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2010-2014 Ford Mustang Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement

In this guide will be be replacing a windshield...

iFixit Library 2010-2014 Ford Mustang Moderate 1 - 2 hours Guide 162735

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Guide overview

Before you begin

In this guide will be be replacing a windshield wiper motor on a 2010 Ford Mustang. This repair might be necessary if your windshield wipers are randomly turning on when you haven't turned them on. Eventually, if that's what they are doing the motor will completely burn out. At that point, you won't have functioning wipers at all. The wiper motor is under the cowl, fairly close to a drain plug that can get easily clogged causing a large pool of water in that area. So, if you take your car through the car wash a lot, and don't park under covered parking regularly, this repair might be necessary every couple of years due to bad placement of the wiper motor. Trying to limit how wet your car gets will extend the life of the wiper motor. Before you begin, if you have anything you need in the trunk of the car, get it out before you begin the repair. You will be disconnecting the battery at Step 3 and once the battery is disconnected you won't be able to unlock the trunk.

Step 1

Repair step

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Before beginning this repair, take a reference picture of the position of your wipers. It will help when you are reassembling to know how they were placed.
If you have anything you need in the trunk of the car, get it out before you begin the repair. Once the battery is disconnected you won't be able to unlock the trunk.

Step 2

Repair step

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Pull the hood release located on the driver's side of the car.
Undo the hood latch.
It is hard to see but you can feel it directly above the Mustang emblem.

Step 3

Repair step

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If you have anything you need in the trunk of the car, get it out before you disconnect the battery. Once the battery is disconnected you won't be able to unlock the trunk.
Use an 8 mm socket to loosen the bolt on the battery terminal.
Pull off the negative(black) terminal first.
Repeat the process for the positive(red) terminal.

Step 4

Repair step

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There is a small rubber cap on top of the wiper arm where it connects to the car. Pulling up on it will pull it off.
Pull both caps off using your hand and set them aside.

Step 5

Repair step

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Using a 13 mm socket, remove the bolt that is under the black rubber cap on both wiper arms.
These bolts connect the wiper arms to the car.
The hood needs to be in the down position for removal.
It is easier if you have an extension for the socket, or a deep socket but it isn't necessary.

Step 6

Repair step

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Put the hood back down.
It doesn't need to be completely closed but needs to be down to remove the wiper arms.
With both hands, wiggle the wiper arm and pull up in the direction of the bolt thread to remove it from the car. Repeat the process on the other side.
You might have to use a bit of force.
Keep track of which arm goes where. The driver-side and passenger-side arms are different.

Step 7

Repair step

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There are four clips that connect the cowl to the car. Use a flathead screwdriver to push the bottom of the pin in the middle of the clip up.
Grab it with your fingers once it starts to come up and pull it out.
Pinch the sides of the clip and push it up out of its hole.
Remove all four of the clips and set them aside.

Step 8

Repair step

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Begin to pull up on the side of the cowl that is closest to the engine.
Release the plastic hooks by pulling up on the cowl.
Be careful about pulling too hard on the plastic hooks, as they may be brittle from sun damage.

Step 9

Repair step

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To remove the cowl completely, start on the passenger side and lift it up towards the hood of the car. The side that lifts from the middle seam of the cowl is the part to lift up.
With the cowl up near the hood, begin to turn it in a clock wise motion. This will allow the end of the cowl that is by the fender to slip out from under the edge of the hood.
Repeat the same process for the driver side. This time when the edge is lifted up towards the hood turn it counterclockwise to slip it out from under the edge of the hood.

Step 10

Repair step

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Take a reference photo of what the assembly looks like right before you take it apart. It will be helpful for reassembly to know the way the arms are pointed.

Step 11

Repair step

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With a 13 mm wrench take the bolt off that is on top of the windshield wiper motor.
Use both hands and a bit of force to get the arm that was under the bolt to move from the bolt thread.
Move the joints of the assembly out of the way to reveal all three bolts that mount the wiper motor.

Step 12

Repair step

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Use an 8 mm socket to release the three bolts that connect the assembly to the car.
Use a socket arm extension for easier access when removing the bolts.

Step 13

Repair step

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The assembly that holds the wiper motor should lift out now. Turn it over and you will see the wiper motor.
Push the tab on the electrical connector towards the exposed wires and you should be able to pull the connector off the wiper motor.
Pull the assembly out of the car. Set it to the side for now.

Step 14

Repair step

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There is a drain plug underneath where the wiper motor was. It allows water to drain out of the area and can become clogged causing the wiper motor to be flooded. This can lead to the motor shorting out and eventually it will stop working.
Take this chance to pull it out and clean out any debris.
Push it back into place.

Step 15

Repair step

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Set the wiper assembly down on something sturdy and flat. Use a 10 mm socket, and remove each of the three bolts.
Once the bolt is loose enough you can back it all the way out with your hand.
Removing all these bolts will release the wiper motor from the frame. Set the assembly down on something so it doesn't fall to the ground.

Step 16

Repair step

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The wiper motor is now off the assembly.
Take the new wiper motor and follow the guide in reverse to put on the new motor. Reassemble everything back together.