wiper problem

funkpacket · Jul 13th, 2004, 11:40 PM

The first speed on my wiper motor just decided it no longer wanted to work. Could it be a resistor problem like can happen with the ac switch or is the motor shot. Btw my car is a 95 1.6 se. Thanks in advance for the help

UserA · Jul 14th, 2004, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkpacket

The first speed on my wiper motor just decided it no longer wanted to work. Could it be a resistor problem like can happen with the ac switch or is the motor shot. Btw my car is a 95 1.6 se. Thanks in advance for the help

I'm guessing here but it could be because of the infamous recall of the 95 sentras. Have you tried going to nissan website and check the recall status of your particular car. They might fix it for free!

http://www.nissanusa.com/form/0,,act...-51054,00.html

in case you were lazy.

Neil · Jul 14th, 2004, 02:48 PM

The recall says wiper seal so i dont think thats it.

My car had the same problem. The first speed is the "intermittant" mode that pauses correct? Mine went on me but the other speeds worked fine.

Not to bore you but the Nissan shop I took mine too didn't know the problem and they first said it was the motor which it WASN'T. I got raped nearly $400 for that. They also vandalized my car by saying i didn't have an intermittant mode and defacing my wiper stalk.

The problem was eventually solved by some sort of switch that controls the intermittant mode on our cars. I dont have the invoice handy to know what the exact part name is but it wasn't very expensive. The stuff I didn't need was.

So if you go to a Nissan or other dealer, make sure you don't get screwed by them adding parts you don't need. They should know that there is a type of intermittant switch that controls this and if they don't they need to either call Nissan or get out the parts manual.

funkpacket · Jul 14th, 2004, 05:36 PM

thx for the input. Nice to know i won't have to drop money on a wiper motor.

MCHNHED · Aug 4th, 2004, 10:30 AM

yeeaaaa i have had this same problem for over a year now. initially i read up on the recall and thought that it had to do with the recall... so i brought the car to the nissan dealer and they told me that the recall had already been serviced by the previous owner

so.. one of the control arms decided to disconnect itself, so i replaced both them cause the bushing was all worn out. DIDNT fix the problem. then after doing some more searching i figured it might be the motor, so i replaced that. DIDNT fix it either.

i'm glad that now someone has found that it's just some sort of switch.

but no one knows which one it is? or maybe where it's located?

MCHNHED · Aug 18th, 2004, 07:51 PM

yea... no one except me! after more diagnosis i finally figured out what was wrong. i replaced a part called the WIPER MOTOR AMP, which is just like a control relay (located to the far right of the glove box) and it finally fixed the problem with my wipers!!

NissanGirl2ooSX · Aug 19th, 2004, 01:20 AM

Ugh, yea the intermminent or however you spell that word mode on the wipers..I have that problem to, it just doesnt work. I know its a recall, but hey glad its only a small simple thing that can be fixed.

G_Funk013 · Aug 19th, 2004, 02:16 PM

I've been having problems with my wipers lately too. My problem is that it either works or doesnt. Sometimes when I turn them on they will move and other times they wont do anything. Im not sure if it is the amp because I always hear a clicking noise coming from around the glove box everytime I switch the wipers on.

Could it be the wiper amp? How easy is it to replace it and where can I get them at? And how much do they go for?

MCHNHED · Aug 19th, 2004, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NissanGirl2ooSX

Ugh, yea the intermminent or however you spell that word mode on the wipers..I have that problem to, it just doesnt work. I know its a recall, but hey glad its only a small simple thing that can be fixed.

no, this most recent problem was not pertaining to the recall. allow me to explain...

unfortunately, nissan really fucked up with this wiper setup. even though my recall was already serviced i have still had major problems with the wipers. AFTER the recall was serviced i still had to replace the wiper linkage arms after about 4 years. I called Nissan Headquarters and some lady from the corporate sales office told me that even though the recall fixed a slight problem with the arms they might still have to be replaced about every 4-7 years due to "normal wear". bullshit. Personally i still think there is a manufacture defect with this system that is still not fixed, because IMHO these linkage arms should not be a routine 4-year maintenance item.

well after arguing with her on the phone for 20 minutes i have just given up. i went to a dealer, purchased the linkage arms, and installed them, which solved the problem that the arms had disconnected, but it still did not fix my intermittant and parking functions, so i replace the wiper motor amp (which controls these functions).

Quote:

Originally Posted by G_Funk013

I've been having problems with my wipers lately too. My problem is that it either works or doesnt. Sometimes when I turn them on they will move and other times they wont do anything. Im not sure if it is the amp because I always hear a clicking noise coming from around the glove box everytime I switch the wipers on.

Could it be the wiper amp? How easy is it to replace it and where can I get them at? And how much do they go for?

Your problem could be a number of things. Without ripping the thing apart and looking at it I couldn't give you a definite answer, but i can give you a few educated guesses...

1. one of the linkage arms might become disconnected
2. the center spindles might be wearing down or the nut has become loose
3. there is a short circuit somewhere (which might be more difficult to fix)
4. your wiper motor amp is shot (like mine was).

the wiper motor amp is real easy to replace. as far as i know you can only get it new at the dealer (for $40) or a junk yard, since it is vehicle specific. you just rip the glove box apart (6 obvious screws) and look behind the dashboard to the right of the glove box. if you can't find the small box right away just activate the wiper circuit with the lever and listen for the clicking noise. to remove the unit it's just a matter of one nut. you'll see this when you go to replace it.

G_Funk013 · Aug 19th, 2004, 05:21 PM

After looking around and doing some tests, I have a couple of questions;

Would there still be a clicking noise if the amp wasnt good?
How can I test the wiper motor?
When your amp was bad, were you able to spray the washer fluid?
Why did Nissan have to put the wiper amp in such a tight position?

I have been doing the tests that are in the Sentra FSM, and have come to a conclusion that the switch and the harness are ok.

MCHNHED · Aug 25th, 2004, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G_Funk013

After looking around and doing some tests, I have a couple of questions;

Would there still be a clicking noise if the amp wasnt good?
How can I test the wiper motor?
When your amp was bad, were you able to spray the washer fluid?
Why did Nissan have to put the wiper amp in such a tight position?

I have been doing the tests that are in the Sentra FSM, and have come to a conclusion that the switch and the harness are ok.

1. There is a clicking noise whether the amp is good or bad. That's just the natural noise that the unit makes.

2. You can test the wiper motor by activating the circuit when it is not connected to the linkage arms. Since you have an FSM you can look this up but here's a quick run-down: Remove both wiper arms; open the hood and remove the plastic cover which covers the linkage arm on the left side; look down in the compartment (behind the fire wall) where the motor connects to the linkage arm and disconnect it with a flathead screwdriver. Now activate the intermittent circuit. It should turn on and swing around for a full circle and then stop. IF it stops about 3/4 of the way around then it is most likely your wiper motor amp. That was the case with me.

3. Yes, i was still able to spray the washer fluid when my amp was bad. They are two totally different circuits, so the one should not affect the other unless there is a major shortage. If you can hear your washer fluid pump going (and all the lines are connected to the nozzles on the windshield) but you are still not getting any fluid pumping out, then it might be a bad motor inside the resevoir, which i am assuming you would have to get from the dealer or a salvage yard.

4. well i'm assuming that nissan wanted to put the amp in a tight position to save compartmental space. i mean.. it is a compact car, no?

hope that helps

G_Funk013 · Aug 26th, 2004, 10:55 PM

Thanks for the info. It turns out that the wiper motor was the problem. I got it replaced and it works like a champ now.