Windshield wiper help please

Hey all, I have a 2001 Ford Ranger with a 3.8, short cab, 6ft bed. I live in Minnesota, and things got pretty icey last night. Knowing it could easily cause problems, I lifted the blade off the windshield to un-ice it. The bottom mounts on the blade was a little iced over, but nothing terrible. On my way home today, my front windshield got caked with slush, so I flipped on the wipers. They went up hesitantly and as they were about to come back down they stopped. I quickly turned off the wipers and finished the drive home. Once there I flicked it on and off two/three times to see if they would move again. I removed all ice from the blade mounts and made sure everything was unfrozen. Carefully pressed on the blade and turned on the wipers. Still nothing. Pulled the wiper fuse (16 I believe), and it was perfectly fine. I shut off the truck, ran inside, came back out fired her up, and when I turned the wipers on again they figited like they were frozen and trying to move once then stopped all together. I shut off the truck again, took out the key, and when I opened the door, the warning tone came on as if the lights were on, etc. I flicked the wiper control on then off again and the ringing stopped. Repeated and had the same results.

First thing I thought was the motor had gone out, but the figiting somewhat made me think otherwise. Then with the warning chime continuing I was leaning towards a short in the linkage.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'd prefer not to take it in and get some ideas here first if possible. All help would be appreciated