Windshield wiper failure on 98 Chevy Malibu

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.

Did you check the wiper relay's in the under hood fuse box ? There are two ,wiper run/park relay & wiper high low relay ! Also ,did you check fuse's ? fuse # 11 - 30amp location cental juction box . The wiper switch is a input to the GEM module . Generic electronic module . The module in most cases isn't the problem ! Learning how to test these electronic systems is , people do not know how to test so they just replace parts . What they should do is take the vehicle to ford certified Technician who has the knowledge and testing equipment to find an fix it .

The generic electronic module (GEM) receives inputs from the following:

• multifunction switch
• anti-lock brake control module (vehicle speed signal [VSS])
• ignition switch

The GEM uses these inputs to control the outputs to the following:

• windshield wiper high/low relay
• windshield wiper run/park relay
• windshield washer relay
• rear wiper motor relay
• rear window washer relay
• 
  GEM Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index DTC Description Source Action B1240 Wiper Washer Rear Pump Relay Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test K . B1241 Wiper Washer Rear Pump Relay Circuit Short to Battery + GEM GO to Pinpoint Test K . B1342 ECU is Defective GEM CLEAR the DTCs. REPEAT the GEM self-test. If DTC B1342 is retrieved, INSTALL a new GEM. REFER to Section 419-10 . B1431 Wiper Brake/Run Relay Circuit Failure GEM If the windshield wipers are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test B .
  If the windshield wipers stay on continuously, GO to Pinpoint Test C . B1432 Wiper Brake/Run Relay Circuit Short to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test B . B1434 Wiper Hi/Low Speed Relay Coil Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test D . B1436 Wiper Hi/Low Speed Relay Coil Circuit Short to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test D . B1438 Wiper Mode Select Switch Circuit Failure GEM If the windshield wipers are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test B .
  If both the windshield and rear window wipers are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test L . B1441 Wiper Mode Select Switch Circuit Short to Ground GEM GO to Pinpoint Test C . B1446 Wiper Park Sense Circuit Failure GEM If the intermittent windshield wiper speed does not operate correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test E .
  If the speed dependent interval mode does not operate correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test G .
  If both windshield and rear wipers are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test L . B1450 Wiper Wash/Delay Switch Circuit Failure GEM If the intermittent windshield wiper speed does not operate correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test E .
  If the wash and wipe function does not operate correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test F .
  If both the windshield and rear wipers are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test L . B1453 Wiper Wash/Delay Switch Circuit Short to Ground GEM If the windshield wipers stay on continuously, GO to Pinpoint Test C .
  If the wash and wipe function does not operate correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test F . B1458 Wiper Washer Pump Motor Relay Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test F . B1460 Wiper Washer Pump Motor Relay Coil Circuit Short to Battery GEM GO to Pinpoint Test F . B1473 Wiper Low Speed Circuit Motor Failure GEM If the windshield wipers are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test B .
  If the windshield wipers do not operate at high or low speed correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test D .
  If the intermittent windshield wiper speed does not operate correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test E . B1475 Accessory Delay Relay Contact Short to Battery GEM REFER to Section 501-11 . B1476 Wiper High Speed Circuit Motor Failure GEM If the windshield wipers are inoperative, GO to Pinpoint Test B .
  If the windshield wipers do not operate at high or low speed correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test D .
  If the intermittent windshield wiper does not operate correctly, GO to Pinpoint Test E . B1611 Rear Wiper Mode Switch Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test H . B1614 Rear Wiper Mode Switch Circuit Short to Ground GEM GO to Pinpoint Test I . B1820 Rear Wiper Motor Up Relay Circuit Short to Battery + GEM GO to Pinpoint Test H . B1839 Rear Wiper Motor Circuit Failure GEM GO to Pinpoint Test H . - All other DTCs. GEM REFER to Section 419-10

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

wiper motor stripped
maybe a rod off.

The wiper transmission has come off the motor drive shaft. Remove the cowl in front of the windshield and see if you can reattach it.

check the nuts on the wiper arms and make sure they are tight. If the nuts are tight then a linkage on the wiper transmission probably came loose or broke. You'll have to pull some cowling off to access it.

I would say that the wiper motor arms have jumped off and you have to take the rill right under your windshield off and snap the wiper motor arm back on to the wiper motor and then put the grill back on there and then you are all set to use them again.

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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
   

----------------------------------------------------------
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.

• Windshield Wipers Continue to Run When Turn Signal and Windshield Wiper Switch Are Turned OFF

• Damaged turn signal and windshield wiper switch .
• Damaged windshield wiper motor .
• Damaged windshield wiper control module.

Pin Number Circuit Circuit Function 1 57 (BK) Wiper Motor Ground (Park) 2 28 (BK/PK) Wiper Module to Wiper Motor (Park Switch) 3 65 (DG) Wiper Motor Power (Park Feed) 4 61 (Y/R) Wiper Motor Common (RUN) 5 56 (DB/O) Wiper Motor LO 6 58 (W) Wiper Motor HI
Windshield Wiper System The windshield wiper system consists of :

• Windshield wiper motor (17508) (F-type).
• Washer system.
• Windshield wiper control module.
• Turn signal and windshield wiper switch (13K359).

The windshield wiper control module is:

• Located at the instrument panel fuse panel.

The windshield wiper motor is:

• Attached to the cowl top extension (021A36) .
• Connected to windshield wiper mounting arm and pivot shaft (17566) .

The turn signal and windshield wiper switch features a:

• Rotary wiper switch.
• Push type washer actuator.

OFF/Low/High Speed

• Has a two-speed, permanent magnet, three brush electric windshield wiper motor .
• The windshield wiper motor has a brush rigging that permits selection of low or high speed.
• When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is in the LO position, the common brush and the blue/orange wire brush are used, and the windshield wiper motor operates at low speed.
• When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is in the HI position, the common brush and the white wire brush are used.
• In HI position, electric current will bypass a portion of the armature winding causing the windshield wiper motor to operate faster.
• When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is moved to the OFF position, the windshield wiper motor will continue at low speed until the park switch outer contacts open.
• When the park switch contacts open, the windshield wiper motor stops in the park position.

Interval
When the turn signal and windshield wiper switch is in the interval position:

• The wipers make single wipes separated by pauses.
• The rotary switch is on the end of turn signal and windshield wiper switch .
• The length of the pause can be set from approximately 1 to 17 seconds.
• Length of pause decreases as the rotary switch is rotated away from off.
• Length of pause increases as the rotary switch is rotated toward off.

While in the interval wiper mode:

• It is normal to hear a slight click at the beginning of each on/pause cycle. NOTE: When using interval wipers, the first wipe may not occur until after a pause of up to 17 seconds.
  

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.