Replacement of the front windshield wiper motor assembly on a 2024 Tesla Model S Long Range. The wiper motor and linkage are accessed by removing the cowl panel at the base of the windshield.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wiper motor assembly (Model S 2021+ refresh-spec) × 1 — Tesla OEM front wiper motor/linkage assembly — verify by VIN
• Cowl panel clips/retainers (replace any damaged on removal) × 1 — OEM cowl retainer clips

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, and engage the parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob carried away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Open the frunk and remove the nose cowl/access panel to expose the 12V battery. Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery negative terminal first, then positive. (Note: if this is a Plaid with the 16V Li-ion under the rear seat, follow that disconnect procedure instead.)
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Lift the wiper arms off the windshield to their service/upright position, or mark their parked position on the glass with tape for reinstallation reference.
7. Have the replacement wiper motor assembly on hand and verify it matches the original by part number/VIN before disassembly.

Procedure

1. 1

   Mark and remove wiper arms
   Mark the parked position of both wiper arms on the windshield using tape or a paint marker. Pry off the plastic nut cap at the base of each wiper arm, then remove the retaining nut. Use a wiper arm puller to break the arm free from the splined shaft — do NOT lever against the windshield glass or aluminum cowl. Set arms aside.
   ⚠Aluminum body — never pry against painted panels or use a hammer to free a stuck wiper arm.
2. 2

   Remove cowl panel weatherstrip and trim
   Carefully lift the rubber weatherstrip seal that runs along the rear edge of the hood/front of the cowl. Using plastic trim tools, release the cowl panel retainer clips. The cowl on the refresh Model S is a multi-piece plastic assembly — work slowly and release each clip without flexing the panel excessively.
3. 3

   Disconnect washer hose and remove cowl
   Before fully lifting the cowl free, disconnect the windshield washer fluid hose from any nozzle or junction routed through the cowl. Cap or position the line to prevent fluid drainage. Lift the cowl panel away and place it on a soft surface to avoid scratches.
   ℹ️Some washer fluid may drain — have a rag ready.
4. 4

   Inspect work area for HV cabling
   Visually inspect the now-exposed cowl/plenum area. The wiper motor and linkage are 12V components and should NOT have any orange cabling routed near them. If you see any orange cable, STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
   ⚠️Orange = high voltage. Do not proceed if any orange cable is in the work area.
5. 5

   Disconnect wiper motor electrical connector
   Locate the wiper motor wiring harness connector on the motor body. Release the connector locking tab and unplug it. Free the harness from any retaining clips on the wiper module/linkage frame.
6. 6

   Remove wiper motor/linkage module mounting bolts
   The wiper motor on the Model S is mounted to a linkage carrier frame that is bolted to the body at multiple points. Remove the mounting bolts securing the wiper module/carrier frame to the vehicle. Support the assembly as you remove the last bolt — it can be heavier than expected.
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Extract wiper motor and linkage assembly
   Tilt and maneuver the wiper motor and linkage assembly out of the plenum area. The Model S wiper system is typically replaced as a complete motor + linkage unit. If servicing only the motor from the linkage, separate the motor from the linkage at the bench by removing the crank arm nut and the motor-to-linkage bolts — torque to OEM specification on reassembly. Refer to Tesla Service Manual for exact values.
   ⚠If reusing the linkage, mark the crank arm position relative to the motor output shaft before separating, or the wipers will not park correctly.
8. 8

   Compare and prep new motor
   Place the new wiper motor/linkage assembly next to the old one. Confirm: connector type, mounting points, linkage geometry, and shaft spline pattern all match. Transfer any grommets or isolators if required.
9. 9

   Install new wiper motor/linkage assembly
   Position the new assembly into the plenum and align it with the body mounting points. Hand-start all module mounting bolts before torquing any of them. Torque the module mounting bolts to specification.
   Torque spec

   Module Mounting Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect electrical and washer hose
    Reconnect the wiper motor electrical connector — verify the locking tab clicks fully home. Re-secure the harness in its original retainers. Reconnect the windshield washer fluid line to its junction or nozzle.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the cowl panel, ensuring all retainer clips fully seat. Replace any clips broken during removal.
2. Reinstall the rubber weatherstrip along the rear of the hood opening, pressing it fully into its channel.
3. Reinstall the wiper arms on the splined shafts, aligning to the tape marks made before removal. Install the retaining nuts and torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual. Reinstall the plastic nut caps.
4. Reconnect the 12V battery: positive terminal first, then negative. Torque battery terminal bolts to 6.0 Nm (4.0 lb-ft) — do not overtighten.
5. Reinstall the frunk nose cowl/access panel.
6. Top off windshield washer fluid if any was lost during the procedure (system capacity ~3.5 qt).

Verification

• Power on the vehicle. The center touchscreen may display a 'wiper service' or calibration prompt after 12V reconnection — follow on-screen prompts if shown.
• Cycle the wipers through all speeds (intermittent, low, high) using the stalk control. Confirm smooth operation with no binding or unusual noise.
• Activate the wipers, then turn them off — verify the wipers return to the correct park position at the base of the windshield (matching your tape marks). If they park high or low, the crank-to-motor relationship is off; remove and re-index.
• Test the windshield washer spray and wipe function — confirm fluid sprays, wipers activate, and no leaks are visible at the cowl area.
• Verify the auto-wiper function (if equipped, via rain sensor / Tesla Vision) responds appropriately — this may take a short drive to validate.
• Inspect the cowl panel fitment: edges flush, weatherstrip seated, no gaps. Aluminum body panels can show minor misalignment if clips are not fully engaged.

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