Windshield Wiper problem

So my son bought a 03 Honda Accord. He's had it 30 days, and the
windshield wipers stopped working.

I've checked the 30 amp fuse in the interior fuse box and it is good.
When you turn on the wipers you can hear a very low volume motor start
to run, but there is no mechanical action at all. I can move the
wipers easily across the windshield, as if they aren't connected to
the motor.

He lives in Rhode Island so he may have turned them on when the ice
had them frozen to the windshield. He wasn't sure about that, but says
it could have happened.

Any ideas to help get him up and running?

Thanks in advance for any help,

Steve

 

The link has popped off the motor's crank ball. You need to replace the
main link (dealer only, about $50). It's a good idea to replace the other
link at the same time.
It is not possible to obtain just the nylon cups on the link. The nylon
cups are the actual wear parts.

Linkages fail at early ages because people use them to sweep snow off the
glass, and because they fail to make sure the blades are free to move
before using the wipers. Both actions are /very/ punishing to wiper
linkages.

Remove the black plastic cowl molding to see the linkage.

 

The wipers, I meant...

 

There is an extended Honda factory warranty on 03 wiper issues. Go to a
dealer and have them check if your problem is covered. You'll end up
with a new motor and cover plate, no charge.

 

There is indeed a TSB (08-043) and Safety Recall on a /similar/ problem.

What made me suspect a failed linkage is the fact that Steve L can move the
wipers easily by hand. A seized motor would render the wipers completely
inoperable, given an intact linkage.

Either way, Steve L should follow your advice and bring this up to the
dealer, quoting the TSB number. If the Safety Recall hasn't yet been
performed on this car, free fix for Steve! Plus, since they have to tear
the cowl apart anyway in order to replace the motor, replacing the link
will add only a few minutes to the work.

 

This is great news, off to the Honda dealer I go tomorrow morning.

Thanks very much for the help.

What a great forum! You guys are far too technical for my normal
brain, but stuff like this is tremendously helpful!!

Steve