Wipers will not move, makes noise and there is power to the motor. Motor was replaced. Someone told me that the arms probably moved to far and are now stuck, how do I fix this?

If upon turning the switch, you hear either a buzzing or a noise coming from the wiper area but no movement of the windshield wipers, then it becomes likely that there is a mechanical problem. In front wiper systems, there are two moving parts, the wiper motor and the wiper transmission. In rear wiper systems with a single wiper, there’s a single moving part, the wiper motor.

If you hear a buzz, it could be a motor straining to move a jammed wiper transmission or a locked motor gear. If you hear a grind coming from the wiper area, it could be a stripped gear in either the motor, the transmission or where the wiper arm splines to the wiper motor in the rear. Don’t let the term transmission fill you with dread; it’s simply a term for a multi-lever set of arms and hinges that turn the circular motion of the wiper motor into the side to side motion of the wiper arms. It is also possible that the spline on the post of the front wiper arms is stripped.

Generally speaking, you can reach the motor and transmission by removing the wiper arms, all the screws that hold the cowl beneath the wiper arms and the weather stripping. Once exposed, you should be able to remove the motor from the transmission and check to see if the transmission is binding or if the motor is the culprit. Simply, replace the culprit, and reassemble.

If the problem is with the rear wiper system, getting to the wiper motor can be more difficult with far more trim to remove than with a front system. You may elect to consult your mechanic for help.

I guess the real question is,,, is it "trying" because the motor is too weak to move the wiper arms or is it trying because the wiper transmission is broken or otherwise defect ? You may be able to determine that by trying to manually assist the wipers by tugging gently on the arms. If the motor takes over and moves them then it most likely needs a new motor. If it doesn't move or moves very easily by hand with very little resistance it probably needs a new transmission. In either case, it's going to need a parts replacement.

I have the same problem with a 2001 Legacy wagon. The problem is not as simple as the solutions above. Mine are adjusted to park as low as possible when turned off. Even so, the blade on the drivers side goes all the way off the windshield. The Subaru dealer wants to replace the whole wiper blade transmission for about $450. Looking online it seems to be interconnecting arms and pivot points that connect the motor to the wiper blade arms.

There is a motor above the firewall in the engine compartment.(Not easy to get at). To that motor there is a gear that attaches the motor to the wiper arms. Tighten that connection. You may want to try to turn the wipers on then off. Thiss will put the blades in what it thinks is the rest position. Other wise they may be out of wack. So with the wipers off loosen the drive gear force the wipers down all the way and then tighten.

Good luck.

ash

did you check the nuts at the end of wiper arms make sure their tight, also if u can move both arms across windshield real easy your wiper transmission is bad

either linkage broke/ jammed or motor is stuck -makin noise but not movin open hood and with wiper on feel motor- its on firewall-for movement if moving turn off motor now try to move wipers if move freely than they are broken off or have disconnected from the motor need to remove the cowl to access the wipers linkages

It sounds like the wiper linkage has come loose. Need to remove cowling just below windshield to inspect.

Charlie

Probably stripped the little splines where wiper arm attaches to pivot. Flip the cover up where arm attaches to pivot, and tighten nuts on there, but be careful not to go too far, its not hard to snap the pivot stud if you tighten too much. make sure wipers are off, in park position, and move arms to where they should be, then tighten. See if you still get loud noise after. If you do, somethings wrong under cowl, in the linkages or motor. You may be able to see something with flashlight or troublelight.

remove your cowl panel right at the back of the hood and look at the linkage that attaches to the motor. It has probably come of or broken. Hope this solves your problem Merry Christmas! and God Bless!