Wiper motor

BARRYB66

MEMBER
1997 FORD RANGER
2.3L
4 CYL
153,789 MILES

I have voltage to the motor but nothing happens. New motor. I connect it straight to the battery and it works. No matter what position the switch is in I have voltage to every wire (6 pin) except when switch is off. What could this be?

Thursday, December 14th, 2017 AT 7:24 AM

4 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Most likely the ground is missing. Start by testing for voltage on the motor's housing. Put the meter's negative probe or the test light's clip lead on any ground other than the plate the motor is bolted to. Wiper motors are usually mounted to a metal plate that is mounted with rubber isolators to dampen vibration. There is a brass strip riveted to the plate, and run under one of the bolt heads. That strip arcs away under the bolt head. Often the motor will run intermittently, and when you push on it.

Do not bother trying to fix that brass strip. Just find a place where you can attach a ten gauge jumper wire to the plate or motor, and the other end to a paint-free point on the body.

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Thursday, December 14th, 2017 AT 2:41 PM

BARRYB66

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3 POSTS

I understand the ground, but it is a new motor. If that is not the problem what else should I look for?
Thanks

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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 9:09 AM

BARRYB66

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I understand the ground, but it's a new motor. If that's not the problem what else should I look for?
Thanks

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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 9:09 AM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,916 POSTS

Did you bolt the motor to a metal plate? That plate is what's mounted on rubber isolators and has the bad ground. Did you check for voltage on the motor's metal housing?

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Friday, December 15th, 2017 AT 3:56 PM