What is a car windshield wiper motor? How to replace a windshield wiper motor

Windshield wipers have been used as an addition to a car almost since the release of the first production vehicle models. The need to protect the windshield is due to safety measures when driving - “wipers” clean its surface, creating conditions for optimal visibility. Performing this operation requires a special technical device from the working elements, which supports the windshield wiper motor and the drive system as a whole. Despite its relatively modest dimensions, this is a rather complex system, which leads to malfunctions during operation and the need to replace some elements of the mechanism.

Design and elements of the windshield wiper

The windshield washer consists of a fixing unit, a brush and a pressure block. The fastening mechanism is removable and contains a pin and leash clamps. The functions of the connector are performed by the adapter. By the way, the stability of the purifier’s operation depends on how well it provides the connection. The pressing block directly carries out the movement of the working elements - it is a system of several plastic or metal arcs. A brush is attached to the edges of the arcs, which is in direct contact with the surface of the glass and cleans it of dirt and rainwater. The operation of the described design is ensured by the windshield wiper motor, which is controlled from the interior using a special handle.

Video review of replacing the motor and trapezoid wipers on Priora 2170, 2171, 2172

To more clearly show the entire process of this repair, a video review of the repair will be shown below.

If you have any questions, ask below in the comments or on the channel under the video!

The device has found its application not only in passenger cars, but also in all other types of vehicles. Even large submarines, helicopters and airplanes are equipped with windshield wipers, which perform an irreplaceable role and at the same time have a very simple operating principle. When the wipers operate, excess water, dirt and other foreign objects on the windshield begin to be removed.

Car models have several operating modes: with a given period of time; constant; single. The auxiliary mechanism supplies water to remove large amounts of dust or dirt from the windshield.

Motor device

The electric motor in wipers is also called a gearmotor, and in modern versions it is usually a three-brush motor. The motor can have several speeds, while its working forces are generated by permanent magnets. The composition of this unit can be represented as follows:

housing (for the gearbox and the electric motor itself);
anchor, as well as the rear and front bushings of its shaft;
output shaft;
driven gear;
traverse having clamps for brushes;
felt ring;
collector;
permanent magnet;
idler gear mechanism.

In some versions, the windshield wiper motor also includes protection systems - thermobimetallic fuses and overload protection mechanisms are used, and chokes with capacitors reduce radio interference.

Purpose

The windshield wiper gear motor is designed to drive the lever system of the glass cleaning mechanism. It is installed under the windshield in a niche and is connected by a shaft to the windshield wiper arms. It has three operating modes and is controlled by the right steering column switch. In the first position of the switch, the intermittent operation of the wipers is activated. In this case, control is carried out through an electronic relay installed in the mounting block. The same relay also controls low speed in constant mode.

Rear and front washers

While driving, the car owner must have visibility from different angles and sides. Therefore, in addition to the traditional front wiper, there are also rear versions. In the first case, a double design is provided, that is, in order to increase cleaning efficiency, the brush has two rubber bands. The rear wiper motor takes on less load since it drives a single design. However, this does not mean that the rear models have a lower risk of failure - the frequency of failures is similar to the front ones.

In addition, there are “wipers” for side mirrors, but due to the complexity of implementing such systems, such solutions are gradually becoming a thing of the past, leaving the visibility functions to the classic versions of washers.

Rubber seals

Gaskets and seals are made of rubber. Over time, they lose their positive properties. Due to temperature changes, they become tanned and crack; this also happens due to an aggressive environment. For this simple reason, seals need to be changed periodically.

If you do not do this, it is quite possible that the device will fail. The next time you service the glass cleaning system, it is advisable to change the seals and rubber gaskets.

Don't forget that the wiper blades themselves are also rubber and should also be checked regularly. Often replacement is performed once a year. If the brushes are made of silicone and of high quality, then they can last a couple of years, but hardly more. This is due, again, to temperature changes.

Possible breakdowns

Various factors can cause a windshield wiper motor to fail, leading to disruption in the connections between the brushes and the commutator, a wedge in the gearbox, unstable operation of the motor, etc. At the same time, the windshield wiper motor does not always require replacement, leaving the possibility of maintaining the working condition by correcting the position system components - this applies, for example, to a bimetallic fuse. Malfunctions in speed modes usually result from failures in resistors or switches.

