How To Repair A Dodge Dakota Windshield Wiper System On The Cheap PT1 Diagnosis & Tear Down

We are restoring a 1991 Dodge Dakota SE 5.2L V8 windshield wiper system back to factory O.E.M. operation. We bought this truck on the cheap because the wiper system was inoperative and blowing fuses.
The previous owner believed there was an electrical short in the dash causing the wiper system to blow fuses. He also believed it was going to be very expensive to fix to which he was wrong, We will diagnosis the issue and show you how to fix this for less then $50.00 dollar worth of used parts in Part II.

[@capelee1]

I want to thank you for this excellent series as it helped me successfully fix my '96 Dakota [the only brand new vehicle I've ever bought]. Probably saved me $200 from having a shop do it!

[@KNKRNR]

We love these trucks!!! Glad this video helped you. /K&K

[@harryballz6358]

Btw my motor didnt work at all when I got it. I first added a ground wire on the motor to body and they worked. I have to stop them in the down position but they work after adding another ground.

[@44punisherable]

My wipers just quit while driving in the rain on the way to work. The wiper motor is fine. Heard a loud clunk on the driver's side so something isn't catching. So no work except to fix it. 88 dodge dakota

[@KNKRNR]

The bushing for the arm assembly likes to pop off the motor. We have tried the bushing kits to find its better to find a used oem set from the junk yard to resolve the issue. /K&K

[@44punisherable]

@@KNKRNRgot the bushings from dormans unfortunately it's the ten pack and actually need all three bushings, passenger side is ready let loose. What an ass it is to replace these! My Dakota is still in great shape but I'm pretty irritated with the bushings

[@computernostalgia6293]

We finally gave up and just went to the junkyard to fix my grandmas 1989 Dodge Dakotas wipers

[@KNKRNR]

Junkyard parts is the best and easiest way to fix this issue. /K&K

[@harryballz6358]

My 1988 V6 has a holley TBFI setup too...fwiw Issues with wipers too, sombody JB welded its wiper arms on..lol Still looking for the entire wiper setup for it cause most in yards are trashed. Oddly enough my 1964 Dodge trucks wiper arms were broken too so Mopar never built any wipers nearly as well as other car makers. Really sad they went with such cheap builds when you think just how important wipers are for their customers safety!

[@dennis2527]

On the top of the cowl there is s place for a screw between the wiper arms. What size screw and what does the screw lock into. What holds it in place? Need the screw and clip got one? Thanks, Dennis

[@cc3968]

I have a 92 Dakota 3.9L v6 and my wiper arms are stripped. Not the arms, but the part you had the vice grips on. I’m guessing I would have to get the whole linkage/transmission. Can’t find a part number for replacement. Can you offer any help or suggestions on fixing this? Thanks

[@KNKRNR]

Best suggestion would be to either find a used "wiper arm transmission assemble" on eBay / (internet junk yards) or your local junkyard. Unfortunately Dodge or Dorman does not make a wiper arm transmission assemble replacement. If you can't find one let me know and I can sell & ship you a replacement from our local salvage yards. /K&K

[@cc3968]

Thanks for your help. I’ll check around and see what I can come up with, if I don’t have any luck here I’ll let you know. I really appreciate it man.

[@officerjake1178]

Had mine less than a week, and boom gone today

[@KNKRNR]

Yup this was the first repair we did on this truck. What broke in your wiper assembly? /K&K

[@colinv2720]

I had bought my 94 dakota back in August what exactly do I need to look for with my wiper system when I open it up... i can hear the motor runner but the wiper dont move i would live to know before i take her apart

[@KNKRNR]

Your most likely looking at a bushing failure from the wiper motor to the linkage arm assemble. Most common issue I have found if the wiper motor works. /K&K

[@zachdb8837]

@@KNKRNR I just got one and same just hear the motor but no movement gonna take it and check tomorrow is the bushing replaceable or should I just order the motor anyway

[@KNKRNR]

@@zachdb8837 If the motor is good you should replace the wiper arm assemble as shown in this video. Dorman makes a replacement bushings but they are hard to install and generally they shear in half after a short use. The aftermarket bushings don't fix the binding issue in the wiper arm assembly that cuts the OEM bushing in half in the first place. I have tried to use those bushing replacements and it normally doesn't work out well. /K&K

[@IKnoImTrash]

I have a 93 dodge dakota sport and when I flip the high low switch the headlights start turning on and off. Now this happened out of no where one night and then to top it off it was raining at night, and the windsheild wipers started skittering and then stopping. Took me 4 hours to get home.

[@KNKRNR]

Either the headlight switch is grounding back to the wiper switch / motor, or the there is an electrical short between the steering column to the headlight switch. I would get a used headlight switch and install it first to narrow down the cause. /K&K

[@44punisherable]

At least they still make them so we can fix them

[@Aplushandymanservice]

Fuel response is way better on the tbi

[@KNKRNR]

Yup if it weren't for strict emission laws automakers would still be using TBI and non modular engines. /K&K

[@donaldevans6867]

Value verses that long term .

[@KNKRNR]

So far I haven't had any issues. I do have an extra set of wiper assembles sitting in my parts shed just in case. /K&K

[@hocus2591]

this some bullshit bruh my damn wiper blades wont come off

[@KNKRNR]

So there's a little clip that needs to slide up right at the bottom of the arm and it will pop right off. /K&K