Q: How do you check and troubleshoot wiper motor issues on 1996 through 2002 Toyota 4Runner?
A: If the wipers operate slowly, check the battery charge and condition if the battery is in good condition then disconnect the wiper motor and manually operating the wiper arms, check the linkage and pivots for any bind and grease or repair them before re installing the motor. If the wipers still move slow, then inspect the connections for loose or corroded contact points, especially the ground connection; if all connections are fine, replace the motor. In the event the wipers do not operate when switched on, there is a defect in the fuse; if the fuse is intact, join one end of a jumper wire to the wiper motor and the other to the ground and retry. If the motor works, correct the ground issue; otherwise, remove the electrical connector from the motor and check the voltage level. If there is no voltage across the switch, then test it for continuity; if there is voltage across the motor, test the motor. To get to terminals of a rear wiper motor on 4Runner models, it is necessary to remove the liftgate trim panel. For T100 and Tacoma models, connect the positive terminal of the battery to terminal 3 and the negative to the motor body; ensure that the motor moves at low speed; switch the positive lead to terminal 2 and it should move at high speed. Open circuit terminal 3 while actively employing low speeds, short terminals 3 and 5, connect the positive lead to terminal 6 in order to ensure the motor stops at its stop position. If the motor is not functioning properly, then this motor has to be replaced. For the Tacoma models produced in 1998, it is advisable to perform the test fast in order not to overheat the coil. Touch terminal 5 with the positive terminal of the battery and terminal 4 or the body of the motor to check that the speed is low, then connect the positive terminal to terminal 3 to check for high speed. Perform the same on other terminals while making sure that the motor comes to the stop position. If the motor does not operate then it needs to be replaced. Employ jumper cables, attach the positive terminal of the battery to the terminal 1 and the negative terminal to the terminal 3, confirm if the motor rotates in a clockwise manner, and reverse the cables for the counterclockwise rotation. Test continuity between two specified terminals depending on the position of the motor link, replace the rear motor if it does not run. For removal, unfasten cowl, then unplug the electrical connector at the front wiper motor, undo the mounting bolts, take out the motor in conjunction with the lever arm and detach this from the wiper link. To remove the wiper linkage, unscrew the cowl bolts and pull the cowl through the vent hole and to replace it, do the reverse process. On the 4Runner models, the rear wiper motor can be accessed by removing the nut at the bottom of the wiper arm and flipping up the cover, then accessing the wiper motor through the lift gate by pulling out the trim panel and service hole cover, then removing the retaining bolts, and unplugging the electrical connector before lifting the wiper motor out of the vehicle and the reverse process for the installation.