Problems with brushes can also be eliminated by simple manipulations with the stopping mechanism - in most cases, their adjustment allows you to restore the functionality of the cleaning elements. Aesthetic problems, including squeaking, grinding and other unpleasant sounds, are almost always solved by cleaning the brushes themselves. In addition, dry glass also leads to unfortunate noise.

Wipers do not return to rest position

There may be several reasons for this malfunction. Most likely, the problem is that you have already disassembled the trapezoid or motor, and then set the wipers incorrectly. In addition, the reason that the windshield wipers do not return to place may be a faulty limit switch of the gear motor (in this case, the motor will probably have to be replaced) or damaged brush drive splines.

Hi all. Such a misfortune happened. At one point, the wipers simply stopped working. The first thought is the fuse. I'll go under the hood and the corresponding fuse will burn out. I put another one on and it immediately burns out. Another one - the same. I disconnect the contact from the motor, install a fuse, just connect the contact - it burns out. OK. Due to very strict necessity and knowing some of the peculiarities of the Russian “maybe”, I take a screwdriver and with the side of the handle I lightly tap the motor from all possible sides. I set the fuse, connect the motor - silence. I turn on the wipers and they work! That's the end of the fairy tale. And whoever fixed it is a great guy. The horseradish was there... We are not in a fairy tale.

The next day the same bullshit. And as luck would have it, we had such a rainy week. I open the hood and carry out “repairs” according to a well-established scheme. Horseradish. Okay... I'm going to work as is. And I have to tell you, in the rain and without wipers - a specific pleasure...

In the evening I decide to replace the motor because I can’t live like this any longer. But, having learned the price of 3000 rubles

, a week of waiting and looking into the family budget, I understand that
this little engine is not so bad
+))) Why bury it ahead of time?+)))

I am attempting DIY repair #1.

Although a repairman makes me like a rheumatologist from a gopnik. So that you understand, I looked at the windshield wiper motor for the first time in my life. No, I'm not blonde. I just don’t like tinkering with cars and do it extremely rarely and only in the most critical situations.

How to remove the motor?

The main problems with the operation of the windshield wiper still affect the elements of the motor, requiring its repair or replacement. In general, when starting any restoration operations, you should know how to remove the windshield wiper motor without damaging its structure and associated components.

First, you need to unscrew the fasteners that secure the levers - this will allow you to remove the brushes from the drive splines. First of all, the nuts are unscrewed, and then the plastic bushings and gaskets are removed. Next, you need to remove the block with wires. To do this, you need to lift the seals along the edges and dismantle them through the slot in the engine niche. At this stage, the entire structure of the windshield wiper should be removed, the washer, spring and traction elements should be removed. This is an example of how you can remove the front windshield wiper motor without interfering with the drive systems of the vehicle itself. Once the device is removed, you can begin to inspect it and identify defects. Having assessed the condition of the washer, you need to make a decision - to replace it or repair it.

Windshield wiper system

Standard windshield wipers are designed to remove dirt, dust, and excess sediment from its surface. This allows you to increase visibility of the road at any time, including bad weather conditions: heavy rain or snow. For greater efficiency, the device is combined with a windshield washer, which sprays a special washer fluid under high pressure onto the glass surface. Thus, the glass is cleaned from adhering dirt and insects.

Automotive windshield wipers

Some cars have a rear windshield wiper, as well as special devices for cleaning the headlights (washers). This allows you to ensure traffic safety in all weather conditions. The frequency and duration of operation of the windshield wipers is regulated by the driver from the passenger compartment.

Features of removing the motor on a VAZ

If the work is carried out on one of the VAZ models, then you will have to take into account some of the nuances of dismantling. In general, the operation is similar to similar actions on other cars, but there are still some differences.

So, first the power plug is disconnected. This element is disconnected as a result of carefully moving it away from the place of fixation. Next, you should lift the seal, grabbing its edges. This is how the hood rubber rises. The wires with the plug are removed through the slots, after which the motor mounting bolts are unscrewed. In order to finally prepare the VAZ windshield wiper motor for dismantling, it is also necessary to lift the protective cover. Then you need to lightly press on the slotted pins - this should be done until they fall inward. This completes the procedure. The motor is ready to be removed.

Malfunctions of the steering column switch

This unit often fails on cars with high mileage. It is usually maintained throughout the entire life of the vehicle. Over time, the contacts burn out, which becomes the main reason for the malfunction of the steering column switch.

You can either repair it yourself or simply replace it with a new one. The second option is naturally expensive. Depending on the make of the car, the switch can cost from 2 to 20 thousand rubles. In this case, it is quite logical to do repairs, especially since there is nothing complicated about it.

We dismantle the switch and carry out a visual inspection for defects. If there are burnt contacts, then take a soldering iron and correct the situation. Almost always, the steering column switch can be repaired, the only exceptions being cases of board failure, although there are craftsmen here too.

How to remove the rear windshield wiper motor?

The design and principles of fastening the rear window are somewhat different from the front, as are the means of providing drive systems. Therefore, the approach to removing the washer with its electric motor has a number of features. Work begins by installing the “janitor” in a vertical position, which will make it possible to unscrew the mounting screws. Then, to remove the rear wiper motor, you need to disconnect all external components of the system and the structure itself. In particular, the lever and the protective cap on the shaft are removed, and the bracket bolt is unscrewed.

A special feature of this procedure is the need to remove the luggage compartment upholstery. To do this, you need to take out the pistons one by one, blocking the approach to the block with the wiring. It is important to take into account that you will have to remove two blocks - one is for harnesses, and the other is for cables. When these elements are removed, you can begin to unscrew the screws securing the motor. Next, it remains to remove the drive component by turning it around.

Function and principle of operation of wipers

The key task of the windshield wiper mechanism is to clean the windshield from water during rain, as well as dirt that falls on its surface during movement. These wipers operate using special mechanisms.

Disassembling the motor

After the external fasteners that secure the electric motor are unscrewed, disassembly can begin. In this case, it is important not to touch the adjusting bolt, since the axial clearance in the anchor shaft may be disrupted. However, if you plan to replace the windshield wiper motor, then this factor does not matter.

First, you need to remove the panel on the gearbox, and then its gear and mounting bolt with cage nuts. The housing is dismantled along with the brush holder and the armature is immediately removed. It is recommended to blow out the housing with compressed air on site using a compressor. There are locking rings on the mechanism rollers - they should be removed completely along with the adjusting washers. The rods and sealing rings are removed from the bracket. The latter should be removed from both sides of the bracket - from the grooves.

The motor hums, but the wipers still don't work.

In this case, one thing can be said for sure: the gear motor is working, but does not have contact with the windshield wiper trapezoids. Most often, the cause of such a malfunction is wear on the teeth of the motor drive shaft or a loose nut securing the trapezoid to the gear motor. And if the second reason is easy to determine only by looking at the trapezoid, then the first can be diagnosed only by disassembling the motor. By the way, it can be difficult to buy the drive part of a gear motor, so most often car owners prefer to change the entire wiper motor assembly.

Motor repair

Technical restoration of an electric motor may concern its various parts, as well as the condition of contacts and boards. In some cases, only cleaning of the elements is also allowed, while other problems require their complete replacement. As a rule, repair of the windshield wiper motor is carried out after carefully checking the condition of the following parts:

springs on the motor brushes - unsatisfactory quality of movement leads to the need for replacement;
collector - usually cleaned with abrasives (if the element is burnt, then the armature must be replaced);
the gear in the gearbox requires replacement if broken or worn teeth are detected;
The purifier rods are replaced if they are bent;
all rubber elements in the presence of the slightest cracks, breaks and scratches must also be replaced;
the contacts may be burnt or oxidized (in such cases, they are cleaned with a fine-grained abrasive).

Of course, there are often cases when repairing a windshield wiper motor with replacing all of the listed elements does not give the expected result. This usually happens due to incompatibility of the device with the characteristics of the car itself or due to serious damage to the board, for example, if contacts with wires are burnt. Also, the inevitability of a complete replacement of the device arises if the entire filling of the motor requires comprehensive repairs. Although restoration is theoretically possible, the result is unlikely to ensure long-term operation of the wipers.

Wipers do not work: ways to fix the problem

In the event of a failure of this unit, it is recommended that you first pay attention to the mounting block and the integrity of the fuse and relay. If everything is in order there, then we move on to the next stage. When fluid is not supplied to the windshield, you should immediately check the lines. It is likely that one of the tubes has come off the tee and the washer fluid is simply pouring out under the hood.

Correcting this situation is quite simple. It is necessary to remove the trim under the hood and connect the hose to the tee. In some cases, the procedure can be performed without dismantling the protection, simply bending its edge.

After checking the lines, we move on to the injectors. Over a long period of use, they can become clogged. To clean them, you can use the most ordinary needle. If after this the wipers do not work, then we move on to the motor.

