Bullnose Bill Answer
by Ed

I need to replace the wiper motor on my F-150.

Can you give me instructions?
Bullnose Bill Answers Ford Truck Questions

Absolutely, replacing the wiper motor on a 1985 Ford F150 is a straightforward task if you follow these steps:

Tools and Materials Needed:

Safety glasses and gloves

New wiper motor

Socket set

Screwdriver set

Pliers

Penetrating oil (optional)

Instructions:
  1. Disconnect the Battery:
    • Always start by disconnecting the negative terminal of your battery to ensure safety while working on the electrical components.
  2. Remove the Wiper Arms:
    • Lift the wiper arms away from the windshield.
    • Use a small screwdriver to lift the tab at the base of each wiper arm, then carefully wiggle and remove the arms.
  3. Access the Wiper Motor:
    • Open the hood and locate the wiper motor on the firewall. It’s typically on the driver’s side.
  4. Remove the Cowl Panel:
    • Remove any screws or bolts securing the cowl panel (the panel just below the windshield).
    • Carefully lift off the cowl panel to expose the wiper motor and linkage.
  5. Disconnect the Wiper Linkage:
    • Use pliers or a small pry tool to disconnect the wiper linkage from the motor. Be careful not to damage the linkage or the motor arm.
  6. Remove the Wiper Motor:
    • Unplug the electrical connector from the wiper motor.
    • Remove the bolts or screws securing the motor to the firewall.
    • Carefully remove the motor from its mounting position.
  7. Install the New Wiper Motor:
    • Position the new wiper motor in place and secure it with bolts or screws.
    • Connect the electrical connector to the new motor.
  8. Reconnect the Wiper Linkage:
    • Reattach the wiper linkage to the motor arm. Make sure it’s securely connected.
  9. Reinstall the Cowl Panel:
    • Place the cowl panel back in position and secure it with screws or bolts.
  10. Reattach the Wiper Arms:
    • Place the wiper arms back onto their respective posts and ensure they’re securely attached.
  11. Reconnect the Battery:
    • Reconnect the negative terminal of your battery.
  12. Test the Wipers:
    • Turn on your ignition and test the wipers to ensure they’re functioning properly.

And that’s it! You should now have a fully functional wiper motor on your 1985 Ford F150. If you have any other questions or run into any issues, feel free to ask.

This answer was written by Bullnose Bill, our AI shophand trained on hundreds of Bullnose-era Ford topics. He knows his way around old Ford Trucks.

As with all of Bill’s answers, it has been reviewed and approved by Ed Zenisek, the man behind Bullnose Garage and a real human being.

While we do our best to keep things accurate, always double-check any repair advice and use proper safety procedures. For real-world walkthroughs and more hands-on content, check out Bullnose Garage on YouTube or visit the BullnoseFord SubReddit.

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