Rear wiper arm 2000 Silhouettte

The rear wiper blade will move from the start position to the driver side and stop there. Then there is a sort of "grinding/ticking" noise (like a gear is skipping or something ) and the blade will not retract. Even turning off the wiper switch will not stop this noise. I need to turn the ignition off to make the noise stop. I can manually pull back the blade half way and then turn on the power and the blade will retract to the rest position without making any noise. If I turn the wiper switch back on the same thing will happen. I have not had it apart yet, but would like to know if maybe something has "jumped the track" or does this sound like the wiper motor itself? Is this area easily accessible?

Thanks,
Mark

Good Morning!! It sounds like you may have to replace wiper motor assembley.Or you might be lucky,And it may be a bad connection where wire harness plugs into motor assembley.I had mine apart(97 olds) ,And it is not a tough job.I think a new motor would be around $100.00,Or you can get a bone yard one for around $35.00-$40.00.The problem I had with mine,The wire harness came unplugged from motor.Good luck! Diesel1962..

Thanks Diesel1962. I'll have to open it up this weekend.

Mark

I opened up the rear wiper assembly and it looks as though the large gear which drives the wiper has some worn out teeth in the position that is furthest from the park position. Anyone know if this gear can be replaced or do you need to buy the whole assembly. Seems to me this is a pretty weak link in the assembly. Vehicle only has 55,000 km on it so far. Between this part, a new drivers side window switch and rear gate interior grab handle this thing is getting expensive. Whats next, tranny and manifold gaskets? (I hope not!!) Anyone know of a good place to get parts in Ontario, Canada other than a dealer?

Thanks,

Mark

Hello,This is diesel1962.I would check auto salvage yards for a wiper motor..Chevy venture,Pontiac montana,Wiper motors WILL work with your Olds,As they are the same.Do you take that van thru an automatic car wash?sometimes they can mess up a wiper motor.Also ice will make it stick to the window,Then when you turn it on,It could stripp the plastic gears.Good luck..Diesel1962

What you may also try first is removing the arm and spray Water into the WD-40 down the shaft. Seems that a lot of dirt gets built up inside. Mine stopped working too until I cleaned it out and now everything is fine and I didn't have to replace the assembly.

Note: A power washer sprayed down it works great.

Had same problem. Yep you have to replace with a new/re-mfrd wiper motor. The one you have is dead