Windshield Wiper Motor - special marine use, or NAPA??

[garyk]

I need to replace a windshield wiper motor (seems to be shorted out -- makes a buzzing noise but doesn't operate). Pretty disapointing as this aftermarket option cost about $250 installed from a local boat shop, and doesn't have a hour's operating time on it.

On our small fishing boats, are the wiper motors anything special, like built for marine use, or can I get one off the shelf at NAPA?

[namu mac]

Take it apart and see if it is just corroded/dirty. Clean it up and reinstall. What's to loose?:twocents:

[woodsy188]

I agree, take it apart and look for an obvious repairable problem.

If you need a new one, I wouldn't worry about a special marine part. You only need marine electronics for high voltage parts in your engine compartment.

Most other marine electronics are a marketing ploy in my opinion.

[retaliate]

I've gone thru 3 wiper motors on my Boat in 7 years, mostly Salt Water use, I was able to clean, & re-lube the first 2 motors once each, or the total would have been higher, needless to say I'm not impressed with the wiper motors boat manufacterers put on their Boats, or the replacement motors they have available either, will a car wiper motor work?, maybe...if your not using in Salt, or taking alot of water on your windshield, altho you might not be able to get the proper sweep from a car wiper motor anyway, my Boat takes alot of Saltwater on the windshield, & somehow Saltwater manages to work it's way into the motor assembly in time, & destroys the Motor, Good luck! with yours.

[garyk]

& somehow Saltwater manages to work it's way into the motor assembly in time, & destroys the Motor, Good luck! with yours.

That's my quess since it stopped working after a session of busting a lot of salt chop.

The interesting thing is the original drivers side wiper, factory installed by Hewescraft, has eight seasons on this fall -- no problems. Great motor, too bad the wiper arm sucks.

Now the aftermarket on the passenger side has a great wiper arm, but must have had crappy seals around the motor.

Thanks, I will try disassemblying it.....

[garyk]

Well that sure looked straightforward.......until I actually tried:passout:

OK, here's where I'm at:

I'm just trying to remove the wiper arm from the motor shaft, so I can remove the motor and try to troubleshoot it. I think this is an AFI wiper assembly from what the motor cover says.

The locknut on the exterior of the motor shaft, that tightens against the outside of the windshield frame loosened easily.

I found the two very small allen-head set screws, and they came out smoothly. I expected the arm to then lift right off --NOPE.

No corrosion problems.

But I can't figure out what is still holding the wiper arm to the motor shaft?

It kind of looks like the motor shaft is hollow and the wiper arm is pressed into it?

This can't be too tough......HELP

[gordy]

Spray the heck out of the shaft where it goes through the wiper arm...No way there has been no build up or any type between the motor shaft and the arm fitting.
Also check to see if there is a release tab on the back side of the arm....Ford had a similar defice on there older f100's and yours may be the same.
I think you will need to give the arm a bit of "convincing" that it is time to come off since it likley has bonded to the motor shaft...
The old saying about different types of metals in a wet enviornment may just be comming into play here.

[retaliate]

Spray the heck out of the shaft where it goes through the wiper arm...No way there has been no build up or any type between the motor shaft and the arm fitting.
Also check to see if there is a release tab on the back side of the arm....Ford had a similar defice on there older f100's and yours may be the same.
I think you will need to give the arm a bit of "convincing" that it is time to come off since it likley has bonded to the motor shaft...
The old saying about different types of metals in a wet enviornment may just be comming into play here.

Yep! Salt Water makes everything tougher, I used a large Screwdriver, with a piece of 2x4 as a base to pry around the edges, took some "convincing" but eventually it came off.

[woodsy188]

That's my quess since it stopped working after a session of busting a lot of salt chop.

The interesting thing is the original drivers side wiper, factory installed by Hewescraft, has eight seasons on this fall -- no problems. Great motor, too bad the wiper arm sucks.

Now the aftermarket on the passenger side has a great wiper arm, but must have had crappy seals around the motor.

Thanks, I will try disassemblying it.....

Is it possible to morf the two together? Get a good motor from Hewescraft and a good arm from the aftermarket?

[baitsauce]

Does it have a spring-loaded doo-dad holding the wiper arm on the splines like the ones on cars and trucks??

If so you can pull it back and work the arm(s) off of the splines. Or it could take piece of stiff wire through a little hole on the arms to open the above mentioned doo-dad.

:twocents:

Good luck!

//

[fishkisser]

Is it possible to morf the two together? Get a good motor from Hewescraft and a good arm from the aftermarket?

Yes it is ... I got rid of the flimsy plastic arm on mine with a replacement from Napa ...

[troybuz]

I think the best wiper motors around come out of Jefferson, Oregon.
These seem to be far better than most.
http://www.amequipment.com/
Just an FYI

[Highmark]

Those are the units that are on My NorthRiver OS. Vary good Wiper motors and wiper arms. You may just need to stop by the Local NR store and see what they have. On second thought you may get a better deal from the manufacture. HA

HM

I think the best wiper motors around come out of Jefferson, Oregon.
These seem to be far better than most.
http://www.amequipment.com/
Just an FYI

[garyk]

Yep! Salt Water makes everything tougher, I used a large Screwdriver, with a piece of 2x4 as a base to pry around the edges, took some "convincing" but eventually it came off.

Yep. A couple of you were right. Your advice and finally finding some AFI schematics online, gave me the courage to apply maximum force.

Yes, the wiper arm assembly is just pressed onto a knurled nut.

And yes, others are correct that the cheapo plastic round gear was stripped. It really tells you something when the AFI website's support section mostly consists of - "replacement gears are not available" :passout:

A motor that sells for ~$175 and they can't upgrade to a $1 metal gear!!!

[Hayseed]

Go to Autozone and get one with a Lifetime warrenty. Remember to rinse it off with a hose after going in the salt. They are sealed and hosing won't hurt'em. Just a real pain to get the hose under the dash without hosing all the other wiring.