This 2012 Honda CRV came to our Japanese auto repair shop in Ann Arbor, MI, because the windshield wipers would not park or return to their home position at the bottom of the windshield.
Windshield Wiper Motor Failure causes this problem.
This repair required replacing the Honda CR-V Windshield Wiper Motor.
In This Article:
Problem Description
Diagnosis
Cause
Repair
Cost
Tips
Recommended Auto Repair Shop
Customer Reviews
Problem Description
Wipers won't park due to windshield wiper motor failure.
On certain Honda CR-V models, a faulty front wiper motor can cause the wipers to not stop in the parked position or not stop moving when switched off. The affected CR-V model years date back to 1997.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of wipers not stopping in the park position when switched off or not stopping moving when switched off is very straightforward. If the wiper motor works correctly except for returning to the park position or will not stop moving when the wipers are switched off, the problem is in the motor's parking mechanism. Technicians with Honda experience recognize this problem very quickly.
Inexperienced technicians might confuse sloppy, inaccurate wiper arm parking caused by a worn wiper transmission with a defective wiper motor. The symptoms are very different, but they could be confused without seeing both problems. Technician experience allows for a correct diagnosis.
How do I know if my windshield wiper motor is bad?
6 common symptoms of a faulty or bad window wiper motor are:
- Wipers don't move.
- Wipers only move at one speed.
- Wipers park in the wrong position.
- Wipers are moving slowly or oddly.
- Burning or electric smell when wipers are used.
- Wiper motor makes humming or unusual noises.
Other wiper problems:
- wiper scratching window.
- wiper fluid spray not working.
- wiper leaving streaks on glass.
- wiper pivot bushings worn out.
- wiper arms loose or have excessive play.
- wiper transmission linkage bushings worn, causing excess wiper arm play.
Cause
What causes windshield wiper motor failure?
The wiper motor parking mechanism and electronic circuitry fail. Wiper motor failure can be caused by a defective wiper motor, vehicle age and amount of wiper use, or improper use during severe winter conditions.
Caution: using the vehicle's windshield washer to break free wipers frozen to the windshield will damage the wiper motor. When the washer fluid spray pump is activated, the wiper motor is activated when the wiper blades are still frozen to the windshield. This results in the wiper motor being overloaded as it struggles to break the frozen blades free. The wiper motor damage is done before the washer fluid can defrost and free the wiper blades.
Frozen wiper blades can be loosened with the manual application of windshield washer antifreeze in a spray bottle. Spray the windshield antifreeze solution onto the wiper blades and allow it to melt the ice. Often, the ice needs multiple applications of windshield antifreeze plus a few minutes to soak in and dissolve the ice before the wipers are switched on. If the ice is thick, an ice scraper will help break it up and clear it from the windshield.
Repair
Can a Honda CR-V wiper motor be repaired?
The wiper parking mechanism is an integral part of the wiper motor and is not repairable or replaceable. This means the complete wiper motor assembly must be replaced.
After this Honda CR-V windshield wiper motor problem was diagnosed, our Honda technician removed the front wiper motor from inside the engine compartment. First, with the hood closed, both wiper arms are removed. The splines on the wiper drive shaft and the wiper arm are inspected. If found to be serviceable, the wiper arms are set aside for reuse.
Next, the cowl panels immediately below the windshield are removed to gain access to the wiper motor and wiper transmission assembly. Next, the wiper transmission cover panel is removed. Any accumulated leaves, dust, and debris are vacuumed out. The wiper transmission and motor assembly is unbolted, the electrical power cable disconnected, and the wiper transmission assembly carefully removed from the vehicle. Then, the motor is disconnected from the transmission and removed. The wiper transmission is inspected to ensure it is in serviceable condition and can be reused.
The new wiper motor is attached to the transmission, and the assembly is reinstalled in the vehicle. Next, the electrical harness is connected, and the new wiper motor is verified to function. Once the motor is verified to work correctly, the wiper transmission cover panel is reinstalled and bolted into place. Then, the cowl panels are installed. Next, if the wiper blades are to be replaced, they are installed on the wiper arms, and the wiper arms are installed. The final step is to check that the wiper arms are positioned correctly and that the wipers operate correctly.
The vehicle owner will be happy now that they can rely on their wipers, and the new wiper blades give them a streak-free view on those stormy Ann Arbor nights!
Cost
How much does it cost to replace a windshield wiper motor?
The national average for 2012 Honda CR-V Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement cost is reported to be between $280 - $400, including replacement wiper motor. The price varies depending on vehicle year, vehicle options, the repair shop location within the country, and the quality of the replacement wiper motor. Diagnosis, additional parts, environmental and disposal fees, and taxes are not included.
Tips
The most common cause of wiper motor failure is switching on the wipers when the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield. Using the wiper motor to break frozen wipers free will damage the wiper motor.
If the wiper blades are frozen on the windshield when the wipers are switched on, the motor will quickly overload when it cannot move. The electrical overload will overheat the motor and damage the wiring and wiper parking circuit.
To prevent wiper motor damage, frozen wiper blades can be loosened with windshield antifreeze in a spray bottle. Spray the windshield antifreeze solution onto the wiper blades and wait a few minutes to soften and melt the ice. Using an ice scraper can speed up the deicing process.
Recommended Honda Repair shop in Ann Arbor, MI
Contact Hoover Street Auto Repair for all your Honda services in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Our Honda technicians have the skill and experience to diagnose and repair your Honda CR-V HR-V problems correctly diagnose and repair your Honda CR-V HR-V problems. We are a Honda service specialist in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area.