Determine if front wiper motor is bad

[sab3864]

Hello,
I have a 1997 BMW 318ti.

I'm wondering if there is a way to determine if the wiper motor for the front windshield wipers is bad.

In the mornings (about 7:30 AM - East coast of MD) when I try them (no matter which speed setting) I just hear a tick type sound that sounds like it is coming from below the glove box. I have sense notice that when they work it also makes that tick sound, once when they start and once when they stop.

And they won't work the whole drive to work, 30 to 40 minutes. But if I go out about 10 AM or so they will work and work the whole rest of the day. Every now and then they do work first thing in the morning. I've owned the car about 3 months and I can think of at least once it rained in the morning and I used them during the travel.

So I figure it has something to do with temperature, I guess with the car sitting in the sunlight for a few hours makes it work. Although I would think if it is temperature the 30-40 minute ride would heat it up enough from the engine. But who knows.

So my thought is the motor is just not working. I have tried turning them on and then giving them a little nudge to see if they are just slight stuck but that does not help.

I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I don't think it's temperature related. Usually, increased temperature will have the opposite effect on a failing motor.

Start with the basics, check the fuse, relay. Replace them with a known good one. This could very well be a bad motor. I would check for 12V at the connector the motor and see what it does when you operate the switch.

[sab3864]

Thanks for the suggestions.

When you say relay, you mean the larger square type units in the fuse box, correct? I can't seem to find one related to the wiper system. Can anyone confirm if there is or isn't one for my model ('97 318ti). I found part # 61-35-8-366-381-M9 on this site. Could this be instead of a normal relay?

Chilton manual says for E36 models: "The control module for the wiper and washer is located under the left kick panel near the footrest and hood release leaver"

If this is what could be the problem, I probably need to remove the kick panel as I don't see anything accessible down there. There is probably not any way to test it other than replacing it, is there?

Thanks!

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

yes, you would need to remove the kick panel. The relay would be underneath.

[bostogrun]

if there is a "tick" it's most likely the relay. An electromagnetic device that opens the power to the wiper.

[maineiac135]

I had the same problem with my 318i, after alot of troubleshooting it was the wiper control module under the glovebox.