Wipers are one of the most common parts on a vehicle taken for granted. Many drivers have the wiper blades changed while their car is in for an oil change, but hardly anyone thinks about the wiper motors, which are typically reliable. However, when a wiper motor does fail, it can be a pain. Getting caught in a rain or snow storm without operational wiper blades isn't just inconvenient; it's dangerous and against the law in many areas. While a driver could get a mechanic to perform this repair, replacing the wiper motor in a 2000 Ford Focus can be done by just about anyone.
Visit a parts store or junk yard to obtain a replacement wiper motor.
Open the hood and use the prop rod to hold it open. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Lift up the plastic cap at the base of the wiper arm. Using a ratchet, loosen the now-exposed nut one or two turns.
Lift the wiper arm, and move it side to side gently to help release it. Once it feels loose, completely remove the nut that was previously loosened.
Locate the caps in the cowl grille at the base of the windshield. The cowl grille is the black, pivoted plastic piece between the windshield and the hood with the hood closed. Starting on the left (passenger's) side, pry the caps, and unscrew the screws below the caps. Remove the cowl grille once it is completely loosened.
Locate the small, black clip near where the retaining caps and screws were removed. Remove the clip, and move it off to the side. Disconnect the wiper motor plug in the same area.
Locate the three bolts securing the wiper motor and its linkage to the Focus' firewall, and unscrew them. This loosens the assembly, so hold onto the motor and linkage. Remove the assembly from the vehicle.
Unscrew the motor from the linkage by locating the three screws on the opposite side of the wiper motor and removing them.
Attach the replacement wiper motor in place of the old motor.
Put the assembly back into place, securing all three bolts in place on the firewall. Plug the wiper motor and place the small black clip back into place.
Secure the cowl grille back into place. Put the wiper arm back into place, and tighten it, being careful not to over-tighten.
Reconnect the negative battery cable.