Assembly and installation of the motor

If you decide to purchase a new windshield wiper motor and install it on the old design, then during installation you can proceed in the reverse order. In this case, it is advisable to mark the adjusting elements even at the disassembly stage. This will allow you to determine on the spot how to replace the windshield wiper motor by installing a working analogue in the same place and with the same settings. This rule also applies if the previous electric motor was repaired - it is assembled and installed in the reverse order, but it should be taken into account that when installing the armature in a special shaft connector, a thrust ball must be built into the housing.

During the assembly process of the gearbox, it is advisable to lubricate its gear and shaft worm. Consistent solutions can be used as lubricants. The same applies to the procedure for installing the rod in the bracket - in this case the rollers are lubricated. The crank mechanism is installed parallel to the shortened rod and directed towards the electric motor.

How to choose wipers

Windshield wipers come in regular and frameless types. The first ones consist of a metal frame, are noisy and quickly become loose. Since the wipers on the Priora are not interchangeable, it is necessary to select them taking into account the length. For winter, there are special brushes that help combat icing. The VAZ Priora is equipped with frame windshield wipers at the factory. This type allows you to only replace the brushes if necessary, although frameless ones have better cleaning quality.

There are also hybrid wipers - the most expensive option. They borrowed rocker arms and supports from frame wipers, and a plastic body from the frameless type. This option is the most advanced and is distinguished by its durability. Replacing the tape in frameless and hybrid wipers requires certain skills, while anyone can change the rubber bands in conventional windshield wipers.

Checking the functionality of the mechanisms

At the repair stage or during a preventative check of windshield wipers, problems in the device can be identified in several ways. The quality of the mechanism is primarily determined by the function of the brush and its position in the brush holder. The cleaning elements must move freely and easily at the specified speed. The electric motor itself is checked by a tester. In particular, such diagnostics makes it possible to detect irregularities in contacts and connections. When disassembled, the device allows you to evaluate the condition of the gearbox gear - in particular, the mentioned teeth and threads on the rollers are checked. The remaining components can be checked with the naked eye, even with a superficial inspection.

Car wipers. We select for the car

If you decide to replace the brushes, then the wipers should be selected for the car. This can be done by comparing with old wipers, previously removed from the car, which have already been working for some time.

The choice must be made in accordance with the following rules:

Type of fastening. Some single-brand automotive brushes may use different mounting methods on the arm. Therefore, it is advisable to compare the type of attachment with the previous brush. If you choose wipers with unsuitable mounting, you can buy a special adapter.
Length. It is important to consider that the maximum deviation in the length of car wipers should not be 1.5-2.0 centimeters.
Wiper blade type. Here you choose at your own discretion. You can order a cheap frame model or spend more and buy hybrid or frameless wipers.
Manufacturing company. When buying cheap Chinese windshield wiper blades, you can't count on their long service life. There are many companies that specialize in producing high quality windshield wiper blades. In particular, Bosch, SWF, Denso and Valeo.

Washer problems

Diagram of the washer system Breakdowns and methods for eliminating them are different. Let's get to know them in more detail.

The steering column switch does not work. Make sure of this by closing two contacts under the steering wheel - front contact 53ah-w, rear - 53ah-wh, and then measure the resistance. If it is low, the switch is replaced with a new one.
There is no water flowing through the washer pump. It should also be replaced.
Dirt has formed in the injectors. Use a sharp needle to clean them.
The wire that connects the pump and the switch has broken. You understand that the only option is replacement.
Relay K3 is faulty. Again, you have no choice but to change the relay.
The hose ruptured and its integrity was compromised. What do you think should be done in such a situation? Absolutely right - change the hose.

There are three types of wind wipers:

Holder device without frame
Holder device with frame
A holder for a hybrid brush, the structure of which is similar to the others.

Pressure plates help connect the base to the body. In the diagram, they are made in the form of strips made of a springy alloy, with cuts along the edges that ensure fixation of the holder to the base. The base holders are inserted into special side grooves.

Then the elastic band with inserted springs is secured to the holder itself. In the case of frame fasteners, a design is used that consists of bent rocker arms - the body. Such a scheme has a main rocker arm, where there is a fastener for fixing it to the lever. At the edges of the movable rocker arms there are clamps that help hold the base with springs.

The tape of frameless fasteners is installed and secured in the clamps of an even elastic spring in the shape of an arc. This spring presses the rubber band to the surface of the glass, and an adapter is used to install it on the lever in the elastic spring. As for hybrid wipers, they have a frame hidden in a plastic housing.