Front Windshield wipers don't work - Sprayer and Rear Does

[CanyonJim028]

Earlier this week during my commute in the rain, my my front windshield wipers suddenly stopped working.

They were working fine and suddenly stopped in the up position. They only stopped long enough for me to realize the oddity, then resumed. Over the next few minutes this would happen a many more times (sometimes up, sometime down, sometimes in the middle). A few times they would get stuck for an extended period, and sometimes they would almost jitter, like it power was cutting in and out. Eventually they got stuck and didn't move again. This time they got stuck in the up position, great!

Through the next 20 minutes of driving I tested the various options.

• The front washer still sprays (but when the washer sprays, it doesn't wipe
• The rear wiper still sprays
• the rear wiper works fine
• the front wipers do NOT work regardless the stalk/dial position.

As I was driving through my neighborhood, a random pull down on the stalk and the front wiper worked long enough to return most of the way down.

Three days later and was the last time the wipers worked.

Since the then, I have inspected the and replaced the fuse (it looked fine, replaced anyways). Disconnected the negative battery terminal for ~10 minutes as inspected the wiring and ground connections (everything looks clean).

I'm lost on where to look next. Aside from this issues, there are Zero other electrical or mechanical issues with the car.

Having trouble finding similar issues with the Fiesta, but focus and Escape forums state potential issues with the BCM, wiper motor, fuse, or battery current sensor).

Car is a 2019 with 75,000 miles and has not had electrical or mechanical modifications.

I included some pictures of the battery current sensor for reference.

Has anyone here experienced anything similar? Any recommended next steps?

 

[Sam4]

Buy some RainX today - it works until you figure this out.

 

[CanyonJim028]

Buy some RainX today - it works until you figure this out.

Yup, I'll be reapplying some ceramic coating for sure, same principal.

Doesn't help with Frost, snow, and other junk though :/

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Do you own a test light to verify power at the wiper motor?

 

[CanyonJim028]

Do you own a test light to verify power at the wiper motor?

I've got multi meter I can dig up. Looks like the wiper motor might be buried in there.

Are the similar/related things to check before digging that far in?

 

[TyphoonFiST]

I've got multi meter I can dig up. Looks like the wiper motor might be buried in there.

Are the similar/related things to check before digging that far in?

Not really.....I can get the cowl off in about 5 mins I've had it off so many times. It should take a you about 15-20 minutes first time.

 

[CanyonJim028]

Not really.....I can get the cowl off in about 5 mins I've had it off so many times. It should take a you about 15-20 minutes first time.

Good to know. Thank you.

 

[CanyonJim028]

Does anyone know the PIN out for the harness connection to the wiper motor? So I can see if it's getting power?

 

[Sam4]

Yup, I'll be reapplying some ceramic coating for sure, same principal.

Doesn't help with Frost, snow, and other junk though :/

actually....

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Does anyone know the PIN out for the harness connection to the wiper motor? So I can see if it's getting power?

Turn the switch on so the wipers are in the Run position * back probe the body side connector and look for the test light to blink* it will only have power one way.

 

[WannabeST]

I deleted the wipers on my fiesta in a weight savings effort since I'm limited on what I can and can't remove. If you cover shipping you are more than welcome to have the motor. I trashed the wipers themselves but the motor was in perfectly good running condition. Disclaimer mine came off my SE. I'm pretty sure SE and ST are the same but I just want to make you aware.

 

[CanyonJim028]

I deleted the wipers on my fiesta in a weight savings effort since I'm limited on what I can and can't remove. If you cover shipping you are more than welcome to have the motor. I trashed the wipers themselves but the motor was in perfectly good running condition. Disclaimer mine came off my SE. I'm pretty sure SE and ST are the same but I just want to make you aware.

I love that, thank you! I'll DM you if it goes that route.

 

[CanyonJim028]

Okay, here are the results with the multi-meter.

These Tests are using ground on the body of the car (same ground the battery is on).

Pin 1 (orange & white)
- position 0 = mv
- position 1 = mv
- position 2 = mv
- position 3 = 13.9v
- position -1 = mv

Pin 2 (Grey & Orange)
- position 0 = mv
- position 1 = 13.9v - only for 10-15 seconds
- position 2 = 13.3v - forever
- position 3 = mv
- position -1 = 13.9v - only for 10-15 seconds

Pin 3 (Black & Blue)
- position 0 = 13.3v - forever
- position 1 = 13.3v - forever
- position 2 = 13.3v - forever
- position 3 = 13.3v - forever
- position -1 = 13.3v - forever

Pin 4 (Black)
- position 0 = mv
- position 1 = mv
- position 2 = mv
- position 3 = mv
- position -1 = mv

My assumption is that Pin 4 (black cable on the harness) is the ground cable. If I have the multimeter's negative probe on this pin, instead of the existing ground... I should get the same results, right?

 

[Intuit]

Have you checked the BCM for codes?
Got any aftermarket equipment that would be connected to the BCM? (if so, disconnect that equipment then test)
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...l-flash-wiper-stop-resolved.29473/post-496986

.

 

[TyphoonFiST]

Motor is done* this all means the switch is doing it's job.

 

[CanyonJim028]

Have you checked the BCM for codes?
Got any aftermarket equipment that would be connected to the BCM? (if so, disconnect that equipment then test)
https://www.fiestastforum.com/threa...l-flash-wiper-stop-resolved.29473/post-496986

.

I have not checked the BCM for codes. What type of reader can do that?

No aftermarket parts that I am aware of. Bought the card used in 2020 with < 20,000 miles. I see no remnants of aftermarket parts.

 

[CanyonJim028]

Motor is done* this all means the switch is doing it's job.

So after this testing, I was looking at replacement motors on rockauto. One of them had a PDF linked that suggested to apply a ground cable directly to the motor housing.

It suggests:

• If the motor does NOT work when applying ground then the motor is bad.
• If the motor works when applying ground, then there is a grounding issue throughout the wiring.

I did this, and my motor works with ground applied directly.... So I have a grounding issue somewhere throughout that harness?

 

[Intuit]

I have not checked the BCM for codes. What type of reader can do that?

No aftermarket parts that I am aware of. Bought the card used in 2020 with < 20,000 miles. I see no remnants of aftermarket parts.

FORscan in conjunction with an wired OBD-II USB adapter from Amazon...

The FORscan website has some recommendations for compatibel adapters.

 

[xSTEYNx]

Hi, did you solve the problem?