My wipers are working only some of the time, motor runs.. wipers don"t

Something in the assembly is binding and stripping out the motors. Check the pivots in the linkages for friction and wear.

How do you know motor is fine, you jumped a wire across from battery to motor? if what you say is correct then it has to be the wiper control switch, if when u jump wire across and motor turns but not wipers the the attachment from motor to wiper assembly is stripped, disassemble and find if it's shaft or plate that's stripped happens when people don't clean windows off from snow ice and just turn wipers on.

This is an old but very current problem also. I just replace my second 97 caravan motor in 6 months because of severe grinding noise and it was the motor both times. I got another re-mfg replacement motor last week and it is totally quiet.
Before you install the crank arm on the motor you operate the wiper switch in all positions to check that the computer is running it intermittently, slow and fast etc. that it and shuts it off at the same position every time. That shut off position is park.
Unplug the external motor connector or fuses. Now push the mechanism arms fully to the right and install the crank arm at two o'clock on the motor shaft, which gives you just enough room to install the hold down nut. Hold one of the metal bars so you don't turn the motor during tightening the nut.
Now reconnect the power plug and test the operation. The motor should shut off with the right end arms fully extended, which, when connected with the blade arm, will make them stop at the bottom of the windshield. Install the driver side wiper arm slightly above level and the left arm 4 inches below that. Don't power tighten yet. Test the operation. If they hit each other adjust one or the other away. This works for most all wiper adjustments. When you get everything looking right and sweeping the full window and not the body. Start tightening and putting every thing back together.
Also clean out the wiper pan and the two drain hoses. The hoses can be pulled loose below the pan. LOL

try to find the wiper motor when it is running.i am not sure where it is. some wiper motors are inside the cowling under the wiper arms making it hard to get to. if you see it try connecting a seperate wire,positively to the metal of the motor and a good engine ground or back to the battery.if it works fine now try to locate the original ground wire connection,it may be right next to the motor screwed into the body or the wipermotor mounting itself.

a screw is missing from the part u attatch the whper to

HI. This is a possible motor issue. To confirm, use this procedure. it will help isolate the actual issue at hand.

1.Make sure the battery has a strong charge and is in good condition. Use a voltmeter to get a reading if necessary.

2.Connect a jumper wire between ground and the wiper motor. Turn the key on but don’t start the engine. Turn the wiper switch on. If the motor works, check for a corroded or loose ground connection.

3.Turn on the car key but don’t start the engine. Turn on the wipers. Check for voltage at the wiper motor with your voltmeter. If you get a good voltage reading, turn the key off and disconnect the motor from the wiper linkage.

4.Move the wiper arms by hand. If they are stuck, you have found the problem. If the wiper arms move freely by hand, go to step 5. If voltage is not reaching the motor go to step 6.

5.Remove the wiper motor by disconnecting the plug and removing the bolts using a wrench or ratchet. Use a pair of jumper wires to connect the wiper motor directly to the battery. If the motor does not work, replace it.

6.Turn on the key 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 works now, replace the switch, otherwise go to step 7. If there is no voltage at the switch, go to step 8.

7.Check for continuity at the wire between the switch and the motor. The wire could be loose or disconnected.


8.Check the wire coming from the fuse panel to the wiper switch. It could be disconnected or loose.

I have the same problem with my 1989 Dakota. I found a part: A-1 CARDONE Part # 40387 which is listed as a Wiper Motor. Is that the same thing?

HI. This is a possible motor issue. To confirm, use this procedure. it will help isolate the actual issue at hand.



Step 1

Make sure the battery has a strong charge and is in good condition. Use a voltmeter to get a reading if necessary.

Step 2

Connect a jumper wire between ground and the wiper motor. Turn the key on but don’t start the engine. Turn the wiper switch on. If the motor works, check for a corroded or loose ground connection.

Step 3

Turn on the car key but don’t start the engine. Turn on the wipers. Check for voltage at the wiper motor with your voltmeter. If you get a good voltage reading, turn the key off and disconnect the motor from the wiper linkage.

Step 4

Move the wiper arms by hand. If they are stuck, you have found the problem. If the wiper arms move freely by hand, go to step 5. If voltage is not reaching the motor go to step 6.

Step 5

Remove the wiper motor by disconnecting the plug and removing the bolts using a wrench or ratchet. Use a pair of jumper wires to connect the wiper motor directly to the battery. If the motor does not work, replace it.

Step 6

Turn on the key 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 works now, replace the switch, otherwise go to step 7. If there is no voltage at the switch, go to step 8.

Step 7

Check for continuity at the wire between the switch and the motor. The wire could be loose or disconnected.

Step 8

Check the wire coming from the fuse panel to the wiper switch. It could be disconnected or loose.

check wiper motor ground wire.make sure its tight not corroded.check wiper motor for binding or remove wiper motor hot wire to see if run with out stopping.if it run with out stopping its has a faulty switch or binding.spray pivots and linkages with WD40 to help lubricate them.if wiper motor dont continue running or stop while hot wiring it.replace wiper motor.

1. check the fuse to the rear wiper motor
2. check for power to rear wiper motor at the motor (power wire going in to the wiper motor with rear wiper switch on)
If you have good fuses & have power going in to the rear wiper motor...
3. Pull old rear wiper motor and install a new rear wiper motor.
Thank you please drive thru......