help with rear wiper
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
help with rear wiper
Help!! 
Please, and thanks in advance 
'01 Navigator 4x4
My rear wiper stopped working in the middle of a rain storm. I didnt hear any weird noises, didnt smell anything burning up.
When I turn the wiper on, there is no sound from back there at all, no motor slipping, nothing. What's odd is that it is loose now, like I can pull back on it a bit and it spins freely, like the belt came off, or gears broke or whatever drives it isnt there anymore.
But wouldnt I still hear the motor power on if that was the case?
It's weird to have both symptoms, right? How could the electrical AND mechanical both fail at the same time?
Any info on this is very much appreciated. Thank you!
Please, and thanks in advance '01 Navigator 4x4
My rear wiper stopped working in the middle of a rain storm. I didnt hear any weird noises, didnt smell anything burning up.
When I turn the wiper on, there is no sound from back there at all, no motor slipping, nothing. What's odd is that it is loose now, like I can pull back on it a bit and it spins freely, like the belt came off, or gears broke or whatever drives it isnt there anymore.
But wouldnt I still hear the motor power on if that was the case?
It's weird to have both symptoms, right? How could the electrical AND mechanical both fail at the same time?
Any info on this is very much appreciated. Thank you!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
You could check to see if you have power to the motor when you switch the rear wiper on. If there is no power the switch to turn the wiper on could be bad. That is what happened to my Dad's 2000 Expy, the switch is going bad, so the wiper only works sometimes. If you are getting power, something in the motor failed.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Try this. Start the truck, turn the rear wiper to it's fastest setting, get out, close all the doors, and physically try moving the wiper arm. Not too hard or you'll strip the teeth where it clamps around the motor shaft, but just wiggle it back and forth. I bet it starts working again. After that it will probably be fine for a month or two, then a month, then a couple weeks and so on and so so forth until you basically have to "pump start" it every time. The older motors are absolute crap.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by JayS
Try this. Start the truck, turn the rear wiper to it's fastest setting, get out, close all the doors, and physically try moving the wiper arm. Not too hard or you'll strip the teeth where it clamps around the motor shaft, but just wiggle it back and forth. I bet it starts working again. After that it will probably be fine for a month or two, then a month, then a couple weeks and so on and so so forth until you basically have to "pump start" it every time. The older motors are absolute crap.
I'm gonna try this, and also see if there is a fuse for the rear wiper, then check to see if the motor is getting power at all.
Is it easy to get to the motor?
Thanks everyone!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: DIXIE
Gears are bad in the motor. According to our local Ford dealer, it was common on the '97-'00. Our's in the '98 expy went out at 12K and again at 30k. The '01 still has the original motor at 86k and works fine.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Jersey Shore on the Right
Do a search on the rear wiper in this forum. There was a recent post describing how to access and service the rear wiper motor. Hopefully there's not much difference between a Nav and an Expy. If you can freely move the arm then something broke, disconnected, or needs tightening. Not a fuse.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Well, the motor makes no sound either, so this is something mechanical AND electrical. Both broke at the same exact time! Weird! Maybe it's just worth paying the $100 deductible for the warranty...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / Worst Features Of The 2025+ Ford Expedition
Brett Foote
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition
Joe Kucinski
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Thanks JayS, I went out and turned on the engine and the wiper and gave it a little push and now it works again! Now I just have to bend the tab the wiper sits on so it stops craping the window as it moves.
--Mountain Cat
--Mountain Cat
New User
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Try this. Start the truck, turn the rear wiper to it's fastest setting, get out, close all the doors, and physically try moving the wiper arm. Not too hard or you'll strip the teeth where it clamps around the motor shaft, but just wiggle it back and forth. I bet it starts working again. After that it will probably be fine for a month or two, then a month, then a couple weeks and so on and so so forth until you basically have to "pump start" it every time. The older motors are absolute crap.
