Recall - Windshield Wiper Motor Modification: Overview
08-043October 15, 2008
Applies To:
2003 Accord 4-door - ALL
Safety Recall: Windshield Wiper Motor Does Not Work
(Supersedes 08-043, dated July 17, 2008, to update the information marked by the black bars and shown with asterisks.)
BACKGROUND
A breather port on the windshield wiper motor vents warm air from the wiper motor during operation. If water enters the breather port, it can cause wiper motor corrosion that could make the motor stop working. A non-operating wiper motor increases the risk of a crash in certain conditions.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
Owners of affected vehicles have received a notification of this campaign. An example of the customer notification is shown in this service bulletin.
Not all vehicles within the affected VIN range have a wiper motor problem.
To verify vehicle eligibility, you must check at least one of these items:
^ The customer has a notification letter.
^ The vehicle is shown as eligible on a VIN status inquiry.
In addition, check for a punch mark above the 13th character of the engine compartment VIN. A punch mark in that location means this campaign has already been completed.
Some vehicles affected by this campaign may be in your used vehicle inventory. You should not sell or lease these vehicles until they have been repaired. Should an unrepaired vehicle cause an injury or damage because of the recalled item, the dealership will be solely responsible to the damaged party, and will be required to defend and indemnify American Honda for any resulting claims. To see if a vehicle is affected by this campaign, do a VIN status inquiry before selling or leasing it.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Inspect the windshield wiper motor and, depending on its condition, install a wiper motor kit or a wiper motor cover kit. If a countermeasured wiper motor is already installed, neither kit is needed.
PARTS INFORMATION
Wiper Motor Kit:
P/N: 06760-SDA-A00, H/C 9027137
(Includes a wiper motor and clips for the cowl cover)
Wiper Motor Cover Kit:
P/N 06761-SDA-A00, H/C 9027160
(Includes a cover for the wiper motor and clips for the cowl cover)
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
Failed Part: P/N 76505-SDA-A01
H/C 7146368
Defect Code: 5XW00
Symptom Code: Q7800
Skill Level: Repair Technician
REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and turn on the wipers:
^ If the wipers work, go to step 3.
^ If the wipers don't work, go to step 2.
2. Install a new wiper motor from the wiper motor kit:
NOTE:
Torque the windshield wiper arm nuts to 30 N.m (22 lb-ft), and replace any damaged cowl cover clips. To avoid cracking the windshield, do not allow the wiper linkage assembly or any tools to contact the bottom edge of the windshield.
^ Refer to 2003-2007 Accord Service Manual, or
^ Online, enter keyword WIPE and select Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement from the list.
Once you replace the wiper motor, go to step 25.
3. Remove the windshield wiper arms:
NOTE:
Do not use a screwdriver to remove the cowl cover. Any tool that contacts the bottom edge of the windshield could cause the windshield to crack.
^ Refer to steps 1 and 2 of the 2003-2007 Accord Service Manual, or
^ Online, enter keyword WIPE, select Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement from the list, and do only steps 1 and 2 of that procedure.
4. Check the part number on the wiper motor:
^ * If the part number ends with A020 (see above), a countermeasured wiper motor is already installed, go to step 24.
^ If the part number ends with A011 (see above), go to step 5.
^ If you cannot read the part number, or if the number is not a part number (2725L, for example), go to step 5.*
5. Disconnect the wiper motor 5P connector, and detach the wire harness from the wiper linkage.
6. Remove the wiper linkage assembly from the cowl (four bolts).
7. Scribe a line across the link and the wiper linkage to mark the original park position of the wipers.
8. Remove the wiper motor from the wiper linkage (one center nut and three outside bolts).
9. Look at the breather port on the wiper motor:
^ If the breather port has a splash rib around it, a countermeasured wiper motor is already installed. Go to step 15.
^ If there is no splash rib around the breather port, the wiper motor is a pre-countermeasured part. Go to step 10.
10. Look for rust or cobwebs in the breather port:
^ If the breather port is clean, go to step 11.
^ If you see any rust or cobwebs, you'll be installing a wiper motor kit (wiper motor and cowl clips); go to step 15.
11. Clean the surface of the wiper motor case and the sealing area between the motor case and gear housing with a shop towel.
12. Loosen the two wiper motor screws 3 turns.
NOTE:
Do not remove the motor case from the gear housing (the screws come out after only 5 turns). If you remove the motor case, you could change the position of the magnets inside, causing the motor to run backwards.
13. With the screws still loose, slightly pull the case away from the housing and look inside:
NOTE:
On VINs beginning with JHM, there's a butyl seal between the motor case and the gear housing. To look inside the case, carefully cut through the butyl all the way around the housing with a utility knife, then slightly separate the two halves.
^ * On VINs beginning with 1HG or 3HG, there's an O-ring between the motor case and the gear housing. Look inside the case by slightly separating the two halves by hand. To avoid damaging the O-ring, do not use a screwdriver to separate the halves.*
^ If the inside of the case looks clean, go to step 14.
^ If you see any corrosion, mineral deposits, or water inside the case, you'll be installing a wiper motor kit (wiper motor and cowl clips); go to step 15.
14. On VINs beginning with JHM, retighten the two motor case screws. (You don't need to apply new sealer to the case; the existing butyl will seal the case.) This wiper motor will be reused; go to step 15.
On VINs beginning with 1HG or 3HG, check the condition of the O-ring between the case and the housing:
^ If the O-ring is smooth and flat all the way around the housing, the wiper motor will be reused; tighten the two motor case screws, then go to step 15.
^ If the O-ring is pinched and/or rolled, you'll be installing a wiper motor kit (wiper motor and cowl clips); go to step 15.
15. Place the original or the countermeasured wiper motor in its park position by connecting the 5P connector to the wiper motor and cycling the wiper switch one time.
16. Install the wiper motor onto the wiper linkage using its three outside bolts. Torque the bolts to 8 N.m (6 lb-ft).
17. Move the wiper link into the park position you marked in step 7, then tighten the wiper motor center nut just enough to seat its lock washer.
18. Move the linkage until you can fit an adjustable wrench on the wiper arm link, then hold the link with the adjustable wrench while torquing the center nut to 31 N.m (23 lb-ft).
^ If you're reinstalling a pre-countermeasured wiper motor, go to step 19.
^ If you're installing a countermeasured wiper motor, go to step 20.
19. Only if you're reinstalling a pre-countermeasured wiper motor: Install a wiper motor cover:
^ Slip the cover over the connector end of the wiper motor.
^ Position the cover over the end of the wiper motor case, then snap it into place.
^ Make sure the locking tabs on the bottom of the cover are securely fastened.
20. Move the wiper link back to the park position you marked in step 7, then reinstall the wiper linkage assembly on the cowl. Tighten the four wiper linkage assembly bolts to 9.8 N.m (7.2 lb-ft).
21. Attach the wire harness to the wiper linkage assembly, then press down firmly on the wiper motor cover as you connect the wiper motor 5P connector.
NOTE:
To prevent a soft-set condition, make sure the 5P connector clicks into position.
22. Cycle the wipers one time to get the motor and the linkage into the park position.
23. Lubricate the moving parts of the wiper linkage with multipurpose grease.
24. Reinstall the remaining parts in the reverse order of removal. Note these items:
^ Torque the windshield wiper arm nuts to 30 N.m (22 lb-ft).
^ Replace any damaged cowl cover clips.
25. Make sure the wiper motor and the wiper arms work correctly.
26. Center-punch a completion mark above the 13th character of the engine compartment VIN.
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