Hi-ya! good morning, at this time we will created an article about Troubleshooting a Wiper Motor
Windshield wiper motors come with varied features depending on the car manufacturer and model. Some engines have three speeds, others include a built-in interval mode for light rain and fine mist, and others come with a reverse gear to adjust the wipers below the hood line. These are all very convenient features, but the windshield of a car with a bad engine in a heavy rain is just as bad as a car without brakes. Here you will learn to troubleshoot wiper motor.
If you have a basic understanding of electricity or if you have the patience and challenge you want to learn the general procedure for troubleshooting a wiper motor.
Steps to troubleshoot a wiper motor:
The steps you must follow to fix the problems or inconveniences in the windshield wiper motor are the following:
- Make sure the battery has a strong charge and is in good condition. Use a voltmeter to get a reading if necessary.
- Connect a jumper wire between the ground and the wiper motor. Turn the key but don’t start the engine and turn on the windshield wiper switch. If the motor runs, check to see if the ground connection is corroded or loose.
- Turn the car key but don’t start the engine. Turn on the wipers and check the voltage at the wiper motor with your voltmeter. If you get a good voltage reading, turn the key and turn off the motor, then disconnect the motor from the wiper connection.
- Move the wiper arms with your hand (in their normal direction). If they are stuck, then you have found the problem. If the wiper arms move freely by hand, go to step 5. If the voltage is not reaching the motor, go to step 6.
- Remove the wiper motor by disconnecting the plug and removing the bolts with a wrench or ratchet.. Use a pair of jumper cables to connect the wiper motor directly to the battery. If the motor doesn’t work, replace it.
- Flip the key to start the car but don’t start the engine. Get a voltage reading across the wiper switch. If there is voltage, use a jumper wire to bypass the switch, if the motor now runs, replace the switch, otherwise go to step 7. If there is no voltage at the switch, go to step 8.
- Check the continuity of the cable between the switch and the motor. The cable may be loose or disconnected.
- Also check the wire coming from the fuse panel to the wiper switch.. It could be disconnected or loose.
Tips
Before beginning any troubleshooting test on any automotive electrical system, always make sure that the fuse or breaker for the particular circuit is in working order. Many problems originate at this point and are too often overlooked. (You may be interested in reading about: Fuse Box).
It’s a good idea to have the wiper motor wiring diagram for your particular vehicle on hand whenever you’re troubleshooting circuits. Most vehicle service manuals come with wiring diagrams for the different electrical systems..
Items you will need
- Voltmeter
- Set of keys or ratchet
- 2 jumper cables 1 to 2 feet long
Windshield wiper motors come with varied features depending on the car manufacturer and model. Some engines have three speeds, others include a built-in interval mode for light rain and fine mist, and others come with a reverse gear to adjust the wipers below the hood line. These are all very convenient features, but the windshield of a car with a bad engine in a heavy rain is just as bad as a car without brakes. Here you will learn to troubleshoot wiper motor.
If you have a basic understanding of electricity or if you have the patience and challenge you want to learn the general procedure for troubleshooting a wiper motor.
Steps to troubleshoot a wiper motor:
The steps you must follow to fix the problems or inconveniences in the windshield wiper motor are the following:
- Make sure the battery has a strong charge and is in good condition. Use a voltmeter to get a reading if necessary.
- Connect a jumper wire between the ground and the wiper motor. Turn the key but don’t start the engine and turn on the windshield wiper switch. If the motor runs, check to see if the ground connection is corroded or loose.
- Turn the car key but don’t start the engine. Turn on the wipers and check the voltage at the wiper motor with your voltmeter. If you get a good voltage reading, turn the key and turn off the motor, then disconnect the motor from the wiper connection.
- Move the wiper arms with your hand (in their normal direction). If they are stuck, then you have found the problem. If the wiper arms move freely by hand, go to step 5. If the voltage is not reaching the motor, go to step 6.
- Remove the wiper motor by disconnecting the plug and removing the bolts with a wrench or ratchet.. Use a pair of jumper cables to connect the wiper motor directly to the battery. If the motor doesn’t work, replace it.
- Flip the key to start the car but don’t start the engine. Get a voltage reading across the wiper switch. If there is voltage, use a jumper wire to bypass the switch, if the motor now runs, replace the switch, otherwise go to step 7. If there is no voltage at the switch, go to step 8.
- Check the continuity of the cable between the switch and the motor. The cable may be loose or disconnected.
- Also check the wire coming from the fuse panel to the wiper switch.. It could be disconnected or loose.
Tips
Before beginning any troubleshooting test on any automotive electrical system, always make sure that the fuse or breaker for the particular circuit is in working order. Many problems originate at this point and are too often overlooked. (You may be interested in reading about: Fuse Box).
It’s a good idea to have the wiper motor wiring diagram for your particular vehicle on hand whenever you’re troubleshooting circuits. Most vehicle service manuals come with wiring diagrams for the different electrical systems..
Items you will need
- Voltmeter
- Set of keys or ratchet
- 2 jumper cables 1 to 2 feet long
