My rear window wiper stops at one swipe and does not Move.

GFREITAS

MEMBER
1997 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE
135,000 MILES

Rear wiper stops and does not return when switched on. Doesn't seem to matter whether on delay or (full) on. Unplug power at the motor and try switch again, it returns to previous position. Seems then I have power to the unit. Opened and removed circuit board. Cleaned and siliconed gear shaft (it was not too corroded, as I've heard others can get) and resoldered contacts when repositioning circuit board. Motor clicks when switched on, but nothing more after the one initial swipe. Might it still be the motor, or should I now check the switch? Thanks.

2 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Never worked on a rear motor but it sounds exactly like the many I've fixed for that on the front. When the motor should be running, use a grounded test light to check for voltage on the metal case of the motor. If you find any, look for that motor to be mounted to the plate on rubber inserts, and for a brass grounding strap riveted to the plate and going under one of the mounting bolt heads. They arc a burned ring around the head, then stop working when that plate flexes and creates the intermittent connection. I can't remember if the rear motor is mounted like that, but the front ones always are to reduce vibration. If that's what you find, look for a place to attach a new ground wire, or drill a small hole in the plate and run in a self-tapping screw, then attach the other end of that ground wire to the body. Some older motors had the switch plate held on with five screws. You can use one of them to attach the wire to. That plate is riveted on newer motors.