Rear wiper motor on 1999 Mountaineer was running ...

Greetings! Turn the key on and the rear wiper on. With a test light or a voltmeter back probe the connector and see if any of the wires has power. Here is a hint. A lot of times it is a bad ground. Do a voltage drop from the outside of the motor casing to the negative batt post while the wipers are on. Or if cant reach go to something metal that is a good ground! If it is more than .5 of a volt, than the motor does not have a sufficient enough of a ground to work. If so, the connections will have to be cleaned and tightened up. Good luck!

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My wife has driven the vehicle to work, so I will be unable to use this information until tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have a positive response to send you. I don't think the problem will be resolved so easily, but you're the expert. Thanks.

SOunds good. Let me know

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There appears to be no power reaching the plug. However, I don't know where the ground wire for the wiper motor plug is. I trace the wiring to the top edge of the rear door, where it is encased in a large harness. Where is the ground wire that would affect the rear wiper motor?

The motor actually grounds itself when it is bolted down. Dont bother looking for a ground wire. Just be sure the case of the motor is not hot (power).

Would you like a wiring diagram?

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Yes, I would like a wiring diagram. Please don't think I am arguing, but I don't see how the motor grounds itself, since it is rubber mounted. Also, this answer fails to address the 'no power' condition at the plug.

YOu bring up a good point! There are bolts that hold it down. There is also rubber bushings that seperate the motor from the door. But inside the rubber bushings there are metal sleeves or cylinders that are used to ground the motor when it is bolted down. A lot of times there is just a bad connection. Here are the diagrams.

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OK. I saw the bushings within the rubber grommets, but was unaware a ground could still be made. So, a true 'connection' can't be evaluated until the motor is again hard mounted. I was 'testing' the motor plugged in, but not bolted to the door. I will remount the motor, and give you an update tomorrow. Thanks

Sounds good!

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I have remounted the motor. When turning on the wiper motor, there is no movement of the wiper arm at all, at any of the speed selections. At ALL of the speed selections, a 'faint' double click sound is heard about every 2-3 seconds. This clicking sound remains the same regardless of the speed selected. I now remember getting this same sound, before replacing the motor. What do I try next?

4 liter or 5 liter?

2 or 4 wheel drive?

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5.0 AWD
Also, I wasn't able to utilize those electrical scematics you sent. They printed out very small, and they were a bit more complicated than I imagined.

I would rec to check the rear wiper up relay. It is located in the Power Distribution Box, located in the LH rear of engine compartment. Lower left.

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How do you 'check' a relay?

You can ohm it out with a ohm meter, you can apply a power and a ground to see if it clicks, or u can just switch it with the rear wiper down relay. Then turn on the rear wiper and see if the wiper goes up, than not down. Then u know u have a bad relay!

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Switched the relays. Same results. Nothing moves. Listening by stethescope, BOTH relays click. I 'assume', this means they are good. Any more suggestions?

There should be 4 wires coming from and going to the motor. Can u tell me the colors? I will tell u what wires should have power and what wires should have ground.

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Purple W/Yellow Stipe
White W/Red Stripe
Black W/Blue Stripe
Solid Black
There 'seems' to be power getting to the motor, since I can hear the clicking at the motor as well.

White with a red stripe should have power with the key on and rear wiper on.

Black should have a good solid ground.

If you were to take a voltmeter across the two you should get battery volts! DO u?

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The leads are recessed in the plug and difficult to get a voltmeter lead on them, but it appears to have about 11.5 volts.

U could just unplug the connector and see it there is power and ground to the connector. This just takes the motor out of the equation. If there is battery volts than your problem is in the motor or the mechanics inside. All your wiring is then ok!

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I guess I'll try and exchange the motor again. They tell you that they are 'bench' tested. I wonder how much truth there is to that?

I hear ya!

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I've returned the motor. It was a special order, so It will take a couple days. Will I still be able to contact you as to the results, when I get the 'new' one?

Sure! Just repost to this same question.

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I received the 'new' motor, and it works this time. It 'seems' to only have a delayed speed and a slow speed, though the switch has 3 positions. Any input on THIS? Thanks for your time and help.

U could have a wrong wiper motor?

Did u get it from the dealer?

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Got it from AutoZone. It visually matched the original, and the part number matched the number listed for it. Maybe it belongs on a mini-van, and they all LOOK the same?

Yes they all do look alike. Your best bet it to give the parts guy at the dealership the vehicles vin number.

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Well, Like I said, I got it from AutoZone. Avoided the 'dealer' cause of cost. It does work, so I guess I'll be satisfied with that. Thanks for your help.

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