Wiper arm behind wiper motor disconnected from motor

Remove the wiper arms completely. Turn on the wiper motor and then turn it off again, allowing it to park automatically.
Now put the wiper arms back so that the blades just touch the bottom edge of the windscreen, or wherever the correct position is. Tighten the nuts
Have fun!

The 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan takes 28" wiper blades on both sides front and a 18" rear wiper. See related links below for more information. Since there are over 22 different wiper arm attachments, do not buy wipers just by length only - be sure to lookup exact wiper blade part numbers by vehicle make, model and year for the brand wiper you decide to purchase. This ensures correct length AND correct attachment.

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Wiper Blade Size Options w/Correct Lengths & Attachments

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Wiper Blade Installation Videos (hook front, hook rear)

The 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan has the most common hook-end wiper arms. See related links below for installation videos. Also, purchase the replacement blades first and there will be additional instructions/illustrations on the replacement packages. Locate and press the tab or button where the wiper blade is inserted into the hook of the wiper arm and pull wiper blade out of hook. You may have to rotate and flex the blade to make enough clearance for the hook to pass through.

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Wiper Blade Installation Videos (hook front, hook rear)

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Wiper Blade Size Options w/Correct Lengths & Attachments

The 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan has the most common hook-end wiper arms. See related links below for installation videos. Also, purchase the replacement blades first and there will be additional instructions/illustrations on the replacement packages. Locate and press the tab or button where the wiper blade is inserted into the hook of the wiper arm and pull wiper blade out of hook. You may have to rotate and flex the blade to make enough clearance for the hook to pass through.

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Wiper Blade Installation Videos (hook front, hook rear)

1998 Dodge Grand Caravan Wiper Blade Size Options w/Correct Lengths & Attachments

why do you think the motor still works if the wipers don't move? Can you hear the motor run or can you see a little movement when you turn the switch on?

What happens when you activate the washers?

go to a salvage yard that allows you to remove the parts yourself. Then you can see how the motor and linkage assembly comes out.


don't have 1983 info, but here is 1994:

Section 01-16A: Wiper and Washer System, Ranger/Explorer 1994 Ranger and Explorer Vehicles Workshop Manual
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION Windshield Wiper System, Ranger/Explorer The windshield wipers are actuated by a permanent magnet, rotary-type electric windshield wiper motor (17504) . The two windshield wiper pivot arms (17526) and windshield wiper blades (17528) are mounted on a pivot shaft, one at each side of the windshield. The windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft (17566) are connected to the motor by windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip (17531) . Ranger and Explorer vehicles are equipped with an interval wiper and washer (IWW) system featuring a lever-type turn signal and windshield wiper switch (13K359) mounted on the steering column. The IWW windshield wiper governor (17C476) uses a relay contact to control current to the windshield wiper motor . The governor electronic circuitry controls the contact to supply current to windshield wiper motor . A rear wiper/washer system is available on Explorer vehicles. The rear window wiper system consists of a windshield wiper motor mounted inside the liftgate (40010) , an articulating windshield wiper pivot arm and windshield wiper blade , a windshield wiper/washer switch (17A553) and an inline circuit breaker. The front electric windshield washer system consists of a control switch, integral with the turn signal, a windshield washer reservoir (17618) and windshield wiper motor and the necessary windshield washer hoses (17A605) , windshield washer nozzle jet and brackets (17603) and attaching parts.
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Pivot Shafts and Linkage Removal and Installation
NOTE: The left and right pivot and windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip assemblies are serviced separately.

1. Perform Steps 1 through 9 of Windshield Wiper Motor Removal as described in this section.

1. If servicing left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip , remove left windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade assembly.

1. Remove left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip access cover.

1. Remove left pivot nut, lower windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip and slide it out through left access opening. For installation, follow removal procedures in reverse order. Tighten nut to 10-13 Nm (7-10 ft-lb). Make sure the clip is fully seated in the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip . Do not try to install clip with windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip on motor crank pin.
   

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Windshield Wiper Motor Windshield wiper motor are not serviceable. If worn or damaged, the windshield wiper motor must be replaced as an assembly. Removal

1. Cycle windshield wiper blades until in straight-up position and turn ignition switch OFF.

1. Disconnect battery and wiper motor electrical connector.

1. Remove the right windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade .

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301).

1. Remove the right pivot nut and allow the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip to drop into the cowl top outer panel .

1. Remove the linkage access cover, located on the right side of the dash panel near the windshield wiper motor.

1. Reach through the access cover opening and unsnap the wiper motor clip.

1. Push the clip away from the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip until it clears the nib on the crack pin. Then, push the clip off the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip.

1. Remove the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip from windshield wiper motor crank pin.

1. Remove nut and ground strap.

1. Remove three attaching nuts from windshield wiper motor. Remove the windshield wiper motor .

Installation

1. Position the windshield wiper motor and install the three attaching screws. Tighten to 13.6-19.0 Nm (10-14 ft-lb).

1. Install nut and ground strap.

1. Connect wiper motor electrical connector.

1. Install clip completely onto right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip. Make sure the clip is fully seated. Do not put the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip on the motor crank pin and then try to install the clip.

