How can you tell if a wiper motor is bad?

If your car's windshield wipers are not functioning properly, it could be a sign that the wiper motor is faulty. Identifying a bad wiper motor is crucial for ensuring your vehicle's safety and maintaining proper visibility while driving. In this article, we'll explore the key signs and symptoms that indicate a wiper motor issue, as well as provide steps to diagnose and address the problem.

Signs of a Bad Wiper Motor

There are several common indicators that your wiper motor may be malfunctioning:

• Wipers not moving at all: If the wipers fail to move when you turn on the wiper switch, it's a clear sign of a wiper motor problem.


• Wipers moving slowly or erratically: If the wipers are moving slower than normal or in an irregular, jerky motion, it could be a sign of a failing wiper motor.


• Wipers stopping mid-cycle: If the wipers start moving but then stop before completing a full wipe, it's likely due to a wiper motor issue.


• Unusual noises: If you hear grinding, clicking, or other unusual noises coming from the wiper system, it may indicate a problem with the wiper motor.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to have your vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic to diagnose and address the wiper motor problem.

Diagnosing a Bad Wiper Motor

To determine if the wiper motor is the root cause of the issue, a mechanic will typically follow these steps:

• Visual inspection: The mechanic will visually inspect the wiper motor and related components, such as the wiper linkage and wiper arms, for any signs of damage or wear.


• Electrical testing: Using a multimeter, the mechanic will check the wiper motor's voltage and current draw to ensure it's operating within the manufacturer's specifications.


• Functional testing: The mechanic will test the wiper motor's functionality by directly powering it to see if it's able to move the wipers properly.

If the wiper motor is found to be faulty, the mechanic will recommend replacing it to restore proper wiper operation and ensure your vehicle's safety.

Replacing a Wiper Motor

Replacing a wiper motor is typically a straightforward process, but it's best left to a professional mechanic. They will have the necessary tools and expertise to safely remove the old motor, install the new one, and ensure it's properly integrated with the wiper system. This will help ensure the new wiper motor functions correctly and provides reliable, long-lasting performance.

How do you diagnose a bad wiper motor?

Itself. Two wipers move erratically. The next symptom to look out for is the wiper blades moving unevenly across the windshield. Sometimes speeding up or slowing down without warning.

How do you tell if you need a new windshield wiper motor?

Let's look at a few signs that your windshield wiper motor might be going bad.

1. The Speed Decreased.
2. You Hear Humming Noises When the Wipers Are On.
3. The Wipers Don't Return to Resting Position.
4. The Blades Stop Moving Entirely.

How do I know if my windshield washer motor is bad?

You can tell your windshield washer pump is bad if you press the washer switch and nothing happens—no spray, no sound—after checking that the reservoir is full, the hoses are not kinked, and the nozzles are not clogged. Other signs include a grinding or whining noise, which could indicate a failing pump, or an uneven or weak spray pattern. 
This video demonstrates how to check if your washer pump is working: 1mAdam MechanicYouTube · Oct 13, 2024
Common symptoms

• No fluid spray: The washer doesn't spray any fluid, even though the reservoir is full. 
• No pump sound: You don't hear a humming or whirring sound from the pump when you activate the switch. 
• Strange noises: The pump makes grinding, whining, or other unusual sounds when you try to use it. 
• Uneven or weak spray: The fluid sprays weakly or in an inconsistent pattern. 

How to troubleshoot

1. Check the easy things first: Make sure the washer fluid reservoir is full and that the hoses are not kinked or leaking. Also, check that the nozzles aren't clogged. 
2. Listen for the pump: With the car on but the engine off, have someone activate the washer system. Listen for a humming or whirring sound from the pump located at the washer fluid reservoir. 
   • If you hear the sound: The pump is likely getting power. The problem could be a blockage in the hoses or a clog in the nozzles. 
   • If you don't hear the sound: The pump is likely the problem, but it could also be an electrical issue like a blown fuse. 

You can watch this video to learn about the symptoms of a bad windshield wiper motor: 58sFixITYouTube · Nov 17, 2024

1. Test the electrical circuit (optional): If you suspect an electrical issue, you can test the pump for power. 
   • Locate the electrical connector at the pump. 
   • With the key in the "on" position, have someone activate the washer switch.
   • Use a test light or voltmeter to check for power at the connector. If there is power, but the pump still doesn't run, the pump is bad and needs to be replaced. 
   • If there is no power, the problem is likely a blown fuse or a bad relay/switch, not the pump itself. 
2. Test the pump directly (optional): If you've confirmed the pump is getting power, you can test the pump's motor by checking its resistance with an ohmmeter. A bad motor will typically show infinite resistance (open circuit) or a high resistance value. 

This video shows how to check the fuse for your washer pump: 53sQuiteAlrightYouTube · Mar 5, 2024

What is an identify 5 possible cause failure of motor wiper system?

Some factors can disrupt this process. For instance, too much ice or snow on your windshield may cause your wipers to get jammed and cause circuit overloading. Your wipers may also malfunction if components like the control switch, wiper control unit, wiring, or linkage blades fail.