Wiper motor has own mind 2004 CTS

**04ctstahorne** · 03-23-10 09:36 AM

Wipers start running without touching contols. Never know when they will stop or start. 2004 CTS. Any ideas on what to fix?

**ziggie** · 03-23-10 10:31 AM

My 03 had a habit of continuing to run--- once turned on to any speed, then "Later" the only way it would run is in the washer mode.

I had to have column sw and motor replaced to get it fixed.

**ILLMATIK** · 03-23-10 12:18 PM

I had this problem and it only got worse. What ends up happening is that the wipers never shut off while the car is on.

Buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-07...Q5fAccessories

It's an easy install too. I did this last summer and haven't had any probelms since.

**AmerLux** · 03-23-10 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by ILLMATIK

It's an easy install too. I did this last summer and haven't had any probelms since.

You got a step by step for install? I wrote up a how to for the cerpentine belt a couple months ago. I hope that helps folks understand how easy it really is.

This problem has been comming up alot lately and those of us with this issue could use some help... the ebay price is right! Now if i could only be sure i can install that thing myself.

**josney** · 03-23-10 01:43 PM

I just picked one up, I have the same problem. It has been a problem for a long time. Hopefully it will solve the problem. I will be sure to let everyone know.

ILLMATIK...thanks for the tip

**AmerLux** · 03-26-10 12:56 PM

ILLMATIK,

You got those step by steps?

**ILLMATIK** · 03-26-10 04:24 PM

Sorry brah i dont have the step by step but i'll try to explain. I'm not much of a handy man

The wiper motor is located right beneath the the driver's side windshield. If i recall correctly, you'll have to remove one of the pieces of rubber around there to get to it (it's a tight fit) once you get to it you just have to take out a couple of bolts and you can pull it out and bolt the new one in.

Not sure how much that'll help but give it a shot. As long as you have something to remove the bolts you should be able to do this in no time.

I know a few people here have done this here so maybe someone can chime in and articulate this procedure in more detail than what i just posted????

**Sammy Z** · 03-26-10 04:27 PM

I think there was a guy on this site that said i was the wiper motor cover that solved the problem, anyone remember that

**josney** · 03-26-10 05:41 PM

yeah, that part is over 100 bucks and this motor and transmission comes with a motor cover also. mine was just at $40 bucks shipped.

**josney** · 03-27-10 07:55 PM

I installed the motor/transmission that I got from ebay today and it solved my problem. I will try to get some photos up pretty soon. Believe me, it is a very simple swap. You first remove the wiper arms. There is a black cap on each wiper that comes off to reveal a 15mm nut, pretty sure that is the right size. Pop both sides off. You then have to remove the "black cover" that goes across the firewall. I started by just trying to do the drivers side, but the cover is in 2 pieces and it made things easier to get the whole thing off. If you have done the cabin filter swap, then you know how to get the passenger side off. There are 4 phillips-head screws that hold that half on. The drivers side is held on by 1 10mm nut.
The nut is actually on the front fender, just underneath the top lip of the fender. Once you get that cover off, everything is pretty simple. 2 10mm nuts hold the unit in and takes 2 minutes to swap. Replace the "black cover", snap the wiper arms back on, tighten the nuts and you are good to go. If you haven't done the cabin filter, do it at the same time. Hope this helps

**AmerLux** · 03-28-10 10:36 PM

Thanks Josney, im going to give it a go. I'll order that ebay one first thing tomorrow.

**drbeamish** · 05-01-11 02:44 PM

I also want to thank you Josney. I had the continuous running wipers problem and replaced the motor using your procedure. The job went very well and the wipers work great. I will add that the OEM replacement motor was $387.00, so I searched the net and found a re-manufactured motor from Auto Zone for $118.00. I ordered it and they had it at the store in two days. This motor also had a lifetime warrenty. Thanks for the great information!

**caddynate** · 06-11-11 10:17 AM

My wipers have also started having a mind of there own and kept going on radomly when they were selected off. I changed the motor and hasnt happend happened again yet. Keep in mind there is a recall for some terminal block on the connector supposely that can also be the root of the cause. The installation is easy but can get tricky if not experienced. I will summarize the remove/ install procerdure. If u ever have a job u performed please take the time and write something in the forums to help all of us out to avoid the high shop fees, and keep the at home mechanic alive. thanks.

1) have ignition off and pull wpr motor fuse (30a) , tape the location of the wipers and removed the cap the covers the bolt, remove the nut and kinda brake over the hinge backwards on the wiper arm and rock back and forth, side to side till it comes off.
2) take weather strip off on upper plastic, remove 4 small bolts on passenger side and one nut on drivers side (bolted to fender) and carefully removed plastic from under hood.
3)at this time u suggest taking a picture of the linkage (u CAN mess is up, from exp)
4) crack the 1/2 nut that hold the motor to the linkage
5) now removed 3 torq bolts from motor
6) on the passenger side the linkage bracket has a small 10mm bolt, removed that and it will give u plenty of wiggle room to removed the motor, so just finish loosening the 1/2 nut u cracked earlier and lift the bracket enough to pull the motor out.
7) disconnect the connector and take ur time. Disconnect it by lifting the big tab up and wiggle side to side. Dont mess with small tabs on the side unless u wanna possibly do some sodering and re-wiring.
8)look at the motor and make sure it has a LH stamp on it and a arrow that shows a counter clockwise direction ,install new motor, hook up linkage how it orginally was, put 10mm bolt back, put plastic back on without hardware, install wiper arms, (put 30a fuse back in)put wipers on, see if they work good(always pour water on ur windshield with wipers on to avoid damaging ur windshield), then finish with the plastic instllation
9)if u have any problems, i learned to disconnect the nut were the link attaches to the motor, work the linkage manually and figure out how the linkage is suppose to go. When i did this job, the motor moved a little when it first came on when i didnt have the wipers on yet and messed up the rigg in the linkage. so might be a good idea if ur having problems to leave the motor nut off when u turn it on and see if it moves. I think mine just wanted to be a pain in the a$$. Its about an hour job if nothing goes wrong and depending on how many times u drop a tool in the engine compartment and have to fish it out. hHAHA

**mstrjon32** · 06-21-11 10:46 AM

Any tip on what the part number might have been from AutoZone? My wipers have now decided that regardless of which setting is selected, the washer pump always runs in conjunction with the wipers. It's really quite annoying.

I'm assuming the problem is with the motor cover assembly, but I suppose it could be the multifunction switch, as well...

**dvc** · 07-03-11 08:19 AM

My 07 CTS had the same problem. Wipers would start without touching the switch. Followed the advice given here.

Used Wiper motor from Ebay for 50 dollars and 50 dollars for fixing it. No further trouble. But no warranty.

Dealer said the cost would be more than 400 dollars!