Female in dear need of car knowldege help!

[Neri D.]

Hi Everyone....

I am a female owner of a wonderful Matrix 2004. Love it and am very happy with it. However, I feel like I lose my wallet anytime I go for maintenance or repairs. Most recently I need to replace my back windshield wiper motor or so I was told - is this something I could do myself (of course after reading how to - or is it something that defintiely I need someone with knowledge do it. Is $250+ motor (in Toronto, Canada) a fair price to pay?

Any help with this, I will really appreciate it....willing to do it myself if possible but as you might suspect, I don't have a clue about cars, other than the gas pedal.

[MR2Jedi]

Hey Neri,
I moved your thread from the intro section to the Matrix section where these cool and knowledgeable people can better help you.
Good Luck.
Welcome to ToyotaNation

[96paseo]

Hello Neri and welcome to TN. If your looking to get into DIY items on your car, a Haynes or Chilton manual is a good place to start. The beginning of the book has a lot of general knowledge to help get you started. Don't be overwhelmed by it either. Being detail oriented and having the right tools will get you through any repair or maintenance work. The manual will recommend what kind of tools you will need for the type of maintenance you intend to do. As for the cost of the wiper motor, I found one for less than $100.

http://catalog.autopartsgiant.com/Sh...+Pumps&mode=PA

Look for part #43-2049. Its a reman and its pretty cheap. You get the core $$ back when you return the old one. Altogether, its less than $100. Good luck.

[roadrunner2]

Neri,
You were simply told you needed a rear window motor? Does it not work at all? Perhaps the power wire connection has corroded and you don't need a motor.

The 2004 Corolla Matrix owners manual doesn't have any info on the rear wiper motor, and neither does the Haynes repair manual I'm sitting here looking at.

I guess they figured it will never quit.

I have an '04 Matrix too, the XR model.

FWIW and FYI, a wiper arm can be bought at CDN Tire. It's a #11A.

I don't know if they sell wiper motors for these vehicles there or not.

A check with an auto recycler may produce a working motor that will fit.

As far as removing and changing the wiper motor, it looks to me you have to remove the lock nut on the outside (under the cover at the base of the wiper arm), remove the wiper arm and then remove the hatch panel and remove the motor from there. But that's just MHO.

The front and rear washer fluid is supplied from the main washer fluid reservoir.

[camryvibe]

If you do need a new motor then the $60 reman. one from AutoPartsGiant is probably the way to go. This isn't a part that will get all that much use so I wouldn't be concerned about getting a brand new one. What are the symptoms? Did it just suddenly stop working altogether or is there still some movement?

Also check the electrical connector that you can see if you open just the rear window glass (not the entire hatch). The rear wiper on our '06 Pontiac Vibe (same car as the Matrix) didn't always operate when we first got it and it turned out that connector had been damaged at the factory. Got it replaced under warranty and it's been fine ever since. That and one backup light bulb have been the only maintenance issues to date.

In addition to advice here you might also try the forums at matrixowners.com and www.genvibe.com.

[Kanata_Matrix]

Your best bet if you need a rear windshield motor is call any local yunk yard , ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/03-04-05-06-Corol...ts_Accessories
http://cgi.ebay.ca/03-04-05-06-Corol...ts_Accessories

Since you in Toronto there are many Matrix guys there and I am sure some of them willing to help you to install the motor. Not that hard. Have you try this site: www.matrixowners.com? And check out Toronto forum in that site. Good luck.

[Neri D.]

Thanks all for your feedback and resource information. My thoughts about the problem matches your comments. The wiper moves when i turn on the car and try it on....so motor is not completely dead. However, someone mentioned about potentially being an electical problem and wonder if that's the case as before snow, the washer fluid was taking too long to make it to the rear.....but then again....I have a big imagination....but I will try some of the links above and take it from there....it doesn't sound as it's brain surgery to change motor so I will give it a try, given that it is not the brakes I'm fixing

Thanks again to all for your input.

[Corolla_reps]

^^somtimes when it comes to the fluid getting into the rear it takes a while because of the cold winter we have here in Toronto....but if you really think your windshiled motor is done check out www.matrixowners.com definitely you will get a lot of help....and people also sells stuff there for Matrix part out check it out very well recommended...