How to replace the windshield wiper motor in a Caravan, Voyager or Town and Country

This video shows the tear down and installation of a windshield wiper motor in a 1998 to 2003 Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager or Chrysler Town and Country. Depicted in the video is a 2000 Dodge Caravan. Included is a motor troubleshooting demo.
Here are some wiper motors for this van: amzn.to/1G2GHsC

[@rideronthewhitehorse2012]

A car that is easy to work on would be a blessing... you should be able to open the hood and pop stuff right out... it’s how a great engineer would design something... too bad money is what everyone cares about. Thank you for the video it gave me some good information.

[@jeanniepage883]

I didn’t want to replace the wiper motor myself but I couldn’t find a mechanic to do the job until after Christmas so with the rainy weather in Victoria BC I either had to do it myself or go without a vehicle for a week. Thanks to this very detailed video I replaced my motor myself and saved myself a few hundred dollars. Thanks so much for your very comprehensive instructional video!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome and thanks for taking the time to comment!

[@jamesmskipper]

That looks more difficult than I expected, but you have explained it well!

[@BilbosOreo]

I just want to thank you for this video! My husband and I just replaced the wiper motor on his van! WooHoo! It's good to have wipers again, especially before the rainy season begins here in the Pacific Northwest! Thanks again!

[@BilgemasterBill]

Just wanted to swing by and thank you for taking the time to put this up here. It must have saved my family a couple-few hundred bucks. Other commenters have asked why you also took out the pan, but I agree with you that it just makes it easier. Marking the orientation of the wiper drive linkage assembly arms with a Sharpie was a fine idea. It may also be helpful to just plug the new motor in BEFORE mounting it, running it briefly and stopping it to make sure it's in "resting position" before installation, since there's little guarantee the new motor's that way out of the box, especially after a few bumps and jostlings during shipment. But anyhow, once again: Thanks a lot!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome and thanks for sharing the installation tip.

[@chadeugene86]

Thanks for the video! My wife's wiper motor in her 2000 Caravan went out a couple days ago, and thanks to this video I had it replaced in about an hour.

[@Joebb3Games]

The 1996 Grand Caravan is EXACTLY like this. Just changed out my motor with EASE, thanks to your video!!! Thank you so much! It was easy after I knew what I was doing after watching you. The symptom that I fixed with the new motor was, Stopping in random positions when turning the wipers off AND the intermittent wipe was not pausing correctly. All fixed now!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Joebb3 Games Nice work and thanks for the comment.

[@ajilaamafarms9365]

Very informative, but after opening it up, I found I could easily replace mine (1997) just by removing the wiper arms, cowl and loosening the motor bracket. No need to take all that other stuff off or out of the van. Had to pry up on the bracket and do a little creative cursing to make it in and out, but to me was a much better way.

[@jeromebourchier1812]

2021! Thank you sir! One of the best do it yourself vids I've used! My '97; Plymouth Grand Voyager is wiping fine now! 👍

[@privateerdude]

Great Video! I just changed my wiper motor (which had died in the middle position of the windshield) after a long labor intense struggle. I managed to get it replaced. I did overlook one very important thing but was able to resolve. The linkage position when connected to the motor. I noticed the correct position you had it in when putting the assembly back in place! All good now no wiper clash! Thanks so very much!

[@richardgonzalez4543]

I've done it once before watching this video, needed to refresh my mine for it was a few years ago i changed it. thanks

[@GOODNESS-sp4hm]

Excellent Video Great teacher indeed Have learned a lot Thanks

[@user-bh8eo7lo5i]

Needed to do this for awhile, thanks you’ve made it simple for me!

[@haroldrice6864]

Excellent video. Shows every step clearly.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Harold Rice Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@mrk3467]

Just did the same job on my '97 today after watching this vid. Thanks for posting this.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@cyberzero2010]

I can confirm this is also the very same for 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan SE 3.3... I believe the range is 1996 to 2002 not 1998 to 2003.....

[@Camden1438]

Thank you for showing someone like me, who is somewhat handy with tools but not a real mechanic type, how to do this repair. Only comment I have is you should show how the washer hose fastener/grommet would just punch through that hole in the pan for release - my wife actually figured that one out for me. : )

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Jack Camden Thanks for the comment. You have a very helpful wife. Not many could do that!

[@athenamorales7321]

Thanks man saved me a bundle of 💰. Love your editing

[@MrStucrew]

Thanks for the video. I just replaced my wiper motor and you made it so much easier and less stressful. :-)

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Stuart Malcolm You're welcome and I'm glad it helped.

[@MrStucrew]

And now I have to do it again and you are helping me again :-)

[@TiffanyJoly]

Much appreciated on this vid. I have a 2000 Grand caravan that the motor went out on and because of watching this i made sure to mark all the linkage and go from there. It all seems to be going exactly as your video cept my bolts were more of a pain in the butt on the brackets. But solid advice on all the markings. Thank you!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Tiffany Joly You're welcome and good job on your wiper motor replacement!

[@toddeifert410]

Nice one. Thanks for the great info!

[@jerryjdawgsworldarnold]

i came, i saw...and glad i did...however, i'm headed for the restrictor valve below the wipers...plus i imagine the box is full of trash from the years of sitting...so this was a great video

[@JuanLopez-zf9fz]

Thank you very much amigo your video help me to put out the motor windshield in my Dodge Caravan.

[@trd4d]

Hey I just want to say thanks for posting the video it really came in handy when I did mine

[@geetee3312]

Was very informative and helpful, thank you

[@MikeMagatagan]

Thank you. This was very helpful!

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're very welcome.

[@naejackson282]

Clear instructional video. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@foragerwynne682]

Great Video. On my vehicle, a 1997 Grand Caravan, the 13mm nut at the motor itself was loose, barely tightened at all. When I tightened it snugly to see if that was the source of the chattering , I could not manually move the linkage. In your video you had to tap the handle of a connected wrench with a hammer to loosen the nut. When you installed the new one, you tightened it quite a bit. I'm replacing the motor tomorrow. Does the looseness/tightness of the nut on my vehicle indicate any problems I should know about? The linkage appears to be ok, operating smoothly, by hand, when the nut is hand-tightened, but is stuck if the nut is wrench-tightened to any degree. The linkage is not bent or corroded.

[@charlie101502]

Thanks a lot. Very good video.

[@rightytighty349]

I dont know if you mentioned it. The new motor has to be cycled to get it in the right position before you can screw the linkage on. I managed to put mine backwards and the wipers parked upright. I just redid it and made sure the wiper is down in relation to the motor after it was turned on and off.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Good tip. Thanks for posting!

[@Lucio..]

thank you ,very clear.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're very welcome.

[@alanemert941]

Question @The Original Mechanic I understand using the vice grips to keep orientation, but when you bolt the new motor in, how do you know the new motor will be in the same orientation that the old motor was when you removed it?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I had to take another look at the video to refresh my mind. I see your concern. This is my best answer. I think the replacement motor must be shipped in the wipers down, rest position. As long as your linkage is in the same position at time of install, you should be good. I hope this helps.

[@alanemert941]

For anyone else with this question, I figured this out: It doesn't seem to matter where the motor is oriented when you put it in. Just run and then park the motor BEFORE you put your wipers back on. Then put your wipers back on in the parked position. Also you can mark on the winshield with tape where your wipers park before you take them off. Much easier than trying to eye it. BTW. I replaced the motor and the relays, and these stupid wipers still wont turn off. I wantt o die now. :(

[@amerikeet]

Thanks so much.

[@shondyrocks]

You didn't mention what you did to secure the heat mat that sits above the motor behind the wiper tray. I had to take the tray out for an AC repair, and that mat doesn't want to stay where it used to. It doesn't look like there were any fasteners present to keep it pinned up.

[@geamax1]

Man not sure if will read this 6yrs later. I have a voyager 1993 and 2 days ago massive rain had to put the wipers on Hi. And I started hearing a bang every two wipes on the driver side. Any idea? Maybe the rubbers on the link connectors? Motor seems to be strong

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

The only way to know what happened inside is to take it apart.

