How Much Does a Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement Cost?
The windshield wiper motor is the part of the car that makes the windshield wipers work properly. If it were to fail, the wipers won’t work, which as you could imagine, would cause quite a few problems when it’s raining or snowing out.
The cost of fixing a wiper motor will depend on the make and model of car and the mechanic fixing the problem.
How much does windshield motor replacement cost?
On average, the entire job, including parts, should cost around $125 to $425 if you were to use a mechanic. If you were to do it on your own and bypass the mechanic, most parts will cost $50 to $300; however, expect a much higher price if your car were a vintage model. With the average job taking 0.8 hours, labor should be in the $75 to $115 ballpark, depending on the shop’s hourly rate.
The Auto Parts Warehouse, for example, says you should be prepared to budget $60 to $400+
| Car Make and Model | Parts | Labor | Average Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | $90 | $80 | $170 |
| Ford F-150 | $130 | $95 | $225 |
| Chevy Cruze | $100 | $80 | $180 |
| Ford Taurus | $275 | $125 | $400 |
| Toyota Camry | $300 | $100 | $400 |
| Dodge Caravan | $150 | $100 | $250 |
Windshield motor replacement overview
Before the windshield motor is even considered the culprit, the mechanic will first inspect the fuse to make sure it hasn’t blown. Next, if the fuse is okay, the power to the windshield wiper switch will be checked, followed by the power coming from the switch. If power is going to switch, but the switch won’t send power back to the motor, then the wiring or switch will need to be replaced. However, if the switch is sending power, but the motor isn’t running, power at the motor will need to be checked. If power reaches the motor, but the motor won’t run, then the motor will be the culprit.
During the process, the mechanic will take apart the motor and all the wires connected to the motor will be detached. Depending on your car, the entire assembly, including the bracket, shaft and windshield spacer, may need to be replaced as well. Carefully taking apart the motor, it will be removed from the car. Note that each car will store its motor in different areas. Some cars have it located near the engine while others are housed near the compartment. After the windshield motor has been taken out, a new one will replace the old one. The wires will be connected and it should be ready to go. The average job takes less than two hours to complete.
What are the extra costs?
Most mechanics may want to replace the wiper blades once the motor has been replaced. Wiper blades should cost less than $20.
Tips to know:
Before you even consider replacing the motor, make sure the fuse has not blown. It would be silly to replace a whole motor for $300 when all it actually needed was a $2 fuse.
Always be sure to get the exact motor for your make and model; if not, the part won’t fit. Pay very close attention to the voltage. Motors, today, will come either as a 6, 12 or 24-volt. Search this Amazon car parts search engine to see which parts would work.
Common symptoms of a bad windshield motor may include slow-moving wipers, wipers that do not turn off, wipers operating at one speed and/or wipers unable to stop in its natural position.
How can I save money?
The job can be done fairly easily if you know a little bit about fixing cars. There are many step-by-step guides on the web that can walk you through the process. Generally, if you complete the job on your own, you will be able to save at least $100 to $200.
A remanufactured windshield motor can do just as good of a job, but for a fraction of the cost. If buying a remanufactured part, make sure it comes with a limited warranty.
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