1. Install the left windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the wiper motor crank pin.

1. Install the right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the wiper motor crank pin. Pull the windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip onto the crank pin until it snaps into place. The clip is properly installed if the nib is protruding through the center of the clip.

1. Install the right windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and nut. Tighten the nut to 9.5-12.5 Nm (84-110 in-lb). NOTE: When the battery has been disconnected and reconnected, some abnormal drive symptoms may occur while the powertrain control module (PCM) (12A650) relearns its adaptive strategy. The vehicle may need to be driven 10 miles or more to relearn the strategy.
   

1. Connect the battery ground cable and turn the ignition switch on. Turn turn signal and windshield wiper switch off so windshield wiper motor will park, then turn ignition switch off. Replace right windshield wiper adapter and connecting arm clip access cover.

1. Install the windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft and windshield wiper blade assemblies on the pivot shafts to dimension X. Dimension X is the distance between the centerline of the blade saddle and the top edge of the cowl top outer panel grille. The value of Dimension X for each vehicle is given in the Dimension X chart in the Specifications portion of this section.

1. Test the system.

Pull the wiper arm assembly away from windshield till they lock in the out position,then tilt the wiper blade so the arm and blade look like the letter T,at the top of the arm where the blade connects you will see a part of the blade that has a push inward clip,push it in and pull down on wiper blade.

YOU NEED A REPAIR MANUAL. ALSO YOU WILL HAVE TO REMOVE COWL COVER WIPER WASHER HOSE AND DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AT WIPER MOTOR..THE WIPER ARMS HAS TO COME OFF.BUT GET A REPAIR MANUAL.IT WILL MAKE YOUR JOB EASY.

According to the Haynes repair manual Chapter 12:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable
2. Detach washer hoses, lift the wiper arm covers and mark the wiper arm locations on the pivot shaft for later re-installation. Remove the wiper pivot nut and remove the wiper arms.
3. Remove the cowl cover (from chapter 11)
3a. Remove the wiper arms then remove the screws that hold the lower area of the cowl cover to the wiper module.
3b. Disengage the quarter turn fasteners that hold the outer ends of the cowl cover to the wiper module.
3c. Open the hood and release the wing nuts that hold the front of the cowl cover to the wiper module.
3d. Close the hood but do not latch it. Now remove the outboard screws and lift the cover up enough to get to the washer hose.
3e. Disconnect the washer hose from the right washer nozzle. Close the hood but do not latch it. Lift the cowl cover toward the windshield and off the vehicle.
3f. Installation is the reverse of removal
4.Open the hood. Disconnect the wiper motor electrical connector.
5. Disconnect the windshield washer hose from the coupling inside the unit. Disconnect the drain tubes from the bottom of the wiper unit.
6. Remove the wiper unit mounting bolts. (Picture appears to be three (possibly allen head) bolts)
7. Remove wiper unit.
8. Installation is the reverse of removal. Wiper blade and wiper arm adjustment is measured with the wipers parked; correct adjustment is the lower wiper arm approximately 1.5 inches distance from the cowl cover and the upper arm approximately 2.5 inches from the lower arm. Operate the wiper motor and check that the wiper motor parks when the wiper switch is OFF.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
(I made images larger at the end of instructions)
See Figures 1, 2 and 3
Fig. 1: Unbolt the wiper motor from the housing Fig. 2: A little maneuvering may be required to pull the motor out Fig. 3: Exploded view of the wiper motor and associated components that make up the wiper system

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the wiper arm and blade assemblies, then disconnect the in-line hose connections. Do not discard the in-line connectors.
3. Remove the rear hood seal with the cowl top plastic screen. Disconnect the washer hose in-line connectors.
4. Disconnect the motor wiring harness at the back side of the housing.
5. Remove the four wiper housing module mounting screws, then remove the housing.
6. Remove the nut and disconnect the wiper drive linkage from the motor crank.
7. Remove the three motor mounting screws. Lift the motor and mounting plate out of the housing.
8. Disconnect the motor harness grommet from the housing.

To install:

1. Assemblethe linkage to the motor. Make sure that the crank fits over the D sloton the motor shaft. Tighten the mounting nut to 90-106 inch lbs. (11-14Nm). Be sure the motor is still in the park position before assemblingto the linkage; if it is not, temporarily connect the motor to thewiring and operate the switch to park the motor before assembling thelinkage.
2. Position the wiper motor and install the retaining nuts until snug.
3. Attach the linkage drive crank to the motor crank arm.
4. Plug the wiper motor wiring back together.
5. Install the wiper motor cover.
6. Install the wiper arms and plastic cowl removed previously.
7. Connect the negative battery cable and check the wiper motor for proper operation.
   

Copyright © 2002 Delmar, All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © 2002 Delmar, All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2002 Delmar, All Rights Reserved.

the wiper arms are not connected to motor somehow.I am not sure on your vehicle but some gm cars are a press fit so check and be sure the wipers are tight on shaft