Component Test - Windshield Wiper Motor

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Do not handle the windshield wiper motor abusively when diagnosing the wiper operations. Failure to follow this caution may result in damage to the motor magnets and will make the windshield wiper motor inoperative. Rough handling of new windshield wiper motors may also damage the motor magnets.

NOTE: Windshield wiper motor component test is carried out to determine if windshield wiper motor and module are functional and not in software safe mode. Refer to WIPERS AND WASHERS for software safe mode parameters.

NOTE: Battery voltage must remain within 10 to 15 VDC to carry out test and keep windshield wiper motor from entering its software safe mode.

NOTE: When connecting the power and ground test leads to the windshield wiper motor terminals, care must be taken to not short terminals between power and ground, as well as making sure the logic ground, pin 3, is always securely connected to prevent permanent windshield wiper motor module damage.

If the windshield wiper motor does not pass any of the following tests, install a new windshield wiper motor. REFER to WINDSHIELD WIPER .

Use SABRE Premium Battery and Electrical System Tester to test the windshield wiper motor.

Fig 1: Identifying Windshield Wiper Motor And Using Sabre Premium Battery

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

To test the windshield wiper motor, remove the windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft from the windshield wiper motor.

Disconnect the wiper motor. Connect the (1) green lead from the (2) SABRE to the battery negative (-) post. Connect the red lead (3) from the SABRE to the wiper motor (4) component side connector ground and logic ground pins 6 and 3 (3). Connect battery positive cable (5) to windshield wiper motor (4) component side connector battery and logic positive pins 5 and 8 (5).

Low Speed

Test the low speed mode by connecting a separate set of test leads from battery ground (-) post to windshield wiper motor (4) component side pins 9 and 10 (6). When these pins are grounded, the windshield wiper motor operation should now be in low speed mode.

High Speed

Test the high speed mode by connecting a separate set of test leads from battery ground (-) post to windshield wiper motor (4) component side pins 1, 9, and 10 (7). When these pins are grounded, the windshield wiper motor operation should now be in high speed mode.

Washer Pump Relay (Integral)

Test the windshield wiper motor internal washer relay function by measuring the voltage between windshield wiper motor (4) component side pin 7 (8), and ground while grounding the windshield wiper motor (4) component side pin 12 (9). When wash command input pin 12 is grounded, measured voltage should read 10 volts or greater.