Nissan Repair: 1994 Nissan Altima, nissan altima, wind shield

Question
Hi. Yesterday  in the cold weather I started my daughters Altima. The wind shield was heavily frosted.
I gave the windshield a squirt of wiper fuild and tried to turn on the wipers. They didn't come on. Later I tried to move them by hand. They started working. I then turned them off and tried to turn them back on and the same thing happened. They make a bit of a noise but only move if you help them get started by hand. Could it be a problem with the electric motor, links, or even battery? Thanks...Steve
Steve

Answer
Hi Steve -

First thing I would check is the motor contacts. You can purchase this separately from the motor. The wipers work off a cam like device in the motor housing. When you turn the switch off, the wipers keep going until the cam disconnects it when it passes the "park" spot on the cam which disconnects the circuit. This is why the wipers stop in the down position all the time no matter when you turn it off.

Anyway, when you turn the switch on again, another part of this cam is supposed to connect it and get it started again, but I think it is either worn out, or broken.

If you remove the motor assembly and take the cover off, you will see what part I am talking about.

If you have basic tools, this should not be a problem to replace.

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin