1998 Ford Expedition Rear Wiper Motor

MANUELJSS

MEMBER
1998 FORD EXPEDITION
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
129,000 MILES

I recently (three days ago) changed the rear wiper motor on my 1998 expedition -this is the THIRD motor in two months- and it just did the same as the others. It stopped moving.
I can actually hear the motor running, but the arm just doesn't move.

The first motor I removed came with the truck when I bought it last Nov. 1st, 2008 and it wasn't working already, so I replaced with one of those
re-manufactured ones from Advanced Autoparts, it stopped moving within two months, but the motor actually made a clicking sound when I turned it on, so I assume the relay is working.
I replaced this ''new'' motor, again at Advanced Autoparts with one from the same re-manufacturer since it was under warranty, and three days later it did exactly the same, it works perfect one moment, the next time I want to turn it on it doesn't move, but the motor is making that clicking sound that means the relay is working, because I try the two speeds that the truck allows me to set, and I can hear that sound in slow and fast intervals.

I don't think the truck has an electrical problem because the motor receives power, it just doesn't move, if the fuse was blown it wouldn't even send power, of course, and this is driving me crazy, any help would be appreciated.

I already changed the wiper arm too, and the nut that connects the arm to the motor is tight, so the motor is not turning and leaving the arm "behind".

P.S. The front wipers work perfect, never failed, and they are controled from the same lever next to the steering wheel as the rear one, and the truck has no other electrical problems whatsoever, everything else works fine.

5 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello

Okay if I understand you correctly the motor works and then brakes? Is it possible to get your money back and get a motor from a different manufacture? It appears that the motors you are getting are defective or the inside shaft gears are not strong enough to handle the wiper movement.

Also, is there anything that may be blocking the wiper arm thus causing a stress on the motor and stripping the gears?

If you remove the wiper arm does the motor then turn with no problem and continues?

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Saturday, February 7th, 2009 AT 8:20 PM

MANUELJSS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The motor was working for a few days, then on any given day it just won't go anymore, it didn't brake while it was on, but rather I turned it off and then the next time I need to turn it on, it's not working anymore.

I already removed the arm and the motor still don't move, but it receives power because I can hear it.

You are the second person that actually suggest that the gears inside the motor could be failing and I should try to buy the real thing from the dealer, or at least one from another carrier, like NAPA, not remanufactured.

Also, I was reading that it could be an open circuit between the switch and the motor, and to be honest with you, I don't have an idea what this means.
The switch for the rear wipers is located in the same place as the one for the front wipers, on the lever on the left side of the steering wheel that one uses to set the directional lights when you are going to make a right or left turn, and everything else on that switch/lever assembly works.

Anyway, I'll try to find out what the problem is, if a brand new motor doesn't do the trick, it's got to be something electric, and this is bad because, even though I regularly do the mechanic repairs in my vehicles, I don't understand anything about car electric systems. Thanks for your help.

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Sunday, February 8th, 2009 AT 4:09 PM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
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Hello -

Hold off for today.......I am checking your wiring....... So please stand by

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Sunday, February 8th, 2009 AT 10:46 PM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

Sorry on the delay....... Minor technical difficulties.......

Okay - It is hard to tell but I think your motor connector plug has a black wire and one is purple/yellow. I would remove the wiper blades and connect 12V to the purple/yellow and ground the black and see if the motor turns okay.

Let me know what it does

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Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 AT 8:06 PM

LOLO70

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1 POST

Hey guys, I have similar problem went to change my rear wiper blade. Hit the switch nothing, switch the water which came out the bottom forgot it was missing the black square nozzle. That work for 30 seconds than stopped. Checked fuses ok. Heard a clicking sound coming from back where the motor was for 5 seconds I got the wiper shifted back and fourth a bit and got a little rumble out of the motor. 9 pm only thing open was autozone so I bought a new one plug it in and nothing. I tried 12 volts to the purple/yellow and grounding the black one got sparks what does it mean?