Windshield wipers stopped working

[guy_ethier]

Just started my 2006 HR Endeavor coach up again for it's monthly run down the freeway and when I tried turning on the windshield wipers, all that happened was a short and quick jerk by both wipers that moved them about 1/4", then nothing.  Tried again and same thing.  This continued for a few times, so I decided to problem solve.  Wiper motors inside do not look like they are moving when switch is activated, and I do not hear or notice anything abnormal.  Worked fine 4 weeks ago.  This coach had the recall on the OEM wipers that were recalled back in '08. Faulty ground connection?  I can't seem to locate a ground inside because all of the wires disappear in a coiled bundle behind the generator. Any ideas? Thanks in advance! Perhaps there is a fuse or solenoid somewhere?

[lake49068]

Had a similar problem and found that the wiper shafts were binding.  Try moving the arms manually...if they easily move then not the shafts.  If they don't move, remove an arm, spray lube down shaft.  Look for the push on spring clip and make sure it isn't binding, repeat on other arm.  If not binding, check movement on arms from motor.  If all is free, might be a bad motor.

[guy_ethier]

Removing wiper assembly 2006 Endeavor

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Well, after some serious troubleshooting and talking to the manufacturer, AM Equipment, I decided to remove the whole wiper assembly from the beast. On a previous thread I mentioned wipers were not working at all.

The 12 volt power is coming into the wiring harness, so I suspect a failed motor or seized wiper shaft/arm.

Removed both wipers and removed the 2 bolts holding the motor in place and it "looks" like the only thing left is to push through the threaded wiper arm ends that hold the wipers in place.

I can't see any retaining clip or anything that may prevent pushing it through from the outside to the inside, but the sucker doesn't seem to want to budge.

Anyone have experience removing this assembly based on the pictures below? Again, it appears that the only thing left is to push the 2 threaded ends through to the inside, but it does not want to go that way. Perhaps there is some silicone stuck inside the fiberglass reinforced wall holding it in place.

Anyways, before I go Rambo on this sucker, I thought I should ask for advice. I need to remove it to properly bench test it and see if it is the motor or just seized shafts and arms.

[lake49068]

In your next-to-last picture showing the shaft/knurl, the shiny ring inboard from the spline is the spring clip holding the shaft in place.  Try prying it loose with a knife or other sharp blade (maybe a little rust dissolving spray first?) to salvage the ring.  Not sure where you might get a new one if it has to be cut off.or not salvageable. That should allow the shaft to be pushed into the cowl cavity.  Suggest a good pasty waterproof lube in the hole when ready to reassemble.

[guy_ethier]

Thanks...will try it now. I was wondering what that was as it didn't seem to want to come off, but I will endeavor (no pun intended) to work on it a bit more! 

[lake49068]

Googled and found "push nuts" available at Auto Zone.

[guy_ethier]

The slender metal shield covering the snap ring behind it is proving difficult to remove.  Used PB Blaster rust remover and my heat gun several times and still she won't budge. Will repeat this every day 😵‍💫all this week until one of us gives up!

You stated that it was all one piece and not two? Hmmmm...mebbe I am missing something here?  It looks like 2 pieces and not one.  And to remove the snap ring I have to remove the shiny shield?

[DZZippy]

Your assembly looks very similar to mine that I replaced last year. Once I removed all self-tapers securing the mounting brackets to the fiberglass / wood front cap all I had to do was remove the nuts from the shafts on the outside of the coach where they come through. I do recall that it was tight and had to use a hammer to tap the shafts / bulk head fitting through and then removed the entire assembly as one unit.

 

Hope that helps

[guy_ethier]

So, no need to remove the shiny push cap retaining ring on the outside threaded shaft?  That would be a relief.  I am afraid of going too Rambo on it and damaging either the fiberglass or the arm assembly.

Thanks for the advice...will try it out tomorrow

 

[DZZippy]

13 minutes ago, guy_ethier said:

So, no need to remove the shiny push cap retaining ring on the outside threaded shaft?  That would be a relief.  I am afraid of going too Rambo on it and damaging either the fiberglass or the arm assembly.

Thanks for the advice...will try it out tomorrow

 

That is correct, at least on mine.

 

While others are reading this (and obviously for yourself), I do have a brand new wiper motor that only had 5 months of usage on it before I removed the entire assembly and upgraded. 

[lake49068]

If you decide to remove the large nut rather than the push nuts, you still have to make sure the shafts are free turning.  And looks like the nut is gone already!  Missed that and now wondering what's keeping the assembly in place.  Block of wood and hammer required...!