Windshield wiper motor comes on but wipers don't move...thinking that the assembly has come detached somehow. How does one get in to the area to take it all apart to re-attach?

If upon turning the switch, you hear either a buzzing or a noise coming from the wiper area but no movement of the windshield wipers, then it becomes likely that there is a mechanical problem. In front wiper systems, there are two moving parts, the wiper motor and the wiper transmission. In rear wiper systems with a single wiper, there’s a single moving part, the wiper motor.

If you hear a buzz, it could be a motor straining to move a jammed wiper transmission or a locked motor gear. If you hear a grind coming from the wiper area, it could be a stripped gear in either the motor, the transmission or where the wiper arm splines to the wiper motor in the rear. Don’t let the term transmission fill you with dread; it’s simply a term for a multi-lever set of arms and hinges that turn the circular motion of the wiper motor into the side to side motion of the wiper arms. It is also possible that the spline on the post of the front wiper arms is stripped.

Generally speaking, you can reach the motor and transmission by removing the wiper arms, all the screws that hold the cowl beneath the wiper arms and the weather stripping. Once exposed, you should be able to remove the motor from the transmission and check to see if the transmission is binding or if the motor is the culprit. Simply, replace the culprit, and reassemble.

If the problem is with the rear wiper system, getting to the wiper motor can be more difficult with far more trim to remove than with a front system. You may elect to consult your mechanic for help.

Possible wiper linkage has broken/seperated from wiper motor. The wiper cowling covering the linkage assembly will need to be removed to inspect/repair

It Sounds Like, Either The Arms Are Loose ,If You Can Hear Something Moving Behind The Dash,
Or The Linkages Are Seized ,If The Motor Just Hums No Movement Heard,In Which Case Try Spraying Q 20 On The Linkage And Try Moving The Wiper Arms By Hand To Get It Going Again,
If Not The Motor May Just Be Burn;t Out.

If both wipers don't move, could be the switch or the wiper motor.

The motor could be bad, but it's likely that the ball joint connections under the hood area under the cowl have become disconnected for the one windshield wiper arm.

The connection of the arm that moves should be checked for being at the correct angle for parking.
Removal & Installation 2000-03 Wiper Motor and Bushing Replacement L4-2.2L (Vin F) & V6-3.0L (Vin R) To Remove:

1. Before servicing the vehicle refer to the precautions at the beginning of this section
2. Remove the wiper arm finish caps
3. Mark both wiper arm positions on the windshield by using a wax pencil or tape
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Wiper arm retaining nuts and washers
   • Wiper arms
   • Weather-strip at rear of hood
     
     
     
     
   • Grill nuts from base of wiper arm shaft
   • Grill
   • Electrical harness connector from the wiper motor
   • Wiper motor retaining bolts
   • Wiper motor assembly from plenum area
   
   
   
   
   
5. If replacing wiper module bushings remove the steel bushing first then the rubber grommet
6. Remove the wiper motor from the transmission assembly

To Install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   • Wiper motor to transmission assembly NOTE: If the wiper module bushings were replaced install the rubber grommet first then the steel bushing.
     
   • Wiper motor to plenum area
   • Wiper motor retaining bolts; torque to 44 lb-in. (5 Nm)
   • Electrical harness connector to the wiper motor
   • Weather-strip at the rear of hood
   • Grill
   • Grill nuts to the base of the wiper arm shaft
2. Install the wiper arm assemblies at the marks made during removal or at the PARK position if a new wiper motor is installed
3. Install the wiper arm retaining washers and nuts; torque to 9 lb-ft. (12 Nm)
4. Install the wiper arm finish caps
5. Verify correct wiper system operation

1992-98 Vehicles

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the rear hood seal. Remove the wiper arm assemblies by raising the wiper blade off the windshield. Move the slide latch away from the pivot shaft and slowly lower the arm onto the latch. This unlocks the arm from the pivot shaft and holds the blade off the glass. Pull the arm from the pivot shaft.
3. Remove the cowl vent screws and disconnect the washer hoses from the washer jets.
4. Detach the electrical connectors from the wiper motor.
5. Remove the wiper assembly attaching screws, lift the assembly out and disconnect the washer hose.
6. Unsnap and remove the linkage cover.
7. Remove the wiper module assembly retaining bolts and remove the module from the vehicle.
8. Remove the linkage retaining clip from the motor operating arm by lifting the locking tab and pulling the clip away from the pin.
9. Remove the motor retaining screws and remove the motor from the vehicle.
10. The installation is the reverse of the removal.

Fig.: Lift up to release the clips and remove the hood-to-cowl weather strip



Fig.: Remove the cowl panel-to-firewall retaining clips



Remove the driver's side then the passenger side cowl panel from the vehicle






Fig.: Detach the electrical connector for the wiper motor

Release the wiper motor retaining clips and remove the cover from the vehicle






Fig.: Remove the wiper module assembly retaining bolts and remove the module from the vehicle






Fig.: Remove the wiper motor retaining bolts and ...





Fig.: ...remove the wiper motor from the vehicle




Hope helps (remember comment and rated this).

why do you think the motor still works if the wipers don't move? Can you hear the motor run or can you see a little movement when you turn the switch on?

