The wiper motor in your Honda Civic controls the function of the car's windshield wipers. The wiper motor is a cylindrical canister mounted on the passenger's side of the firewall. This component doesn't normally fail during the lifetime of the vehicle, but before you replace anything or have the vehicle serviced, you should troubleshoot the motor to help determine whether this is why your wipers are not functioning properly.
Open the fuse panel by by pulling down on the fuse panel cover--the fuse panel is located under the steering column.
Pull out the fuse for the wiper motor using the fuse pullers in the fuse panel. Use the fuse diagram to locate the fuse. If the metal strip inside the fuse is blown, it could be an indication that the electrical draw on the motor is too great. However, this usually indicates a problem with the alternator's voltage regulator, and not with the motor itself.
Open the hood and check the wiring running to the wiper motor. If the lead wires are burnt or damaged in any way and the fuse is blown, the motor has likely failed and needs to be replaced (along with the wiring).
Check the lead connectors. Make sure the lead connectors are secure. Sometimes, lead connectors come loose and will cause the wiper motor to stop working simply because it is not getting any power.
Turn on the wiper motor. If it is hesitating or seems strained, the motor is wearing out and needs to be replaced.
