Wiper Motor - Windshield

CAUTION: The magnets in the windshield wiper washer motor can become damaged if the motor is jarred.

CAUTION: The ammeter must have a range of at least 10 amps DC to prevent damage to the ammeter.

NOTE: Use an external 12 volts DC supply which can be loaded to at least 10 amps, or use fused battery voltage.

Measure the voltage drained by the front wiper motor.

Fig 1: Measuring Voltage Drained By Front Wiper Motor

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Switch off the ignition.
Remove the windshield wiper motor.
Remove the component electrical connector.
CAUTION: Mount the windshield wiper motor firmly, so that the wiper linkage can move freely.
Connect the negative terminal of the ammeter to pin 1 of the windshield wiper motor.
Connect the voltage supply negative to pin 3 of the windshield wiper motor.
Connect the voltage supply positive to the positive terminal of the ammeter and switch on the voltage supply. Read the current on the meter as the windshield wiper motor runs at high speed. The reading should be about 3 amps.
Switch off the voltage supply and disconnect the negative terminal of the ammeter from the windshield wiper washer motor.
Connect the negative terminal of the ammeter to pin 2 of the windshield wiper motor and switch on the voltage supply. Read the current on the meter as the windshield wiper motor runs slowly. The reading should be about 2 amps.
Switch off the voltage supply.

Check the limit switch.

Fig 2: Checking Limit Switch

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The windshield wiper motor must not be at the rest position.

Connect the voltage supply positive to pin 2, the voltage supply negative to pin 5 of the front windshield wiper motor. Using test cables, connect pin 3 with pin 4 on the windshield wiper motor. Switch on the voltage supply. The windshield wiper motor must run at slow speed and stop in the rest position.

If it does not, install a new windshield wiper motor. Refer to WIPER MOTOR - WINDSHIELD in this article.

Fig 3: Connecting Voltage Supply Positive To Pin 2

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Measure the resistance between pin 5 and 3 of the windshield wiper motor.

If the resistance is less than 1 ohm the motor is OK. If not, install a new windshield wiper motor. Refer to WIPER MOTOR - WINDSHIELD in this article.