Instructions to Change the Wiper Motor on a 1999 Neon

Chrysler Corporation introduced the Dodge and Plymouth Neon in 1995. The 1999 Dodge Neon came equipped with a 2.0-liter SOHC in-line four-cylinder engine in the base model. An optional 2.0-liter DOHC engine was available in the Highline and Competition models. The wiper motor on the 1999 Neon is beneath the wiper cowl, located at the base of the windshield. Replacing the wiper motor requires removing and installing several parts of the Neon and should be performed by someone with previous mechanical experience.

Instructions

1

Trace the angle the windshield wipers are sitting on the windshield, using a white crayon or window marker. It is important to install the wipers in the same position in which they come off the vehicle. If the wiper motor broke with the wipers in the upward position, disregard this step.

2

Remove the circular caps from the lower ends of the wipers, using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the nuts holding the wipers in place on the lower ends, with a ratchet and a deep well socket. Push downward slightly on the spring-loaded hinges of the wipers, while simultaneously pulling the lower ends off of wipers upward off their splines. Use a small prying tool to assist you if you need leverage on the lower ends of the wipers. Remove both wipers from the car completely, then set them out of your work area.

3

Raise the hood and set the hood prop. Remove the plastic cowl and rear hood seal mounting screws with a Torx bit hand driver, or a flat-head screwdriver if the cowl is held by plastic locking tabs. Remove the rubber seal and the plastic hood cowl from the engine compartment, and set them away from your work area.

4

Disconnect the electrical connector from the wiper motor by hand. Remove the ground strap bolts with a ratchet and socket set. You may need to insert an extension between the ratchet and socket to reach the bolts. Remove the ground strap from the motor completely. You can detach the ground strap from the body panel by simply pulling it free from the panel, if the strap hinders the removal of the motor.

5

Remove the nut that holds the wiper linkage onto the motor, with a ratchet and socket. Remove the linkage from the motor. Remove the motor mounting bolts with the ratchet, socket and extension. Remove the wiper motor from the car.

6

Install the new motor and motor mounting bolts. Tighten the motor mounting bolts between 45 and 55 inch-pounds with a 3/8-inch drive torque wrench, extension and socket. Install the wiper transmission onto the new motor, and tighten the mounting nut between 96 and 108 inch-pounds with the torque wrench and socket.

7

Install and tighten the wiper module mounting screws between 60 and 80 inch-pounds. Install the electrical connector onto the new wiper motor. Push the electrical connector tab back into the hole in the body panel, to lock it in place. Install the ground strap and tighten the bolts of the ground strap between 60 to 80 inch-pounds, using the torque wrench and socket.

8

Install the wiper cowl back onto the Neon, and tighten any fasteners snug. If the cowl was held on by locking tabs, simply use the handle of a screwdriver to push them down into position. Install the rubber rear hood seal over the metal lip, in front of the cowl, by hand. Shut the hood when you are finished.

9

Install the wiper arms back onto the Neon. Make sure the arms line up with the lines you traced on the windshield. Tighten both wiper arm mounting nuts between 168 and 180 inch-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Install the circular caps back onto the lower ends of the wiper arms. Lift the wipers so that they are facing vertically. The arms will lock in this position, as this is the position used for changing your wiper blades.

10

Scrape the crayon lines, or window marker lines off of the windshield, using a razor blade or box cutter blade. Clean the windshield with solvent and a towel, as needed.