1997 Dodge Caravan Drivers Side Wiper Arm

Tiny
ANDREWPS84
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE CARAVAN
Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Dodge Caravan 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I have one wiper arm on my 97 Dodge Caravan that is not moving when the switch is on, it will make one partial swipe across the windshield and then doesn't work. What could the problem be?
Saturday, December 26th, 2009 AT 8:59 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Loose nut. Not the one that holds the steering wheel!

Pry up the plastic cover at the base of the arm. Turn the wipers off with the ignition switch on so the motor will park. Push the arm to its proper position. Tighten the 15mm nut. Pop the cover back down.

Caradiodoc
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Sunday, December 27th, 2009 AT 1:13 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,752 POSTS
It is most likely one of two things. First, where the wiper arm attaches to the shaft, the arm has a cover that is on a hing. Lift the cover and make sure the nut is tight. If it is, you need to remove the cowl at the base of the windshield. There are several screws that hold it on. You will need to open the hood to access them all. Once you remove it, you will have access to the wiper linkage which attaches to the motor. Check the linkage for worn or broken parts.

Let me know what you find and thanks for using 2carpros. Com.

Joe
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Sunday, December 27th, 2009 AT 1:14 AM
Tiny
ANDREWPS84
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hey guys,

Thanks for the response. It turned out the wiper arm was out of adjustment for whatever reason, so I took the arm off, put it back in proper position and tightened the bolt back down. So far it's working fine again. Thanks again for the help.
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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,752 POSTS
Chance car the splines on the wiper arm or the linkage may be stripping. If it happens again, check both. If the splines are bad on one or the other, it will need replaced. However, as you experienced, they can come loose too.

Let me know if you have other questions, let me know. First, thanks for using 2carpros. Com, and I wish you and your family a great new year.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 12:03 AM

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