Rear Wiper Not Working

[Berrye]

I have a '99 Expedition EB with 5.4L and the rear wiper is not working. I cannot find a thread that addresses the symptoms I am experiencing and would appreciate help form the Forum.

The rear wiper does not operate in any position although the rear washer fluid does flow via the switch on the steering column. When the switch is in the on position, I do not feel any vibration or other indication that the wiper motor is attempting to run.

I've checked the fuses and all are good.

Any ideas?

 

[ExplorerTom]

http://www.expeditionforum.com/thre...motor-turning-but-not-moving-wiper-arm.10536/

Check out this thread.

I've taken my motor out a couple times and cleaned it. It would work for a little bit (like until I was done putting it back together) but then stop.

I took my arm off and set the control to the INT 2 position. I could hear the motor trying to work but it wouldn't move. I lightly tapped on the motor shaft with my channel locks and it freed it up and started working. Then I sprayed some PB Blaster onto the shaft and let it work in. Then I stretched the wiper arm spring (just like 2 coils) and put it back on. Seems to work. The real test will be in a day or 2.

 

[Al95]

Just replace the motor. I had to do this to my dad's two expedition. It was easy to replace.

 

[Berrye]

Thank you. I'll relax the spring and if that doesn't work, I'll replace the motor.

 

[georgeshannon]

The way I fixed mine was to remove the wiper arm and rotate it clockwise about 5 degrees and reinstall it. This results in the new docking position being about 1/2" below the dock. Lift the wiper into the dock. The wiper is now under tension. It operates when activated. The normal docking position is such that the wiper does not contact the switch elements. It needs to be rotated just a little so the switch elements make contact in the docked position.

 

[briangelc]

mine intermittently failed for a couple years. I think it was a faulty ground connection because removing the motor, then reinstalling it worked several time.
if finally died this spring so I replaced it. Part was available at Autozone for reasonable price.. EZ job

 

[ExplorerTom]

Seems to work. The real test will be in a day or 2.

Mine is back to not working. I may try the 5* re-clocking before I replace the motor completely. My motor works, it just won't always kick it off like it should.

 

[seawalkersee]

Mine doesn't work in the cold. As soon as it gets warm, there are no problems. I never thought about the park contact. I may try that just for grins.

SWS

 

[Berrye]

The way I fixed mine was to remove the wiper arm and rotate it clockwise about 5 degrees and reinstall it. This results in the new docking position being about 1/2" below the dock. Lift the wiper into the dock. The wiper is now under tension. It operates when activated. The normal docking position is such that the wiper does not contact the switch elements. It needs to be rotated just a little so the switch elements make contact in the docked position.

The 5 degree fix worked! Thanks for the tip.

 

[tcwaltz]

I think mine was related to a broken ground wire in the switch for the top glass. Basically the system thought the top glass was open and it wouldn't run the motor. Just like if you open the hatch it parks. That is something else to check for. I fixed mine when I replaced fixed the cables to open the hatch.

 

[Berrye]

The 5 degree fix worked! Thanks for the tip.

Update: it stopped working again. The 5degree fix didn't last too long for me.

 

[swagfu]

I actually changed the wiper motor and everything was great for about a week. Lots of rain tonight when I went out to the expy to drive home, the rear wiper wouldn't work. I am just curious, could it be the inside of the wiper arm wearing out? Thats about all I have left to change. I also thought it may be something in the stalk selector switch. But i don't know how to test it.

 

[ExplorerTom]

It seems like shaft that comes out of the motor gets bound up as it passes through the tailgate. It's like it galls.

When I dork around with it, I think that frees up the galling and it works for a day or so then gets galled up again.

 

[swagfu]

I saw the spring adjustment post somewhere. I will try that before replacing the arm. I know the motor isn't bad....actually don't think the old one was either. If I lift the arm a little, it works like it should. It just doesn't seem to want to lift from the resting position.

 

[swagfu]

Did the spring thing today and no luck. I don't even here the motor trying to move now. Is there a way to "reset" the system?

 

[rjdelp7]

The shaft, the wiper arm bolts to, is made of steel. The motor housing is Aluminum. It is a bad design, prone to fail. These two metals, react badly, in wet environments. The shaft fits snug in the housing. When it starts to corrode, it welds itself and stops working. I took mine apart and honed out the housing, to give it a little slop. The bigger hole, allowed for some anti-sieze or grease. It has been working again now, for over a year.

 

[ExplorerTom]

^yep. That was my thinking as well.

 

[Andy B]

Just replace the motor. I had to do this to my dad's two expedition. It was easy to replace.

Got a link?
I think I need to replace my rear wiper motor.