Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Wiper Motor - Windshield
Use a Starter, Alternator, Battery, Regulator and Electrical (SABRE) tester to test the wiper motor on the vehicle.
To test the wiper motor, disconnect the windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft from the windshield wiper motor. Refer to WIPER MOTOR - WINDSHIELD in this article.
Disconnect the wiper motor. Connect the (1) green lead from the (2) SABRE tester to the battery negative (-) post. Connect the (3) red lead from the SABRE to the wiper motor (4) common brush terminal (terminal 3).
Test the low-speed mode by connecting a (5) cable from the battery positive (+) post to the (6) low-speed brush terminal (terminal 2) and measure the current draw. If the current draw is greater than 3.5 amperes, install a new windshield wiper motor.
Test the high-speed mode by connecting a cable from the battery positive (+) post to the (7) high-speed brush terminal (terminal 1) and measure the current draw. If the current draw is greater than 5.5 amperes, install a new wiper motor.
NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.