DIY- X5 Rear Wiper Motor diagnostics and Replacement

[edco]

In the beginning, and for some unknown reason other than possession by demons, I tried backing my X into my garage with the top hatch open. OK. No hate mail cause I "brain fart" sometimes

I posted here about 2 weeks ago, and promised I would do a write with some pix, so here I go.

Diagnostics: Wiper assembly flopping when touched from outside, not returning to correct rest state, stuttering over glass. When you remove it, you will see that all (my case) or some of the tabs that hold the bushings are broken. These are indicated by yellow circles below.


The mount is actually a round brass-colored metal flange insert sandwiching a rubber grommet.



Sorry for the blurry pic, but this is what you find when the bracket breaks and leaves the motor dangling.



Remove and Replace
Step 1: Do NOT start by removing the wiper blade, nut and washer.

Step 2: Remove the courtesy lights in the top hatch part (hereto referred to as THP)

Step 3: Remove the two "obvious screws" and the two hidden behind the courtesy light bevel(s).



Step 4: With a plastic interior removal tool ( or a large blade wrapped with a towel so it doesn't scratch the plastic, start at the bottom and begin "popping" the cover out of the THP)

Step 5: Gently pop the 2 side pillar covers where the tab of the THP cover slides underneath. It actually connects via clip to the side pieces.
Note be EXTRA careful with the clips that go into the side pillar covers. I only disconnected the left side and let it hang, and they break really easy.


Step 6: Remove the motor by first detaching the power cable (very easy, grab and pull) and removing the 3 T30 (Torx in case you didn't know) bolts holding it to the THP.


Step 7: If all three brackets are not broken, this would be the time to remove the plastic circular cap/cover, the bolt and washer underneath, and then the entire blade assembly (pic below after test).

Step 4: Throw out the old motor and position the new motor is the logical place (It's hard to screw this up, just push the motor stalk through the hole and it will all line up)


Step 5: Reinstall the 3 T30 Torx bolts to tightly secure the motor to the THP. (I don't know the torque. Make it TIGHT)

Step 6: Reinstall the power cable (it's a bunch of wires with a block on the end)

Step 7: Reinstall on the stalk coming through the glass - first the wiper blade assembly, washer, then the nut, then the black plastic decorative circular cover. Blade should be on the same horizontal angle as the bottom of the glass.

Step 8: Insert the two sides of the TPH lower back cover into the side pillar covers.

Step 9: Resist the urge to bang, punch or otherwise slap the clips into place. Instead make sure none of them are compressed or flattened, line up the bottom and pop in with the palm of your hand.

Step 10: Reinstall 4 screws (two obvious and two where the courtesy light bezels go), grab left and right side courtesy light assembly and push the electric connectors back on, press the courtesy lights back into their home by letting the bezel click into place. There is also a black plastic plate with a cover that needs to go back into its home.

Test: Spray Windex or water on the glass and test by turning ignitition to pos 1 and starting the rear wiper. Do not wipe dry glass.

Note that white pain you see around the cover of the stalk perfectly matches the trim above my garage door. (FYI)



You are done !

Good luck and I hope this helps someone...

Special thanks to Ricardo (for the part) and Civdiv99 (for his valuable input)!

ed in NJ