Windshield wipers stopped working

Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

First, if the motor was ever replaced, it may fall under a recall. Take a look through this. The pictures I attach will show where the motor is located and give general directions for removal. It is located at the bottom of the windshield (exterior) and requires removal of the cowl to access.

To answer your other question, there are other things that may have failed. I would recommend checking to see if there is power to the motor and a good ground. If there is power and ground, the motor is bad. Here are a couple links that show how to check wiring and use a test light:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

___________________________________________

Here is the recall. It may or may not relate to your vehicle. You will need a dealer to run your vehicle identification number (VIN) and then inspect the motor. This is extensive and the pictures starting with number 3 correlate to the recall.

_________________________________________

Recall - Windshield Wiper Motor Failure
Vehicle Wiper and Washer Systems Windshield Washer Motor Technical Service Bulletins Recall - Windshield Wiper Motor Failure
RECALL - WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE
# 15789: Service Parts Safety - Windshield Wiper Motor Failure - (Oct 26, 2015)

Subject: 15789 - Windshield Wiper Motor Failure Models: Various Serviced Vehicles and Over-The-Counter Part Sales

The windshield wiper motors involved in this recall were used by GM dealers to repair various serviced vehicles. Dealers who ordered this part for service or over-the-counter sale are identified in the file attached to the GM GlobalConnect message (U.S.) or Dealer Communication (Canada). Please see the Vehicles Involved section of this bulletin for details.

Condition

General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain front windshield wiper motors used by GM dealers to repair various serviced vehicles or sold over-the-counter to non-GM independent repair facilities or individual vehicle owners. These front windshield wiper motors may contain a manufacturing defect that causes the wiper motor to overheat when in use. In some cases, the windshield wiper motor cover may melt, smoke or catch fire.

Important: In the sample customer notification letter on the last page of this bulletin, customers are being advised to contact their dealer to arrange a service appointment as soon as possible and not use their windshield wipers until they have been repaired. Customers are also being advised that if weather conditions prevent them from operating the vehicle without using the windshield wipers, their dealer will make arrangements to pick up the vehicle for servicing. Additionally, in the unfortunate event that repair parts are not available, customers are being advised that their dealer will arrange to place them into a rental car, at no charge, until the parts needed to repair their vehicle become available.

Correction

Dealers are to inspect the windshield wiper motor build date, and if necessary, replace the windshield wiper motor cover. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer.

Vehicles Involved

Various serviced vehicles may have had a recalled part installed during a service visit. A search of General Motors sales records has identified the following three sales record categories:

1.Sales records that contain a VIN. These identified VINs will be available on the Investigate Vehicle History (IVH) screen in GM Global Warranty Management (GWM) system. GM will contact these customers.

2.Sales records that contain a customer address but no VIN. GM will contact these customers. The VIN will not appear on the IVH screen in the GWM system.

3.Sales records that do not contain a VIN or customer address. Attached to the dealer message announcing this recall is a file that identifies the involved dealers and provides an invoice number for the sale. Dealers are to search their part sales records to determine the name and address of the purchaser. If the purchaser is the owner of the vehicle, dealers are to send the customer a copy of the recall notification letter found in this bulletin, requesting that their vehicle be brought in for repair. If the purchaser is a non-GM independent repair facility, dealers are to contact the repair facility and obtain the vehicle owner's name and address and send the customer a copy of the recall notification letter found in this bulletin. The VIN will not appear on the IVH screen in the GWM system.

For dealers with involved vehicles that can be identified by VIN, a listing with involved vehicles containing the complete VIN, customer name, and address information has been prepared and will be provided through the GM GlobalConnect Recall Reports. Dealers will not have a report available if they have no involved vehicles currently assigned. The listing may contain customer names and addresses obtained from Motor Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any purpose other than follow-up necessary to complete this recall is a violation of law in several states/provinces/countries. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this report to the follow-up necessary to complete this recall.
Parts Information

Service Procedure

1.Remove the air inlet grille panel. Refer to Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement in SI.

Note: The date formatting is DD-MM-YY.
2.Verify the build date (1) printed on the label (2) of the wiper motor.

If the build date is between 15-08-15 and 18-09-15, proceed to step 3.

If the build date is NOT between 15-08-15 and 18-09-15, no further action is required. Reattach the air inlet grille panel.

3.Disconnect the wiper motor electrical connection.

4.If required, remove dirt, debris or moisture from the wiper motor cover.
5.Remove the 4 wiper motor cover fasteners (1).

6.Remove the wiper motor cover.

Caution: Damage may occur to the part if the sprocket is not aligned properly.
7.On the new wiper cover, align the sprocket (1) with the breather (2) as shown in the picture above.
8.Install the new cover onto the motor starting with the terminals (1) and pin A (2).
9.Push down carefully on the cover to align pin B (1).
10.Verify the cover lays flat on the motor assembly as shown in picture B.

11.Tighten the 4 wiper motor fasteners (1) in a "X" pattern to 3.5 Nm (31 in lb). Verify the fasteners are bottomed out on the wiper motor casting.

12.Turn ON the ignition and verify wiper motor operation.

13.Turn OFF the ignition.

14.Install the air inlet grille panel. Refer to Air Inlet Grille Panel Replacement in SI.

15.Turn ON the ignition and verify wiper motor operation.

16.Turn OFF the ignition.

Courtesy Transportation

The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranties. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product program is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to GM Warranty Administration Bulletin 07-00-89-037H for courtesy transportation program guidelines and reimbursement instructions.
Warranty Transaction Information

Customer Notification
General Motors will notify identified customers of this recall on their vehicle (see copy of customer letter included with this bulletin). Dealers that have been identified as having over-the-counter sales are to check their sales records to identify the purchaser of the suspect part. After determining the name and address of the purchaser, dealers are to send each customer a copy of the notification owner letter requesting that their vehicle be brought in for this recall.

Dealer Recall Responsibility

It is a violation of Federal law for a dealer to deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment (including a tire) covered by this notification under a sale or lease until the defect or noncompliance is remedied.

The U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle that is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.

Dealers who have ordered the recalled part for service are identified in the file attached to the dealer message announcing this recall. Dealers who are listed in this file are required to check their sales records to determine the name and address of the purchaser of the recalled part.

If the purchaser is the owner of the vehicle, dealers are to send the customer a copy of the recall notification letter requesting that their vehicle be brought in for this recall.

If the purchaser is NOT the owner of the vehicle (non-GM independent repair facility), dealers are to contact the repair facility and obtain the vehicle owner's name and address so a copy of the recall notification letter can be sent to these customers.

Since General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales records do not always contain customer names and addresses for these over-the-counter sales, it is important that each involved dealer take the necessary time required to responsibly identify customers who have purchased the recall part.

All vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall must be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin before customers take possession of these vehicles.

Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.

In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you must take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

________________________________________________

It is a lot. However, it does explain how it is removed, how to determine the build date of the motor.

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe