Wiper Motor - Front

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front windshield wiper motor on a 2007 Ram 3500 with the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wiper motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cowl seal (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes for airbag system to discharge
3. Mark wiper blade resting position on windshield with tape or marker for proper reinstallation alignment
4. Open hood and prop securely

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove wiper arms
   Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield. Remove the plastic cap covering the wiper arm retaining nut. Use the correct size socket (typically 15mm) to remove the retaining nut from each wiper arm. Rock the wiper arms gently while pulling away from the cowl to remove them from the wiper posts. If stuck, use a wiper arm puller to avoid damaging the posts.
2. 2

   Remove cowl screen
   Remove the rubber weatherstrip seal along the rear edge of the hood opening. Remove the plastic clips or screws securing the cowl screen grille (the plastic vent panel below the windshield). On the Ram 3500, there are typically several push-pin style retainers along the cowl screen. Carefully pry these up using a trim tool or flat blade screwdriver. Lift the cowl screen up and away from the vehicle to expose the wiper motor and linkage assembly.
3. 3

   Disconnect wiper motor electrical connector
   Locate the wiper motor electrical connector on the driver side of the wiper motor assembly. Press the locking tab and disconnect the electrical connector from the wiper motor. Push the wiring harness aside to provide clearance.
4. 4

   Remove wiper linkage from motor crank arm
   Locate the wiper linkage connection to the motor crank arm. Use a flat blade screwdriver to carefully pry the linkage bushing off the ball socket on the motor crank arm. Be careful not to damage the plastic bushing or socket during removal.
5. 5

   Remove wiper motor mounting bolts
   Use the appropriate socket to remove the bolts securing the wiper motor to the cowl support structure (verify count and size against factory documentation). Support the wiper motor with one hand while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
6. 6

   Remove wiper motor assembly
   Carefully maneuver the wiper motor assembly out from under the cowl area. The motor may need to be rotated or tilted to clear surrounding components. Remove the motor from the vehicle and inspect the mounting area for corrosion or damage.
7. 7

   Install new wiper motor
   Position the new wiper motor in the cowl area, ensuring the mounting holes align with the cowl support bracket. Thread in the mounting bolts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten the mounting bolts to the factory-specified torque, ensuring the motor is seated flush against the mounting surface.
8. 8

   Connect linkage and electrical connector
   Push the wiper linkage bushing firmly onto the ball socket of the motor crank arm until it clicks into place. Verify it is fully seated and secure. Reconnect the electrical connector to the wiper motor, ensuring the locking tab clicks into place.
9. 9

   Test wiper motor operation
   Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Turn the ignition to the ON position (do not start engine). Test the wiper motor through all speed settings and verify proper operation before reinstalling the cowl screen. Check that the linkage moves smoothly without binding. Turn wipers off and allow them to return to the park position.
10. 10

    Reinstall cowl screen and wiper arms
    Position the cowl screen back into place and secure with all push-pin retainers or screws. Install the rubber weatherstrip seal along the hood opening. Place each wiper arm onto its respective post, aligning with the position marks made earlier. Thread the retaining nuts onto the posts (typically 15mm) and tighten to the factory-specified torque. Install the plastic caps over the retaining nuts.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all cowl screen retainers are fully seated to prevent rattles and water intrusion
2. Verify wiper arms are properly aligned in the park position before final tightening
3. Double-check that the electrical connector is fully latched and weather seal is in place

Verification

• Test wiper motor operation through all speed settings including intermittent, low, and high speeds
• Verify wipers return to proper park position when turned off
• Check for unusual noise, binding, or jerky movement during operation
• Test washer fluid spray function to ensure it coordinates with wiper activation
• Inspect cowl screen area for any loose components or missing retainers
• Verify no water leaks into cowl area during washer fluid operation

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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