How to Diagnose Your Car's Non-Functioning Windshield Wiper Motor

If you have windshield wipers that don't move when you turn them on, check out this video! We'll show you how to diagnose the wiper motor, so you can find out if the problem is electrical, or mechanical! Then you'll know what needs fixing to get the wipers going again!

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⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While 1A Auto strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. 1A Auto is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

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[massachuchic]

Hey Mike thanks for the info got my test light checked out my power supply and fuses everything was fine so i took out the motor and low and behold there was a nut just sitting there upon further inspection said nut came from the motor turny thing after a few tries in different positions I replaced said nut and wipers working fine now and it only cost me five bucks for a test light so thank you very much.

[rickyrick]

The wiper motor itself may not be bad. There is a small circuit board (on some wiper motors) underneath a plastic cover that may have cold solder joints that need to be resoldered.

[e.robbins]

My motor went out and my car (2013 Focus) did the freak out with the wipers and just quit on me. My fuse is fine, but now, TIME FOR THE NEW ONE! Thanks for the vid.

[billvojtech]

I have not done any testing yet. The intermittent setting stopped working. Is there a conductor for it in that connector, in addition to the high and low you tested? Is the intermittent function controlled by some sort of chip in the switch on the steering column? BTW, I have an Impreza, but it looks much the same.

[FrancisMucheru]

My harness in the same but when I test the ground it lights in three wires. Is it a shot?

[sammyat]

Thank you for excellent videos. My front and rear wipers are not working. Checked all fuses. Changed the switch (2012 ford escape) and nothing. I just bought this car and didn't check the wipers because the blades were really bad. Can both motors (front and back) go at the same time? what I should be checking?

[juans]

By any chance, does the voltage to the windshield washers pump pass through this wiper motor assembly? My 2005 Trailblazer has good fuses/relays/ windshield pump BUT doesn't work! It WILL work if I supply 12V directly to the pump. I don't have a wiring diagram.

[aylorsfarm]

Good informative Video, my 2014 rav4, 's Wiper won't come on unless I manually try to move the arms then it comes on only on high. the rear ones work perfectly. I am stumped

[audiemuniz]

Thanks for your video my won't work on slow speed only fast speed.2010 civic.could be a wiper motor?

[Ynotaminute]

so what is the remaining fifth hole slot that wasn't tested? (the green wire/bottom right)

[qwnzswagg]

If you don’t have the wiring diagram to refer to, when testing the connector to see which pin has power and ground. Can you damage the test light or the connector?

[patrickmcleish]

what about the other wire you didnt touch or test?

[geralddesrouleaux]

I was told the motor was good so on my 2014 jeep grand Cherokee how check the fuse if not that what can I’ll do about the wiring?

[crashryanphoto]

Hey, I have a 1991 Chevy Cavalier and sometimes the windshield wipers/radio/clock don't work. Does this sound familiar? Sometimes my dad would spray WD40 into the ignition key hole, and it would work. Unfortunately, not anymore. Trying to understand what parts I may need to order to correct this.

[KEVINMORGAN-bh]

what about wipers that move the speed of the second setting on the first setting?

[javamochafrap]

My son has a 2006 honda civic. The low and intermittent speeds do not work. Fast speed works. I replaced the switch and relay but it still does not work. What else could it be?

[jimbohn]

I would have like to have also seen you bench test the motor itself.

[AlexKost-tqbj]

My wiper motor works but the wipers come to rest in the middle of the windshied (even thought they rotate edge-to-edge in the correct span while running). What gives?? Is there some sort of stop 'catch' inside the motor that forces the wipers to stop at the bottom of their span while the motor might still be winding down?

[georgebrown]

Hi mike I have a 2014 acadia and wiper only works on high or pulse wash. How do I chech the multifunction wiper switch