How to Remove the Windshield Wiper Motor From a 1986 S-10

Chevrolet launched a revolution in small pickups by ditching its Isuzu-built LUV compact truck after 1982 and replacing it with the Chevrolet-built S-10. The 1986 model year was key in the S-10s early history, as it saw the well-known Iron-Duke engine Chevrolets 2.5-liter four-cylinder become its standard engine and fuel injection added to its 2.8-liter V-6. Both changes brought significant horsepower increases to the S-10: a 10 horsepower for the base engine and 15 for the V-6. Replacing the 1986 S-10s wiper motor requires removing the cowl to disconnect the linkage.

Instructions

Removal

1

Lift up one wiper blade off the windshield, and place a roughly 3-inch-long strip of masking tape onto the windshield, directly under the rubber part of the wiper blade. Lower the blade onto the tape. Draw a line on the tape with a pen by tracing the rubber part of the blade. Repeat this step on the other wiper blade. This allows you to align the wiper arms correctly on reinstallation.

2

Position a 6-inch pry bar under where the wiper arm connects to the wiper linkage output shaft. Pull upward on the pry bar to disengage the wiper arm retaining spring and pull the wiper arm upward to remove it. Repeat this step on the other wiper arm to remove it.

3

Remove the screws securing the front windshield cowl with a Phillips screwdriver. Remove the cowl retaining bolts with a ratchet and socket, and pull the cowl off the truck.

4

Pull the washer hose from the inlet on the cowl screen the plastic component under where the cowl was. Pull the cowl screen off the truck.

5

Press and hold the unlocking button on the wiper motor wiring harness, and pull the harness from the receptacle on the wiper motor.

6

Look on the rear of the wiper motor to find the motors output arm the arm that the wiper linkage connects to. Loosen, but dont remove, the two nuts securing the wiper linkage-to-output arm bracket with a ratchet and socket. Pull the bracket upward, so it clears the mounting ball on the output arm, and pull the wiper linkage off the output arm.

7

Remove the wiper motor retaining bolts with a ratchet and socket. Pivot the motor upward and lean the motor toward the front of the truck to free its output arm, then remove the motor.

Installation

8

Hold the new motor, so its output arm faces downward. Guide the output arm into its hole and pivot the wiper motor counterclockwise until its bolt holes line up with those on the S-10s firewall. Hand-thread the wiper motor bolts. Tighten the wiper motor bolts with a ratchet and socket.

9

Guide the wiper linkage onto the ball on the wiper motors output shaft. Tighten the wiper linkage-to-output arm bracket nuts with a ratchet and socket to secure it.

10

Plug the wiring harness into the receptacle on the wiper motor.

11

Set the cowl screen back onto the pickup and press the washer fluid hose back into its receptacle on the cowl screen. Position the cowl back over the cowl screen. Tighten its two retaining bolts with a ratchet and socket, and its two retaining screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

12

Place one wiper blade on the wiper linkage output shaft and line up the wiper blade with the alignment mark on the piece of masking tape on the windshield. Push downward on the base of the wiper arm until you hear its retaining spring snap into place on the wiper linkage output shaft. Lift the wiper blade and pull the tape from the windshield. Repeat this step on the other wiper arm.