My windshield wipers stopped working but I can hear the motor going back and forth inside the cowl .Can I repair this myself or should I take it to a dealer?

Possible wiper linkage has broken/seperated from wiper motor. The wiper cowling covering the linkage assembly will need to be removed to inspect/repair

sounds like the linkage came unhooked under the hood. Sometimes you can just pop it back on other times if its broke you will have to install a new linkage.

I would make an assumption as it is the wiper motor going bad. Most any I have seen the motor runs in a constant 360 degree revolution and not back and forth. The back and forth motion comes from the linkages under the plastic cowl in front of the windshield.

It can be faulty wiper motor or blown wiper control fuse.

Do you hear any kind of noise when you starter the wiper function. If yes then fuse is ok, but issue is wiper motor.

If no movement at all and no noise then its blown fuse or shorted/loose wiper control wiring:-----

For complete troubleshooting i suggest you few helpful links with accurate solutions.

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Click the link below:-------

Complete wiper components replacing details ?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/complete-wiper-components-replacing.html

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1993 Ford F350 wipers not working?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/02/1993-ford-f350-wipers-not-working.html

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How to Replace a Windshield Wiper Motor

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/07/how-to-replace-windshield-wiper-motor.html

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Wipers not working, but hear relay click on Lincoln LS?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/wipers-not-workingbut-hear-relay-click.html

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Car windshield wiper gets power for movement and stops?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-windshield-wiper-gets-power-for.html

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How does cars Windshield Wiper System Works

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-does-cars-windshield-wiper-system.html

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1997 Honda Protege: Replace Wiper Transmission?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/06/1997-honda-protege-replace-wiper.html

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Windshield wiper fluid container leaking?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/windshield-wiper-fluid-container.html

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Where is wiper fuse located on1993 chevrolet suburban

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/where-is-wiper-fuse-located-on1993.html

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2002 Toyota Sienna: Wipers and Passenger side Power window stopped working?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/2002-toyota-sienna-wipers-and-passenger.html

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These details will help.

Thanks.

Your wiper linkage has come off the wiper motor. To reconnect the linkage, first remove the wiped arms, the remove the wiped cowl. The wiper cowl bolts are located under the hood and screws through the spaces in the cowl. Reconnect linkage, reinstall cowl, reinstall wiped arms.

probably the nylon gear inside the wiper motor broke. Some are serviceable, some are not. If you want a used one go to car-part.com and look on page with asterisk for lowest cost.
For new gear (If serviceable) call tascafordparts.com for a discounted part.

Look into the cowl grille at the base of the windshield and watch to see if the linkages are moving back and forth. If not, it is the motor or gear inside the motor.

please rate highly if htis helps.

please rate as fixya if this is what you need. Mounting Arm and Pivot Shaft —Windshield Wiper Removal
NOTE: The windshield wiper pivot arms (17526) must be in the highest position to remove them.

1. Turn the ignition switch (11572) to the on position.

1. Turn the windshield wiper (17500) on.

1. Stop the windshield wiper pivot arms at the highest position by turning the ignition switch off.

1. Remove the windshield wiper pivot arm.
   1. Remove the pivot arm nut cover.
   1. Remove the nut.
   1. Remove the windshield wiper pivot arm.

1. Raise and support the hood (16612).

1. Remove the cowl grille seal.

NOTE: The two cowl grilles overlap at the center. The LH cowl grille must be removed first.

1. Remove the LH cowl grille.
   1. Remove the screw cover.
   1. Remove the screws.
   1. Remove the clips.
   1. Remove the pin-type retainer.
   1. Remove the LH cowl grille.

1. Remove the RH cowl grille.
   1. Remove the screw cover.
   1. Remove the screws.
   1. Remove the clips.
   1. Remove the pin-type retainer.
   1. Remove the RH cowl grille.

1. Remove the mounting arm and pivot shaft.
   1. Disconnect the electrical connector.
   1. Remove the bolts.
   1. Remove the mounting arm and pivot shaft.

Pivot Shafts and Linkage
The windshield wiper assembly is mounted below cowl top extension (021A36) . Linkages are connected with non-removable plastic ball joints. Windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shafts are an integral part of the windshield wiper and are serviced as one unit. Removal

1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301). Refer to Section 14-01 .
   

1. Remove antenna mast from the antenna base.
   

1. Remove cap on LH and RH windshield wiper pivot arms to expose nuts retaining the arms to pivot shafts.
   

1. Remove two nuts, one from each of windshield wiper pivot arms . Lift wiper arms to service position, carefully rocking them back and forth to loosen them from the pivot shaft. Lift off windshield wiper pivot arms .
   

1. Remove seven screws retaining the cowl top vent panel.
   

1. Disconnect windshield washer hose (17A605) at LH side of vehicle just ahead of where it enters cowl top.
   

1. Remove hood cowl seal.
   

1. Carefully remove cowl top vent panel from vehicle.
   

1. Remove three retaining screws to cowl drain tube that is connected to top cowl.
   

1. Disconnect wiring harness leading to windshield wiper motor.
   

1. Remove five screws retaining cowl top to vehicle and remove cowl top and windshield wiper from vehicle.
   

1. Remove two screws and two nuts retaining windshield wiper to cowl top and separate the two parts.
   

1. Remove drive linkage from motor shaft linkage.
   

1. Remove remaining screws attaching windshield wiper and separate the two parts.
   

Item Part Number Description 1 02010 Cowl Top Panel 2 N621906-S2 Nut (2 Req'd) 3 17508 Windshield Wiper Motor 4 N805605-S36 Screw (2 Req'd) 5 17500 Windshield Wiper Assembly A — Tighten to 9-12 Nm (80-106 Lb-In)

you might be able to claim it but how much is your deductible? I would look under the hood for the snapped linkage. should be located on fire wall under the windshield wipers and see if the autoparts store has one.

1) listen if windshield wiper motor is turning when switched on. The motor is under hood up near firewall.
If no noise and fuses are OK, motor may need replacement.

2) If motor can be heard whirring, then maybe the plastic link between the motor shaft and the wiper arm assy has worn or broken. (A very cheap part). This can be accessed by removing cowling or vents in front of windshield. This is a common failure.