97 Grand rear wiper no longer works

[Wil_G]

It started acting up where I'd slide switch to ON and it would sometimes start or not. Checked #8 fuse and it's good. Took wiper blade assembly off, turned switch and still nothing, shaft doesn't turn. How do I know it's the motor? BTW, the hatch is down when testing. Do I have to take the whole plastic inside cover off and how hard is that? Is there a manual where I could see a diagram? Thanks again.

[The_Penguin]

It's probably the motor bushing that's siezed.
You could try apraying it with penetrating oil, and leaving it for a few hours, then trying it again, perhaps "helping it" by hand as well.
I got mine going again doing that, though it still needed replacing eventually.

[Wil_G]

Originally Posted by The_Penguin

It's probably the motor bushing that's siezed.
You could try apraying it with penetrating oil, and leaving it for a few hours, then trying it again, perhaps "helping it" by hand as well.
I got mine going again doing that, though it still needed replacing eventually.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm wondering, how do I go about removing that plastic hatch cover. It looks like it's a one piece unit. Do I remove with the hatch open? Do I also have to unscrew it completely from the outside where the wiper hooks up?

[dksob81]

Ia ctually have the same problem with my jeep, the rear wiper used to work, but then it would go back and forth a couple times and just stop, and now it doesn't do anything at all

[Wil_G]

I took the motor out only to find it pretty much self-sealed. There were 3 nuts under the circuit board which I couldn't reach without breaking the solder, and this white plastic box attached under the board which looked broken. Looks like I should shop for another motor, unless someone else has better advice. BTW, how much do these motors cost? I'm in Canada, so I expect to pay more. And also, my Jeep's hatch window is not designed to open. Will any motor from 1996-1998 fit? Thanks again in advance.

[The_Penguin]

I'm in Canada as well. I got the motor for my '95 back in November, it was $150.00 you get $32.00 back if you return the old one.

[Wil_G]

Originally Posted by The_Penguin

I'm in Canada as well. I got the motor for my '95 back in November, it was $150.00 you get $32.00 back if you return the old one.

This must be a price quote from Canadian Tire. Think I'll check the junk yards 1st while remembering...Buyer beware.

[The_Penguin]

Originally Posted by Wil_G

This must be a price quote from Canadian Tire. Think I'll check the junk yards 1st while remembering...Buyer beware.

No, that was a Jeep dealership.

Chances are one from a junkyard will have the same problem. The less it gets used, the more likely it is to sieze up.

[dksob81]

damn thats cheap, i priced one from autozone (I think) it was around $280

[jen52]

Originally Posted by dksob81

damn thats cheap, i priced one from autozone (I think) it was around $280

I had the same problem with my 98 GC. I found a site on the internet that explained how to take the motor apart. The shaft with the gear on it had to be driven out of the motor body. I took emery cloth, cleaned and oiled it. It works now but for how long I don't know. The motors I priced were about $180.

[a_alyte]

I recently replaced the rear wiper motor in my '98 & I paid $55 from the dealer. This price is after I received $20 back for giving them my old one (core).

[jen52]

Originally Posted by a_alyte

I recently replaced the rear wiper motor in my '98 & I paid $55 from the dealer. This price is after I received $20 back for giving them my old one (core).

Thanks. I'll check it out this next summer.

[dksob81]

well I guess I forgot to update this thread about my Rear Wiper fix, I had the same problem in my 94 Grand Cherokee,

there is a metal bushing on the wiper shaft that gets siezed up, so I took the motor apart and pulled the bushings off the shaft and used sand paper to smooth the shaft out, same with the inside of the metal bushing, grease the shaft and put it back together with the bushing (I end up banging the bushing up pretty good trying to get them off so I didn't put the one back on, the only bad thing about this is now the lil rubber water seal won't stay on - so there is a chance water might leak through my rear hatch).

well it's been about a month and it's still working.
my exact problem was, the wiper motor was workign fine when I first got my jeep (febuary) then about 2 months later it would start fine but aftr a couple passes it would slow down to the point it would come to a complete stop, then maybe a month after all that it wouldn't turn at all.