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98 Legacy Wag... rear wiper.


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If it's like on my 96 (and I presume it is) fluid comes from the same reservoir as the front sprinklers. The pump for the rear wiper is higher on the reservoir's side and pumps dry sooner than the front one.

As for the reason the wiper is not functionning, since it did'nt stop suddenly but progressively, I would suspect rust where the wiper motor axle goes thru the rear window. Never had to work on it yet but others here have and might chime in if you wait a bit.

Good luck!

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Your rear washer motor most likely has corroded contacts where the wiring harness connects to the motor. Cleaning them up with a electrical contact spray usually does the job. Barring that, you may have a seized washer motor, and it'll need replacing. I have been adventurous in the past, and was able to disassemble one, clean and lubed it up, and got it running again. As for the wiper motor, it has an alloy body with a final drive shaft made of steel. If not used frequently, they will corrode together and seize up, due to water and dissimilar metals. Either replace the unit altogether, or remove the unit, drill out the motor body rivets that hold it together, clean and lube the entire unit, and put it back together with nuts and bolts. By soaking the shaft with penetrating oil, you should be able to free it up and get it going again. Removing the tailgate trim to get the motor out is straight forward, as is removing the wiper motor from the tailgate. Its not rocket science, has quite a feel good quotient to it when you get the job done, and is a great confidence builder. Good Luck!

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  • 2 weeks later...

My 98 O/B did the same thing. You might want to start by squirting something like "liquid wrench" or "loosenut" onto the shaft where it comes out of the window,(remove the little plastic cover first). Turn the wiper on and help it go back and forth by gently pulling/pushing it. You may have to do this several times.

I eventually had to take the motor out. Here's a hint...buy a cheap 10mm box wrench and heat it with a torch then bent it into an almost horse shoe shape...it'll make your life a lot easier when it comes time to get some of the motor mount bolts out.

Once the motor is out you can take it apart and clean it. 90% of the time the motor stops working because the output shaft is corroded. Put the sandpaper to it, grease the heck out of it and re-assemble.

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