1997 XLT 5.0L AWD - Jammed Wipers

[Only15mpg]

Front Wipers jammed after one pass due insuuficient clearing of snow and ice. Wipers didnt return to park. Fuse is okay. I observed wiper motor has very subtle intermitent movement. No clicking other than once each time I turn wipers on. Wiper blades move about 1/4 inch then back each time I turn engine on but no movenment thereafter. Is motor possibly okay ? Linkage bad ? Relay ? Thanks, JOhn. BTW, nice site here. enjoyed reading alot of posts.

[shorod]

Motor's possibly okay, maybe you stripped out the splines if the wipers were frozen when you turned them on. I don't know if there's a circuit breaker for the wipers or not. If the splines are stripped, you may need to get new wiper arms, or you might be able to get by with tapping the arms on further and making sure not to activate the wipers if they're frozen to the windshield.

-Rod

[Only15mpg]

I loosened the cowling clips but stopped once i cracked the end that was screwed on. I then melted the ice buildup underneath. Cranked the engine and heard the wiper motor trying to engage the wiper transmission, gave the wiper a shove and they returned to park. Problem is when the wiper makes one pass, it disengages and wont return to park on its own. Hope its just loose but think its more to it. I have a fractured wrist in a splint and since I broke the cowling, I'm throwing in the towel. Its going into the shop tomorrow. thanks for the help