Wiper Problem Diagnosed

[Carro-Kann]

I did some diagnosis and found out the reason why the wipers didn’t work. I checked fuse block, fuse was good and power was there. Removed steering wheel and checked power to wiper switch and they had power. Removed front cover where wiper motor is, there was power going to motor. Bad motor. Removed motor and disassembled. Stator was good, but there was a lot of rust inside motor. 1/3 full of water at one or more time caused brushes not to make contact with stator. I cleaned and lubricated shafts and moving parts. Wiper motor works now. I found the drain located under the wiper-motor was completely plugged. I used a coat hanger to remove most of the debris. Then I used a high-pressure nozzle to blow out the remaining debris. I then found what started the blockage. You know the plastic vents over the wiper motor; there are plastic retainers to hold the plastic vents in place and are screwed in. One of those little retainers broke off and fell into the drain tube. Leaves fell in and plugged up the drain. When car was washed it would flood the motor. Yes Mr. Watson, that’s what caused the wiper motor to fail. Elementary Mr. Watson elementary.

[garwood1]

Nice bit of sleuthing...the 'sump' that the wiper motor sits in is reknowned for becoming a swimming pool when the drain clogs, as you found - poor motor drowns, and next time you go to use it, nothing happens.
Interesting finding regarding what caused the blockage, that's one to look for in future. Thanks

[Tifosi]

Yet another reason to mount a bit of screen inside the cowl air intake louver.

(that's gotta take a lot of crap stuffed down in there to finally block a cowl drain don't it?)

[Carro-Kann]

The drain tube bends at a sharp angle and the deposits turned into compost. There was alot of it. I was worried that there might be major rust in the tube. I kept looking to see if any water was going into the cab.