04 GAm.. Passenger wiper arm not moving.

[Klutz]

My wife called me last night and said that the passenger wiper arm is not working. The driver side is working fine. I went out to take a quick look this afternoon, in the -13 with the wind chill Temp, and noticed that when I move it by hand, there is no resistance. I can see a short metal plate or something moving with it, under the plastic cover though. Is there something that has fallen out that connects the two "Plates" so that the arms move together, or has something more costly possibly happened?
I will have to remove the shroud tomorrow morning to get a better look.. and how much work is that to do?

Thanks

Paul

[xeroinfinity]

Sounds like the linkage might have came loose inside.
Have you had alot of snow or ice recently ?

If you have, then that could be what caused the pins to come loose.
As you suspect though, taking it apart is the only way to know what came loose.

The wiper arm nuts are 12 or 13mm.
Might need to lightly pry those off.
Remove all the other push pins & or screws holding the panel on.

[Klutz]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

Sounds like the linkage might have came loose inside.
Have you had alot of snow or ice recently ?

Well, we do live in Ontario

She said it was when she was driving. They were fine then the one just stopped.
I removed the cowal today and took a look. I am not sure what is supposed to be there as a swivel bolt to connect the two linkages, but they were apart. I could not figure out how to get the bolt, or rivet, or whatever it is in there out. All I could do is squeeze them back together and take it to my body man on Tuesday. It works for now, but not sure how long it will stay connected. Probably first rain or snow again.
By the way.. the plastic cover comes off easy enough but is a real PITA to get back on.

Paul

[Klutz]

Gotta love GM products. I went to the dealer yesterday and explained the problem and asked what it would cost to put a new pin / rivet or whatever it was called to join the two plates together again. I was told that there was no way to do it and I had to purchase the entire wiper transmission to the tune of $117.00 + taxes... then.. another $190.00 for labour!!!!! I thought the Government were crooks.
Anyway, the owner of the dealership came over and told me that it was an easy job and I would be able to do it myself. (he saw my MG shirt and we started talking)
So I am going to pick up the transmission today and installing it I hope. Anyone else do one of these?

Paul

[xeroinfinity]

Hum....
I'll double check and make sure it cant be fixed other ways.

That is ridiculas when the labor exceeds the cost of the parts

I'll see if I can get some instructions for this if you need.

[Klutz]

That would be great if you could. I will hold off on getting the part.
Thanks

Paul

[justin0717]

This is a real easy fix,
Remove the wiper arm assemblies.
Disconnect the washer tubing from the air inlet screen.
remove the air inlet grille panel push-in retainers from the panel.
Remove the air inlet grille panel from the vehicle.

Disconnect the wiper motor electrical connector.
should be 3 10mm bolts holding all in. remove them
Remove the wiper drive system module screws.
Remove the wiper drive system module from the vehicle.
disconnect the wiper transmission from the wiper motor crank arm.
Remove the wiper motor screws.
Remove the wiper motor from the wiper transmission.

installation is reverse hope it helps

[xeroinfinity]

Not bad direction but try this too
Wiper motor/linkage removal 99+ Grand Am

Those are two seperate parts, as indicated in that thread above.
If you dont need the motor, you can just buy the linkage/trans which is probly expensive from the dealer.
Might also check for a used linkage assy in a salvage yard, which I'm sure you have salavge yards in Canada dont you?

[justin0717]

Wow, nice job with the how to.

[Klutz]

I picked up a wiper transmission at the wreckers yesterday for $50.00 and will attempt to put it in by following the above directions.
Thanks for the help and I will let you all know the result.

Paul

[Klutz]

Well.. Got my tools set out.... got the new transmission ready... and...

15 minutes. Yup. 15 minutes from removing the top cover to finishing the job. How could the GM dealer dare to charge $190.00 labour to do this simple job?
Unbelievable.
Thanks for all the help.

Paul

[xeroinfinity]

How could the GM dealer dare to charge $190.00 labour to do this simple job?
Unbelievable.

Thats why I call it the "stealership"