Buy Ford Crown Victoria Windshield Wiper Motors

The wiper motor is a small electric engine that turns electrical power into the torque that sweeps the arms and blades across the glass, keeping rain, sleet, and bugs from blocking a driver's view (Sontian Motor, YouTube). In 2003-2011 Crown Vics the motor houses an integrated control board that also times the intermittent (delay) cycle (Reddit).

Ford built the Crown Victoria from model-year 1992 through 2011, with the second-generation car (1998-2011) sharing most under-hood parts-including the wiper motor-with its Panther-platform cousins, the Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Car (Wikipedia, Wikipedia). This interchangeability makes finding the right replacement easier because the same unit bolts up across those models.

• Stop-and-go wipes: The blades stall mid-stroke or run only on "high." This often means overheated internal brushes or a cracked control board (Reddit).
• Noisy squeal or grind: Worn gears or dry linkage bushings inside the motor housing (ancowipers.com).
• Blown fuse #2 or #6 (year-dependent): A shorted motor can overload the 30-amp fuse in the Crown Vic's under-dash box (Fuse Box, StartMyCar).
• Motor runs but arms don't move: The drive shaft spline or crank arm may be stripped.

1. Check fuses first. Use the interactive fuse diagram to find the correct slot, then test with a 12-volt tester .
2. Listen for the motor. If it hums but blades stay still, look for a loose crank arm nut (10 mm) under the cowl panel.
3. Scan for water intrusion. A wet control board is common; a dab of dielectric grease on the connector helps seal it (Reddit).
4. Watch the linkage. Have a helper switch the stalk while you observe linkage movement in the cowl from the service opening shown in this video walk-through .

Removing the motor takes about an hour for beginners:

1. Disconnect the battery.
2. Pop off both wiper arms and lift the plastic cowl.
3. Unplug the three-wire connector and remove three 8 mm bolts holding the motor to the firewall (JustAnswer).
4. Transfer the crank arm to the new unit (use paint marks so the timing stays correct).
5. Reinstall in reverse order and test before re-fitting the cowl.

A detailed step-by-step is shown in this how-to video for visual reference .

The motor feeds off a 30 A fuse plus a wiper relay on most 1998-2011 cars. The exact cavity number changes by year, so always cross-check the owner's manual or the year-specific tables at StartMyCar . Ground problems at G200 (right kick-panel) are a hidden culprit-clean the lug and retighten.

• Keep blades lifted only in deep-freeze forecasts; high winds can bend the arm and overload the motor (Southern Living).
• Clear ice by warming the windshield first-never force the blades.
• Lube pivot joints yearly with silicone spray to quiet squeaks and lower electrical load (ancowipers.com).
• If blades chatter, a quick alignment trick using a small staple as shown by a car-care educator can smooth them without spending money (The Sun).

A federal recall (campaign 00V136) covered certain 1999-2000 Crown Victorias for a control module that could overheat and stop the wipers in heavy snow (Cars.com, Kbb.com). Owners can still run a free VIN check at the official NHTSA recall portal to see if any open actions remain . Always address recall work before installing an aftermarket motor.

Some drivers swap in the heavy-duty police-interceptor motor for extra torque; it bolts in but draws a bit more current, so verify fuse rating first. Builders also retrofit pulse-wipe controllers inspired by Bob Kearns' intermittent-wiper patent fight with Ford, a story that changed auto electronics forever (The New Yorker).

Old motors contain copper windings and steel gears. Most city recycling centers accept them as e-scrap-call ahead for rules and drop-off hours.

• A healthy motor sweeps the blades about 60 times per minute on "low."
• At 12 volts it pulls roughly 3-5 amps when clean and up to 10 amps in heavy slush.
• The unit is usually stamped "F7AZ-17508-AA" or similar Ford part codes, showing its late-1990s design heritage.

Q: What size socket removes the motor bolts?
A: An 8-mm or 5⁄16-inch socket fits most factory bolts (JustAnswer).

Q: Can I drive if my wiper motor dies during a storm?
A: It is unsafe; visibility is a legal requirement. Pull over until the rain stops or get towed.

Q: Does the Crown Vic use a separate washer pump?
A: Yes. The washer pump is mounted in the washer bottle and is not part of the wiper motor assembly.

Q: Why do my blades park in the middle of the glass after I shut them off?
A: The park cam in the motor gear train is mis-timed or the crank arm was re-installed a turn off. Remove the arm, set blades at the bottom edge, and re-secure.

Q: How much does a replacement usually cost?
A: A shop job averages $232-$400 including parts and labor, while a DIY'er who already has tools may spend only for the motor itself (YourMechanic).

Q: Which fuse powers the wiper motor on a 2006 model?
A: Fuse #6 in the under-dash box (30 A) feeds the motor and relay (Fuse Box).

Q: Are there recalls on later models?
A: Only the early-2000 control-module recall (00V136) affects Crown Vics; newer Ford-wide wiper-motor recalls do not list the Panther platform (Cars.com, glassbytes.com).

Q: What amperage should I see on a multimeter?
A: Around 3 A on a wet windshield; anything over 8 A in normal rain suggests binding linkage.

Q: Will a Grand Marquis motor fit my 2009 Crown Vic Police Interceptor?
A: Yes, 2003-2011 Grand Marquis and Town Car motors share the same mounting and plug pattern (Wikipedia).

Q: How long should the motor last?
A: Many owners report 150,000-plus miles if the linkage stays greased and the blades aren't run on dry glass (Reddit).