[@tycumbie788]

Thank you for this! Questions: Would this be applicable, more or less, to a '93 Voyager? What is the device used to test the voltage, and is it worth it to acquire one, given I'm not a mechanic? Finally, if the motor is dead, how can I find a replacement (assuming it's not a readily available part)?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I don't know about applicability to a '93. I used a voltmeter, but an inexpensive test light could be used to verify voltage. These are likely sold as assemblies so I doubt if you could find a motor. A scrapyard might be possibility though.

[@juancarlosfloresalvarado9185]

Thank you.

[@shawnwithee6336]

Thanks for the video! What a horrible designed unit this is!! Remarkable how they think this is the best for the vehicle they could come up with. Some geek sits behind a keyboard and thinks this crap up, never turning a wrench in his life.

[@johnnycat500]

Would anyone have the color code for this wiper, I have one coming and need to know the wires to use for the high speed circuit. I'm using it a project. Thanks

[@beverlys6796]

does this also fix issues when the washer fluid will not spray on a 2010 Chrysler T&C?

[@BrianSmith-yw6yn]

The windshield washer pump is probably bad

[@colinodon1]

would a motor replacement be the right choice if the wipers stay stuck in the up position? (they go back down if i push them, it seems like the motor runs out of strength in the middle of the wiper travel.)

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Make sure the motor is getting full 12V power. If it is it may well be the motor but make sure the linkage moves freely without the motor.

[@robsollers8128]

I have same problem mine go up but won't go back down unless I push them. The also make a buzzing sound like the motor is working but unable to park the wipers for some reason.

[@agrt4889]

Hi, the link to your donation page isn't shown as an annotation during the video.

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Yeah, I know. I kind of stopped doing that due to a lack of interest. There is a donation link on my home page and if you are able to donate, I certainly would be grateful. Thanks for watching!

[@tonytonetoner8355]

❤

[@kar15bigdog]

mine just stopped working in the middle of the rain and i replace the fuse but still not working so might be the motor or something else

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

The best way to figure it out is to put a meter or test light at the end of the wiring plug going to the motor. If there is power there with the wipers turned on, the motor is bad. If not the problem is somewhere upstream.

[@roryflood6172]

So from start to finish how long did it take you to do this replacement?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

Been awhile, but I'd estimate 3-4 hours

[@ignaciocarrazco2062]

Muy trabajo

[@MommaBearsCorner]

what should it have read if the motor part was good and it maybe switches or something else? or if something is just loose? and would you be hearing it trying to work... you left a few important should knows out i wish i could find out. cause you did not say. but your showing replacement. great video on it. I have new weather stripping. Guess perfect time to that too. lol thanks

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

My only experience with a windshield wiper problem is a bad motor. I suppose faulty switches or a mechanical jam would find the motor trying to run. If there was no voltage on the test I did that would mean a problem elsewhere, such as a fuse.

[@rickhenderson237]

You don't take all that off just loosing the bottom brackets in cow panel and three brackets on top and where the motor tie on and lift the wire that's over one of the brackets stud and take the bracket where motor is connected on and loosing lift up to clear the motor stud.

[@CHEAPROLLIN]

Is that rig still running?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

No. Scrapped it out two years ago.

[@kf1279]

Does the motor out of a 2002 fit into a 1999?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I believe it will. You can check out the part number for an '02 on a site like Rock Auto and see if the same part is called for on a '99.

[@rdccs5122]

is this the same procedure for a 1995?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Roger Cretsinger That is a previous generation of the mini vans so there are likely to be differences.

[@Joebb3Games]

+Roger Cretsinger My 1996 was exactly like this. (I know this was 3 months ago, but just in case.)

[@rapperhostile]

thx

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

You're welcome.

[@bjacker7019]

did you really have to remove the tray from vehicle?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

I think so. I mean you can try but I think the little extra work to pull the tray is worth it.

[@EduardoHernandez-gg4dy]

Wacha wey may love 😂😂😂😂

[@tllred11]

how long does this take from start to finish, with no problems?

[@TheOriginalMechanic]

+Luciana Seymour No problems? What's that like? It took me a couple of hours. I'm a guy who takes frequent breaks, though.

[@tllred11]

+The Original Mechanic Thanks, I'm sure we will be taking many breaks too.

[@alclement1567]

Dont show how to time

[@dassadec]

Omg yeah nim just gonna pay someone else to do all that bullshit. Gross