What happens when you activate the washers?

go to a salvage yard that allows you to remove the parts yourself. Then you can see how the motor and linkage assembly comes out.


don't have 1983 info, but here is 1994:

Section 01-16A: Wiper and Washer System, Ranger/Explorer 1994 Ranger and Explorer Vehicles Workshop Manual
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Windshield Wiper System, Ranger/Explorer The windshield wipers are actuated by a permanent magnet, rotary-type electric windshield wiper motor (17504) . The two windshield wiper pivot arms (17526) and windshield wiper blades (17528) are mounted on a pivot shaft, one at each side of the windshield. The windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft (17566) are connected to the motor by windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip (17531) . Ranger and Explorer vehicles are equipped with an interval wiper and washer (IWW) system featuring a lever-type turn signal and windshield wiper switch (13K359) mounted on the steering column. The IWW windshield wiper governor (17C476) uses a relay contact to control current to the windshield wiper motor . The governor electronic circuitry controls the contact to supply current to windshield wiper motor . A rear wiper/washer system is available on Explorer vehicles. The rear window wiper system consists of a windshield wiper motor mounted inside the liftgate (40010) , an articulating windshield wiper pivot arm and windshield wiper blade , a windshield wiper/washer switch (17A553) and an inline circuit breaker. The front electric windshield washer system consists of a control switch, integral with the turn signal, a windshield washer reservoir (17618) and windshield wiper motor and the necessary windshield washer hoses (17A605) , windshield washer nozzle jet and brackets (17603) and attaching parts.
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Pivot Shafts and Linkage Removal and Installation
NOTE: The left and right pivot and windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip assemblies are serviced separately.

1. Perform Steps 1 through 9 of Windshield Wiper Motor Removal as described in this section.

1. If servicing left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip , remove left windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade assembly.

1. Remove left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip access cover.

1. Remove left pivot nut, lower windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip and slide it out through left access opening. For installation, follow removal procedures in reverse order. Tighten nut to 10-13 Nm (7-10 ft-lb). Make sure the clip is fully seated in the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip . Do not try to install clip with windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip on motor crank pin.
   

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Windshield Wiper Motor Windshield wiper motor are not serviceable. If worn or damaged, the windshield wiper motor must be replaced as an assembly. Removal

1. Cycle windshield wiper blades until in straight-up position and turn ignition switch OFF.

1. Disconnect battery and wiper motor electrical connector.

1. Remove the right windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade .

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).

1. Remove the right pivot nut and allow the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip to drop into the cowl top outer panel .

1. Remove the linkage access cover, located on the right side of the dash panel near the windshield wiper motor.

1. Reach through the access cover opening and unsnap the wiper motor clip.

1. Push the clip away from the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip until it clears the nib on the crack pin. Then, push the clip off the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip.

1. Remove the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip from windshield wiper motor crank pin.

1. Remove nut and ground strap.

1. Remove three attaching nuts from windshield wiper motor. Remove the windshield wiper motor .

Installation

1. Position the windshield wiper motor and install the three attaching screws. Tighten to 13.6-19.0 Nm (10-14 ft-lb).

1. Install nut and ground strap.

1. Connect wiper motor electrical connector.

1. Install clip completely onto right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip. Make sure the clip is fully seated. Do not put the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip on the motor crank pin and then try to install the clip.

1. Install the left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the wiper motor crank pin.

1. Install the right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the wiper motor crank pin. Pull the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the crank pin until it snaps into place. The clip is properly installed if the nib is protruding through the center of the clip.

1. Install the right windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and nut. Tighten the nut to 9.5-12.5 Nm (84-110 in-lb). NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the powertrain control module (PCM) (12A650) relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles or more to relearn the strategy.
   

1. Connect the battery ground cable and turn the ignition switch on. Turn turn signal and windshield wiper switch off so windshield wiper motor will park, then turn ignition switch off. Replace right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip access cover.

1. Install the windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade assemblies on the pivot shafts to dimension X. Dimension X is the distance between the centerline of the blade saddle and the top edge of the cowl top outer panel grille. The value of Dimension X for each vehicle is given in the Dimension X chart in the Specifications portion of this section.

1. Test the system.

Hello

The windshield wiper linkage comes as an assembly. The assembly comes with the two rotating splines that the wiper arms attach to. you must remove wiper arms. Remove cowl trim and remove bolts that hold the pivot points to the body. The new linkage that snaps to the wiper motor should come with a new retaining clip. You have to fish the linkage assembly through the access holes in the body by un bolting the wiper motor.

2002 Ford F-250 Windshield Wiper Motor Removal & Installation 1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position. Turn the ignition switch ON until the wiper blades are straight up, then turn the ignition switch OFF. 2. Disconnect the negative battery cable. 3. Remove the right-hand and left-hand windshield wiper arm and blade assemblies. 4. Remove the cowl top vent panels. 5. Detach the electrical hardness connector at the windshield wiper motor assembly. 6. Remove 3 wiper motor (module assembly) retaining bolts and remove the module assembly from the vehicle. 7. Remove the wiper linkage retaining bolt and remove the linkage from the wiper motor. 8. Remove 3 retaining nuts and remove the windshield wiper motor To install; 9. Place the windshield wiper motor in position and install 3 retaining nuts. Tighten to 10-12 ft. lbs. (12-17 Nm). 10. Connect the wiper linkage to the windshield wiper motor and install the retaining bolt. Tighten the bolts to 14 ft. lbs. (20 Nm). 11. Place the wiper motor (module assembly) in position and install 3 retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts to 6 ft. lbs. (9Nm). 12. Install the electrical hardness connector to the windshield wiper motor. 13. Connect the negative battery cable. 14. Allow the windshield wiper motor to cycle several times while checking for proper wiper motor operation. 15. Turn the windshield wiper motor to the OFF position to park the wiper motor in the park position. 16. Install the cowl top vent panels. 17. Install the wiper arm and blade assemblies. Install the retaining nuts and tighten to 22-29 ft. lbs. (30-40 Nm). 18. Connect the negative battery cable. 19. Check the windshield wiper motor for proper operation and the wiper arms for adjustment.