'99 Explorer - rear wiper malfunction

[andon_ca]

The rear wiper tends to work only occasionally. When it malfunctions, it will sweep the window from right to left, stop where it should, then after about 5 seconds it will continue down another 6 inches to the very bottom left side of the window where it will stay for about 15 to 60 seconds. It will then sweep the window from left to right and stop again for another 15 seconds. Other times it works perfectly. Any ideas?

 

[gijoecam]

Sounds like either the motor is shot, or the relays are sticking... It's got electrical gremlins in all likelihood.

The other thing to check is that the spline isn't stripped. Flip up the plastic cover over the base of the arm and see if the shaft turns without the arm moving.

-Joe