egladman

Let us know if it the new motor corrects the problem or not, and the cost of the motor... if it does fix the problem I'll be running out to get a new one installed

It took me a while to get to it, but I have found a solution to our wiper problems. And it'* FREE!

Here'* what was wrong with mine, for those who don't know. My wipers would not park below the hoodline for a long time. Lately, they were about 4-6 inches up at the tips. And they didn't seem to go as far up the windshield as they had either, so I knew that they hadn't just slipped on their spindles.

Here'* how I fixed it:

1) Remove the metal trim piece from the base of the windshield (three sheet metal screws, 7mm socket).

2) Remove the 6 or so sheet metal screws holding the plastic piece covering the wiper mechanism (uh... 7mm, I think). Remember that the two longer ones go on the sides.

3) Remove the drivers side wiper. On mine there is a little tab that must be pried away, and then the whole assembly is pried off (carefully, and it can be a PITA).

4) Gently lift up the plastic cover and take a look at the wiper linkage. The linkage will be held to the motor with a single nut. That first link is attached to the second piece by a ball-type joint, and the second piece attaches to the rest of the linkage with two screws. First, remove the two screws (8mm socket, and the wipers must be in the "parked" position to get to them easily). Then remove the nut attaching the linkage to the motor. It may stick a bit, but it should pull off.

5) The link that attaches to the motor should have two bends in it, in order to provide clearance for the motor nut. On mine, the first bend was over-bent (from heavy snow, I can only assume). The two ends should be parallel to each other, and mine were not. More of a bend there will cause less movement of the wiper mechanism, thus our problem. A tiny difference there causes a huge difference in the wiper travel, much more than one would think. Bend it back into shape, if necessary (I used a large vise, a large punch, and a large hammer).

6) When everything looks as it should, re-attach it to the motor. Then, manually move the linkage and "park" the passenger side wiper where it should be - below the cowl, on it'* stop. With the two screws (removed earlier), re-attach the linkage, pulling the two parts together as you do, because the holes are slotted for adjustment (for those of you who didn't find that your linkage was bent, this adjustment will solve the problem).

7) Put all of the little screws back where they came from in the reverse order of their removal. DO NOT over tighten the little sheet metal screws. Two of mine were already stripped (from the factory??) and I did another one myself.

note: step 8 may be omitted if you want to achieve that ricey "one wiper" look

8 ) Re-install the drivers side wiper arm. It might be easier if you stop the wipers up on the windshield. Light pounding may be necessary (use a wood block). Then push the little locking tab back in place.

And that'* it. My wipers went from barely adequate to perfectly parked. They also go farther to the edge of the windshield and move faster (makes sense, I guess - more distance from the motor shaft increases the end speed of the first link, and thus the entire linkage). Any questions?