1.5L I4 TurboFWDCVTgasturbo
4 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
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electrical

Wiper Motor - Front

for 2021 Honda Accord 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD
Editorial review:Chris HacklemanMaster Technician · 20+ years · Jeff MooreMaster Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
1.5 h
Tools
8
Steps
15
Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front windshield wiper motor assembly on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord with the 1.5L turbo engine.

Warnings

Disconnecting the battery will erase radio presets and may require power window auto-up/down reinitialization after repair.
Do not force the wiper linkage or arms during removal as they can be easily bent or damaged.
ℹ️Mark the position of wiper arms on the windshield before removal to ensure proper reinstallation alignment.

Tools required

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Parts

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
  2. Turn ignition off and remove key
  3. Mark wiper blade positions on windshield with tape or marker for proper reinstallation
  4. Move wiper arms to service position by turning ignition on, activating wipers, then turning off when arms are vertical
  5. Open hood and support with prop rod

Procedure

  1. 1
    Disconnect battery negative terminal
    Using a 10mm socket, loosen the negative battery terminal bolt and disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Secure the cable away from the battery terminal to prevent accidental reconnection.
    Torque spec
    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)
  2. 2
    Remove wiper arms
    Lift the wiper arm cover caps at the base of each wiper arm. Use a 14mm socket to remove the wiper arm retaining nuts. Mark the position of each arm, then carefully pull the wiper arms straight off the splined shafts. You may need to gently rock the arms while pulling. Remove both driver and passenger side wiper arms.
  3. 3
    Remove cowl cover panels
    Remove the rubber weatherstrip seal along the rear edge of the hood opening above the cowl. Use trim removal tools to carefully pry up and remove the plastic clips securing the cowl cover panels. Start from one end and work across. Remove the cowl cover panels by lifting up and away from the vehicle. There are typically 8-10 clips securing these panels.
    Cowl panel clips are fragile - use proper trim tools and work slowly to avoid breaking clips.
  4. 4
    Disconnect washer hoses
    Locate the windshield washer fluid hoses connected to the washer nozzles in the cowl area. Carefully disconnect the hoses by squeezing the connector tabs and pulling away from the nozzles. Have a cloth ready as some fluid may drip from the hoses.
    ℹ️Note the routing of washer hoses for proper reinstallation.
  5. 5
    Remove wiper linkage cover
    Remove the plastic cover over the wiper linkage mechanism. This is typically secured with 2-3 screws or clips. Use a 10mm socket or trim tools as appropriate to remove the cover and expose the wiper motor and linkage assembly.
    Torque spec
    Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
  6. 6
    Disconnect wiper motor electrical connector
    Locate the electrical connector on the wiper motor. Press the locking tab and carefully pull the connector straight off the motor. Do not pull on the wires themselves.
  7. 7
    Remove wiper motor mounting bolts
    Using a 10mm socket, remove the three bolts securing the wiper motor to the mounting bracket. Support the motor assembly while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
    Torque spec
    Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
  8. 8
    Separate motor from linkage
    Disconnect the wiper motor from the linkage assembly. There is a ball-socket connection between the motor crank arm and the linkage. Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the linkage arm off the motor crank ball. Work gently to avoid damaging the socket or ball joint.
    The linkage arm is under slight spring tension - control the linkage as it releases from the motor.
  9. 9
    Remove wiper motor
    Carefully maneuver the wiper motor out of the cowl area. You may need to rotate it slightly to clear any obstructions. Remove the motor from the vehicle.
  10. 10
    Install new wiper motor
    Position the new wiper motor in the mounting location. Connect the motor crank arm to the wiper linkage ball socket by pressing firmly until it clicks into place. Verify the connection is secure by gently pulling on the linkage.
  11. 11
    Install motor mounting bolts
    Install the three wiper motor mounting bolts hand-tight first, ensuring the motor is properly aligned. Using a torque wrench and 10mm socket, torque the mounting bolts to specification in a cross pattern.
    Torque spec
    Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
  12. 12
    Reconnect electrical connector
    Plug the electrical connector onto the wiper motor until it clicks into place. Verify the locking tab is fully engaged.
  13. 13
    Reinstall linkage cover and cowl panels
    Reinstall the wiper linkage cover and secure with screws torqued to specification. Reconnect the washer fluid hoses to the nozzles ensuring they click into place. Position the cowl cover panels and press firmly to engage all clips. Reinstall the rubber weatherstrip seal.
    Torque spec
    Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
  14. 14
    Install wiper arms
    Place the wiper arms onto the splined shafts in the marked positions. Install the retaining nuts and tighten with a 14mm socket to secure. Close the cover caps over the nuts. Ensure arms are in the proper park position before final tightening.
  15. 15
    Reconnect battery
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal and torque the battery terminal bolt to specification using a 10mm socket and torque wrench.
    Torque spec
    Battery Terminal Bolts6 Nm (4 lb-ft)

Reassembly

  1. Ensure all cowl panel clips are fully engaged and panels are seated properly
  2. Verify wiper arms are positioned correctly in their park position before testing
  3. Confirm all electrical connections are secure and properly locked
  4. Check that washer hoses are connected and routed correctly

Verification

  • Turn ignition to ON position and test wiper operation in all speed settings (intermittent, low, high)
  • Verify wipers return to proper park position when turned off
  • Test washer fluid spray function to confirm hoses are properly connected
  • Listen for any unusual noises during wiper operation that might indicate improper linkage connection
  • Verify wiper blades contact the windshield properly across the entire sweep pattern
  • Check for any water leaks around the cowl panels after testing
  • Reset power window auto-up/down function if necessary by holding window switch up for 2 seconds after full close

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

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More procedures for this vehicle

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