winding winch in its construction. When that winding receives energy, a reaction takes place and creates the force necessary to get the armature spinning.
- The armature spins, rotating a shaft with either a spiral or worm gear in it.
- This action rotates the plastic teethed wheel winch.
- The winch is attached to the pinion gear, producing movement that pushes the short arm or pushrod back and forth.
- The short arm is connected to the wiper linkage, creating action in the linkage arms that will smoothly move the wiper blades over the windshield surface back and forth.
Many of today’s advanced wiper blades will activate automatically when any precipitation starts to fall. Rain-sensing wiper blades are controlled with the computer electronic module in the motor along with the rain sensors on the windshield.
Furthermore, all of today’s wiper blades are equipped with a circuit to tell the wiper blades to return to the park state position. This way, no matter what position a user switches off the wipers, in some way or fashion, it will move through its cycles and stop in the home position.
Where Is The Windshield Wiper Motor Located?
Most windshield wiper motors are located on the firewall of the car, which is the partition between the engine and cabin of the vehicle. In most cases, the windshield wiper motor is easily accessible.
However, this is not always the case. If you are having trouble finding the windshield wiper motor, trace back the windshield wiper components. If that is not helpful, consult the information in the service manual.
How Do You Test A Windshield Wiper Motor?
Diagnosing the windshield wiper motor is not a difficult task. A few diagnostic test can provide you with all of the information you need.
- Start with the wiper motor fuse. Refer to your service manual for the specific location of the motor fuse. If it is blown, you will want to replace it with another fuse of the same amperage. If you replace the fuse and it blows again, you could potentially have a short electrical problem with the motor.
- Next, inspect the linkage. At this point, you will remove the cowl to expose the wiper motor and the linkage. Check the connections and clean off any debris and make sure there is no damage to the connection. If damage is observed, you will want to replace the linkage and see if the wipers work better.
- The last diagnostic test will be to test the motor circuit. Utilizing your digital multimeter, you will want to test the motor circuit. The specifics on how to complete this test should be in your service manual, and also specify what the readings should be. If the circuit appears to be okay, it may be time to try a wiper motor.
Nonetheless, working on windshield wiper motors is not complicated, yet sometimes you may discover tests are too difficult to work with, and you will need to enlist a professional.
Take the time to discover a dependable auto mechanic and let them assist you with the windshield wipers.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Windshield Wiper Motor?
Typically, the average cost to replace your windshield wiper motor can be somewhere in the range of $150 to $400. The windshield wiper motor itself costs anywhere from $50 to $225. If you have the ability to do the install yourself, you avoid incurring labor costs.
If you cannot, you will have to pay a mechanic to complete the work, and since it should take about an hour to install, that will cost $100 to $175 or depending on local labor rates.
Is it easy to replace windshield wiper motor?
Yes, it is typically a straightforward process that can be accomplished with basic tools. Depending on the accessibility of the windshield wiper motor, you may want to consider replacing it on your own.
The job should take no more than an hour at the most. Or you can rely on a mechanic for added security.
How long should a wiper motor last?
In many cases, the wiper motor can actually outlive the vehicle. This is not a failure-prone part, so you probably will only ever have to replace it once at most.
If you want to take care of the motor and keep it alive longer, regularly clean the car so debris doesn’t get into the motor workings of the wipers.
How long does it take to change a windshield wiper motor?
For a qualified mechanic, it should take less than an hour to change the windshield wiper motor, given that it is an easy part to access.
If you want to be the one changing it, the time can vary depending on your skill level. Regardless, it is a simple task that any home mechanic with basic tools can accomplish.
Is there a fuse for the windshield wiper motor?
Yes, if the wiper motor is overrun or experiences an electrical issue the fuse designed to blow and prevent damage to the other components.
If you want to find the fuse, then follow the diagram for your vehicle. After replacing it, talk to your mechanic, if any fuses ever continue to blow.
How many windshield wiper motors does a car have?
Your car may have one or two harnessed wiper motors. If a window has windshield wipers, it will also have a wiper motor that operates the blades. The wiper motor is housed in the front windshield area, and if you have wipers on the back window, it will have an additional wiper motor.
You probably don’t give much thought to your windshield wiper motor until it stops working and you can’t see out the front of your vehicle. This can be a dangerous situation, and can very quickly turn into a hazardous condition resulting in or contributing to an accident incident. For these reasons, you should never drive a vehicle that does not have working windshield wipers.
Troubleshoot the system to find out what will prevent the wiper blades from moving correctly. If it is something you can easily fix, then do it. If it is not something you can fix, take the vehicle to a local mechanic and have them replace the wiper motor before you drive it again.