The Importance of the Windshield Wiper Motor

Anthony Fontanelle
January 21, 2008

Windshield wipers are among the most essential devices when driving a vehicle amid harsh weather conditions. Without them, drivers have to bear the inconvenience of using hands or clothes to wipe off rain or snow from the windshield. Also, windshield wipers help the driver to clearly see the road ahead. Equally important is the role played by the windshield wiper motor as it supplies the power needed by the windshield wiper to operate. This electrical motor can be operated in one, two, or three speeds, depending on the required application. The motor works with a worm gear that drives the gears and, in turn, takes charge of the operation of the linkage of the arms. Resistors, on the other hand, are tasked to control the speed of the electric motor. These are situated on the control switch and attached to the wiper motor electrical windings. Situated right in front of the windshield, the windshield wiper motor assembly has an electronic circuit that detects whether the wipers are positioned down. This circuit keeps the power of the wipers until they lay down at the bottom of the windshield.

Over time, the windshield wiper motor can give in to wear and tear. A typical cause of damage is when moisture gets into the stator mechanism, causing the contacts to rust. With a failed wiper motor, the wiper stops moving in the middle of the windshield every now and then. Moreover, the wipers may linger at the middle of the windshield once they are turned off. To prevent this from happening, one must inspect the windshield wiper motor regularly for any dirt buildup, water, or rust. When any of these is present, it is best to replace the windshield wiper motor with a new one. Installation of the windshield wiper motor is quite easy by putting it in its proper place and attaching a wiper linkage.

Source:  Amazines.com