The rear windshield wiper on my wife's 07/V70 wagon (180K miles) is stuck midway, and won't move when turned ON or OFF. It did this once before (about a week ago), but returned to normal position after restarting the car. Could this be a bad fuse? Or is it more likely to be the wiper motor? Anything else?

UPDATE ON REAR WIPER: I have determined that the rear wiper motor current must be exceeding the threshold of the motor current protector when the wiper blade is pressed against the windshield. When the blade is NOT pressing against the windshield, it works fine. Which means, the motor is probably on its way out. I found replacements at AutoZone and Advanced Auto for ~$100, which beat's the $300 OEM replacement part cost. Question is: how do I de-install the old wiper motor?

Update II: I have removed the old rear wiper motor, and took it to Advanced Auto to swap it out for a re-manufactured one. They said that Cardone (their supplier) no longer offers them. 'Any other alternatives, other than spending $300 for an OEM replacement?

Also, Rock Auto shows the Cardone moter for about $110.

Charley

I don't know how this motor is constructed, but can you disassemble it? It may be that it only needs lube. I've had Benz window lift motors that would seize up and then respond to lube. Some motors have an oil hole to lube them without disassembly.

Charley

Thanks Charley. I disassembled the gear case, and greased the gears. Also, put a dab of oil into what appears to be lube hole in the back of the motor housing (covered by small plastic 'wedge' held in place with a spiral spring). Will re-install today, and see what happens ...

Bernie

UPDATE: Lubing the gear case and motor shaft appears to have done the trick. Wiper seems to work fine now, and motor protector does not trip anymore. It does appear that the wiper arm is bent or somehow exerting a heavy load on the wiper motor when wiping. Will see if I can straighten it out or replace it.

Thanks,

Bernie

UPDATE 5-21: What are the odds - this morning the rear wiper on my NA '96 850 (~350K miles) wagon seized up, less than a week after fixing my wife's NA '07 V70 (180K miles) stuck rear wiper. 'Hopefully it's just a lube issue, as it was on the V70 ...

Bernie

If it is not the fuse, then it will be a wiring problem. Check the bundle that go with the upper hinge on the liftgate. Do not take the blade off and reposition the wiper, if the power comes on the wiper will be in the paint.
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My back feels better when I sit in a Volvo seat

Klaus - I checked the fuse and wire bundle in hinge, both are OK. Wiper did move 20-30 degrees after removing and reinstalling the fuse (?). By doing this several times (including turning ignition ON and OFF), I was able to at least bring the wiper back into the rest position. 'Any ideas?

Thanks,

Bernie

'07 is pretty new, but 240s have a chronic problem with the bushing and the shaft freezing up. If it moves, it is getting power and the motor is trying. Lube the shaft where it comes out of the bushing in the tailgate and work it back and forth for a while.

Greg

I'll have to try that, maybe even 'help it' move when thurned ON.

Thanks,

Bernie

I can`t help but my wife`s `03 XC70 as exactly the same issue as of a week ago.
Wondering if a wire has been "pinched", hope it`s not the wiper motor.
Rich