240 wipers don't move, but motor is operating

dmg4 · Post by **dmg4** » 10 Jul 2013, 20:02

The windshield wipers have stopped working on my 1992 240. The fuse at position #2 controls the wipers and horn. The fuse is good, the horn still works, and I can hear the alternating sound of the wiper motor operating when they are switched "on". However, the wiper arms do not move at all. The arms can be moved freely by hand, and if you move one by hand, then both wiper arms move together (although not due to the motor, just due to hand operation).

Suggestions for diagnosis and repair? Where do I start? Has something in the linkage or the motor come loose?

Post by **jimmy57** » 10 Jul 2013, 20:12

Remove the glove box for access and you'll see the linkage. A galvanized beam is attached to an elliptical cam at the motor via a cable. That beam goes to the middle RH shaft and that shaft has two cams. The LH shaft is driven by another bean that links it to the RH shaft. The cable might be broken or it just got loose and was able to walk off. The cable has a ball on one end that drops into a keyhole and the end is threaded and has a nylock nut that can be loosened to get it back on and then tightened to hold in place. It could be the gears in motor gearbox but I've seen cables cause this and haven't seen a failed gearset inside the motor, just non functioning motors. If it were non functioning motor you wouldn't here it run.

dmg4 · Post by **dmg4** » 11 Jul 2013, 04:02

Excellent! Thank you. The wiper motor was replaced at a dealer in 2011, so I'm hoping it's OK.

The wiper arms do move in unison if you work them manually. Does this suggest which of the links/connections is a probably cause?

Nice to know the access is via the glovebox. I was worried about having to remove the dash if the problem could not be accessed through the port for the motor.

Post by **jimmy57** » 11 Jul 2013, 06:39

The link on the wiper motor being loose is the suspect. That would leave the two wipers connected and moving in unison as they should.
You can remove the defroster duct for even more access. One screw and it maneuvers out.

dmg4 · Post by **dmg4** » 13 Jul 2013, 16:54

Problem solved. Removed the glovebox and the passenger-side defroster hose and found that the spring clip holding the linkage to the wiper motor had cracked and fallen off. One new clip and it's good to go.

Thanks for the help!