1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement Cost

Driving without windshield cleaning components is not typically considered unsafe, but there will be no system to properly clean your field of vision if the need arises. If the windshield cleaning system is heavily relied upon in your location, consider repairing the system sooner than later.

This is not a frequently failing component. The majority of vehicles with windshield wiper motor failure are much older. The frequency of use is an important factor, but most often they have very low expectation of failure, just as they have very low expectation of long periods of extended use.

Windshield wiper motors are diagnosed by a guided process of elimination, from most likely, to least likely. The fuses are checked first, then the power at the windshield wiper switch, then power coming from the switch, to the wiper motor. If there is electrical power going to the windshield wiper switch, but the switch will not send power to the windshield wiper motor, the switch or wiring must be replaced. If the switch sends power, but the windshield wiper motor will not run, power at the windshield wiper motor would be checked. If electrical power reached the windshield wiper motor, but the motor did not run, it would be bench-tested, and confirmed failed.

To replace the windshield wiper motor, access to the front cowl/rain gutter is necessary, which means the technician will have to remove the windshield wiper arms, plastic covers, and any lower that converge with the windshield seal. Once access is gained, the servicing technician will being disconnecting the windshield wiper motor from the windshield wiper are linkages/rods. The windshield wiper motor is able to lift out once disconnected. Installation is the reverse of removal, and the wiper arms, and wiper blades should be inspected for condition, and function.

During replacement, a quality shop will inspect, lubricate, and torque all of the components of the wiper linkage. Adjustment of the wiper arms and replacement of the wiper blades may also be necessary.

The wiper control switch, wiper control unit, wiring, or broken linkage components can all behave like a failed wiper motor. Failure to properly inspect these items during the diagnosis may lead to the unnecessary replacement of the wiper motor.