How to Change the Rear Wiper Motor on a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee was introduced in 1993 to compete with the Ford Explorer. The 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee is equipped with a 4.0-liter V-6 as the base engine. A 4.7-liter V-8 and a 4.7-liter supercharged V-8 were optional engines in both the two-wheel and four-wheel drive 2003 Grand Cherokee models. The 2003 Grand Cherokee is equipped with separate wiper control modules for the windshield and the back glass. The wiper control module includes the wiper motor and an electronic control module in one unit.

Instructions

1

Lift the base cover from the wiper arm using a flat-head screwdriver if needed. Remove the wiper arm mounting nut using a ratchet and socket. Lift the wiper slightly at the outer end, and pull it away form the rear glass and out of the holder. Pull the wiper arm off the Grand Cherokee. Use a battery terminal puller tool to remove the wiper arm if you cannot get the wiper arm off by hand. Open the rear tailgate of the Grand Cherokee.

2

Remove the nut cover from the outside of the tailgate. Remove the large pivot mounting nut from the tailgate using a ratchet and socket. Remove the gasket from beneath the nut, from the motor pivot.

3

Remove the center trim plate from the middle of the tailgate inner trim panel using a screwdriver if needed. Disconnect by hand the rear wiper module. Remove by hand the wiper module from the tailgate. Loosen the nuts on the top of the module, then slide the module forward until the nuts clear the key holes in the tailgate panel. Insert the new wiper module into the tailgate. Push the wiper pivot shaft through the tailgate mounting hole.

4

Make sure the pivot shaft is centered in the tailgate mounting hole by viewing it from the outside of the tailgate. Adjust the pivot by hand until it is centered. Install the gasket onto the pivot shaft. Install the large mounting nut on the outside end of the pivot and temporarily tighten it with your fingers. Double check that the pivot is center just before you tighten the nut, and make adjustments if needed. Tighten the larger mounting nut to 43 inch-pounds using a torque wrench and socket.

5

Raise the tailgate of the Jeep back upward. Tighten the upper wiper module mounting nuts inside the tailgate to 47 inch-pounds using a torque wrench and socket. Plug the electrical connector into the new wiper motor by hand. Install the smaller trim plate onto the inner tailgate trim panel by hand. Shut the tailgate. Step to the front of the Jeep, and turn the ignition key to the accessories position. Turn the rear wiper motor on, then back off. This resets the new wiper motor to the park position.

6

Bend the wiper arm so the wiper arm support is in the installation position. This is the position where the wiper arm support is turned outward, away from the back glass of the Jeep. Push the wiper arm onto the motor pivot using your hand. Push the arm support inward toward the back of the Jeep to ensure proper alignment with the wiper cradle. The wiper should be straight across on a horizontal plane. Pull the wiper off the pivot and make adjustments if needed.

7

Install the rear wiper mounting nut when the wiper is completely aligned. Tighten the nut to 13 foot-pounds with a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket. Push the pivot cover closed on the wiper mounting base when installation is complete.