2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER WIPER LINKAGE

[cangaffer]

Hi...I need some help....my 2001 pathfinder wiper linkage went down...I ordered a new one and have been trying to do the repair. Had to cut a hole in the metal above the linkage bolt to access it to remove. My question is, when reattaching the new linkage l plate do you need a lock washer? And if so which side of the plate does the lock washer go onto? I hate to give up but as reaching out for help. To clarify the spinning motor is first...what is the order of attachments after...is it lock washer, l plate then nut? Thanks in advance...Bob from Toronto.

[mdmellott]

I've been looking at the wiper assembly components layout on a dealership website but do not see any lock washers or what you are referring to as a "l plate". However, not all the detail may be shown. Normally (I can't think of any exceptions), lock washers and nuts go on together. So, in your case it would be l-plate, lock washer, then the nut.

[cangaffer]

thanks for the response...I did manage to get the linkage to work finally...now my problem is that the wipers end position when not using them is in the middle of the windshield...not at the bottom...any thoughts?

[Rogue One]

Topic moved to Pathfinder Forum.

[mdmellott]

If the wipers stop in the position they are in right at the moment when the wiper switch is turned off and fail to park, check for a good ground on the connector side at the motor. With an ohmmeter connected between any of the black wire terminals and a known ground, resistance should be less than 5 ohms.

[mdmellott]

If there are wiring issues, the Nissan Field Service Manual for this related issue can help.
https://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Pathfinder/2001/el.pdf
If the wipers won't retract below the hood line, check for mechanical obstructions in the wiper linkage or on the vehicle's body that would prevent the wipers from parking. If the are no obstructions, check the wiring between the switch and the motor for continuity. If the wiring is OK, the wiper motor may be in need of replacement.

[cangaffer]

Thanks for your help...I will try those solutions...there are no obstructions or the wipers wouldn't cycle through....is there a catch on the wiper linkage that brings the wipers to the correct home position? Could it be the wiper relay?

[mdmellott]

I don't think it's a relay problem. There is no catch on the wiper linkage that brings the wipers to the home position. It's all electrical contact controlled. The FSM states: "When wiper arms reach base of windshield, front wiper motor terminals 2 and 4 are connected instead of terminals 2 and 6. Wiper motor will then stop wiper arms at the PARK position."

[Mike W.]

Knowing how some cars work, but not Nissans specifically, I'll mention this.

If you removed an arm from the wiper motor, which would drive the linkage and the wipers, you probably didn't get it back on in the right spot. The park function is typically built into the motor assy. If applicable, remove the arm from the wiper motor, let it cycle thru without anything attached, then with the wipers at the park position, attach the linkage. Test it with the wipers in the raised position just to be careful in case I'm full of it.

[cangaffer]

Thanks Mike...I will try that and let you know...Cheers...

[GRNMACHINE]

Hello Bob, what timing. I just went through this however I ended up sending the Dorman transmission/linkage back and ordering the link rod I needed from Courtesy Nissan. Im guessing your replacement is the Dorman part? I couldnt find much info on this via the forums but it looks like you also had to cut a hole under the cowl where the manuals say an "access cover" would be... Anyway, in order to get the wipers in the correct position I cycled the wipers off and then on with the wipers off. The wiper motor moves the pivot arm to the off postion and then you can reattatch the wipers towards the bottom of the windshield. Not sure if that helps or not. That was actually the easiest part of the repair. There are some good youtube videos explaining that process. What none of them showed was that access panel (the Frontier video had an access panel.

[cangaffer]

Hey...so the repair is finally done...I had to cut a square hole in the metal above the linkage bolt to get access....after many attempts I managed to get the bolt off with a rachet and remove the old linkage and install the new one...when that was done the new linkage worked but then the wipers would end up in the middle of the windshield in the "park" position. After some guidance from this forum I removed the linkage again, let the wiper motor cycle through in hopes that the park position would be at the bottom of the windshield..no luck...I scratched my head and decided to try disconnecting the battery, reconnecting, taking the linkage off again, cycling the wipers and voila, the park position settled at the bottom...thanks to all the people who chimed in to help...I appreciated it. Hopefully the next person who has the same problem will read my post and not pay some garage 600 bucks to fix it...cheers.