The wiper motor drives a short arm in a small circle, which drives a connecting rod that translates the circular motion into lateral crosswise back and forth action. That connecting rod connects to swing arms that drive the rotational studs to which the windshield wiper arms affix.
I more or less envisioned a setup something like that... I figured that since the motor still works (turned it on and heard it making very normal noises) and the wipers still move in tandem, then it was probably the connection between motor and the mechanism that links the arms. Thank you for verifying my suspicions.
If your wiper arms still operate in unison, I'd turn on the wiper motor and shine a flashlight down into the windshield vent on the passenger side. You shoudl be able to visualize the assembly and identify what's moving and what's not.
You mean I should be able to see it without removing the plastic cowling under the wiper arms?! Wow - I didn't know that. I'll have to check that out this afternoon...
I'd guess that the connecting rod flexed enough to pop it off the ball stud on the wiper motor armature.
Based on the noise I heard - it sounded like a pistol shot! - I'd guess I heard plastic, brittle from the cold temperatures, giving up the ghost.
If that's the case, pop it back on, and pull out the creeper for underside inspection. Three or four hours later, after a good nap, crawl back out and inform the wife that, by the merit of your hard work and incredible mechanical skills, you have repaired the issue. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/mrt.gif" alt="" />
Randii
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
My wife knows that I know just enough about cars to break things really, really well. That's why one of my best friends is a mechanic. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
Luckily, one of my wife's employees is married to a guy who does parts at the local Honda dealer, so he can get me parts on the cheap. After he looked at it, he thought the same thing we both did.
I'll keep you guys updated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
