Just thought I would share this. Might be old news to some, so forgive me. As stated above, been having this problem. Wiper would not return to "park", battery would drain, etc. Took it to the dealer, who told me I needed a whole new rear wiper motor ($170 for the part, 3-4 hours labor). Told them "No, it's just easier not to use the rear wiper". Me being me, I decided to investigate. I had the rear hatch trim off anyway (got rear-ended last week), so I figured what the heck? With liftgate glass open, I turned the rear wiper motor on. Motor moved freely, easily and did not bind. So, took the motor out (easy) and found a manufacture date of 11/07! On a 2003 Expy! So, I tried to manually engage the wiper arm. It took some serious arm strength. So, unscrewed the arm, removed the trim, removed the outside nut, then the two inside nuts, and took the whole "pivot spindle" to my workbench. Gently pulled the spindle out of its sleeve and what do you know?!? The grease that is inside the tube (which helps keep it lubricated and moving freely) had completely dried out and turned "gummy", causing the whole thing to bind. Using my gun cleaning kit, sprayed solvent in, then used my gun bore cleaning brush and got it all out. Generously lubricated with new grease, reversed the removal procedure, and BAM! Wiper now moves freely, parks as it should, and is back to normal. So, instead of $300-$450 at the dealer, it cost me 2.5 hours of my own labor using things I already had.
It's like the problem I had with my power steering binding when I turned the wheel. Dealer said I needed a new rack and pump- $1200. Went home, took the fluid reservoir and tubes out, thoroughy soaked them in a gentle cleaner, dried, re-installed and added new fluid. Problem solved!
I wish I had taken pictures in case it would have helped others out. If you are having this problem, and the dealer says you need a whole new rear wiper motor, DON'T TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD! See for yourself first. You might be able to save some money! Now, if you have the $300 or so bucks to throw around to get it fixed, call me. I'll do it for you for that price!
It's like the problem I had with my power steering binding when I turned the wheel. Dealer said I needed a new rack and pump- $1200. Went home, took the fluid reservoir and tubes out, thoroughy soaked them in a gentle cleaner, dried, re-installed and added new fluid. Problem solved!
I wish I had taken pictures in case it would have helped others out. If you are having this problem, and the dealer says you need a whole new rear wiper motor, DON'T TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD! See for yourself first. You might be able to save some money! Now, if you have the $300 or so bucks to throw around to get it fixed, call me. I'll do it for you for that price!
, but has anyone had a problem with the rear wiper fluid line leaking inside the vehicle, specifically thru the rear dome light. its a 99...when i bought it i just thought the motor was bad. but when i tried the wiper fluid nothing happened then 10 seconds later there was fluid dripping thru the dome light
