How to Troubleshoot a Ford Wiper Motor

by Alibaster Smith

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

The wiper motor in your Ford may be starting to hesitate and squeal if you've owned your Ford vehicle for a number of years. Or you may be having trouble getting your wipers to work at all. Fortunately, the motor unit can be replaced. However, before replacing the motor, you should troubleshoot the problem. There are several simple solutions that can solve most Ford wiper motor problems.

Step 1

Open the fuse panel cover under the steering wheel. Turn the knob on the cover counterclockwise and pull down on the cover.

Step 2

Pull the fuse for the wiper motor using the supplied fuse puller in the fuse box. Use the diagram on the underside of the fuse panel if you are having trouble locating the fuse for the wiper motor.

Step 3

Check the wiper motor fuse. The metal strip inside the fuse should not be burned out or broken. If it is, replace the fuse with another fuse of the same amperage.

Step 4

Open the hood and disconnect the electrical leads running to the wiper motor.

Step 5

Set the dial on the voltmeter to "Ohms."

Step 6

Touch one of the voltmeter leads to one of the terminals on the motor and touch the other lead on the voltmeter to the other terminal on the motor. The Ohm reading should be at or near "0." A .05 Ohm variance is acceptable. If the meter reads "1," then the motor has failed and needs to be replaced.

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