What is causing my wiper motors to go bad?

WALTERWHITMYER

MEMBER
1999 JEEP WRANGLER
130,000 MILES

I have a 99 Jeep Wrangler. I replaced a bad wiper motor recently. The new one worked when I put it in, and then when I used it the first time driving in the rain it stopped after about ten minutes. The fuse is good. The sprayer still works. Any idea what might be causing the motors to go bad?

5 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Are they new or used motors?

The area they are located is subject to all kinds of weather. Make sure the drain is open for the water to drain from the area.

Roy

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Monday, July 23rd, 2012 AT 1:53 PM

WALTERWHITMYER

MEMBER
3 POSTS

They are "new" ie, remanufactured motors. The boot that goes over the motor was dry rotted and unserviceable, so I covered the whole thing in electrical tape. I'll check to see if the area is draining. Thanks.

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Monday, July 23rd, 2012 AT 1:58 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

I wonder with all that tape that the motor is overheating from no air at all.

Roy

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Monday, July 23rd, 2012 AT 2:15 PM

WALTERWHITMYER

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Don't know! The boot was very tight, and the installation guide said it must be in place.

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Monday, July 23rd, 2012 AT 2:19 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Hi guys. There is a real common problem with the ground straps. Next time it "fails", either push on the motor to see if it starts running or better yet, measure the voltage on the case with a test light or voltmeter. If there's any voltage there look at the brass strap riveted to the mounting plate and attached under one of the bolt heads. It burns away under the bolt head. The permanent fix is to add a ground wire from the mounting plate to the body sheet metal.