1. Disconnect the Battery:
- Locate the battery in your Mazda 626 and disconnect the negative (black) terminal using a wrench or suitable tool. This will prevent any electrical accidents while working on the wiper motor.
2. Remove the Wiper Arms:
- Lift the hood and locate the wiper arms.
- Using a wrench, loosen the nuts or bolts that secure the wiper arms to the wiper spindles.
- Once loosened, remove the wiper arms by gently lifting them off the spindles.
3. Remove the Cowl Cover:
- Underneath the wiper arms, you will see the cowl cover.
- Use a screwdriver or suitable pry tool to gently release the clips or screws holding the cowl cover in place.
- Remove the cowl cover by carefully lifting it off.
4. Locate the Wiper Motor:
- Once the cowl cover is removed, you will be able to see the wiper motor.
- It's usually located on the driver's side, mounted on a bracket near the firewall.
5. Disconnect the Wiper Motor Connector:
- Disconnect the electrical connector from the wiper motor by squeezing the release tab and gently pulling it out.
6. Remove the Wiper Motor:
- Loosen the nuts or bolts that secure the wiper motor to the bracket.
- Once the mounting hardware is removed, carefully remove the wiper motor by lifting it out.
7. Replace the Wiper Motor:
- Insert the new wiper motor into the bracket and align the mounting holes.
- Secure the wiper motor using the nuts or bolts you removed earlier.
8. Reconnect the Wiper Motor Connector:
- Reconnect the electrical connector that you disconnected earlier. Make sure it's firmly seated.
9. Reinstall the Cowl Cover:
- Carefully place the cowl cover back onto the vehicle and secure it using the clips or screws you removed earlier.
10. Reinstall the Wiper Arms:
- Reinstall the wiper arms by placing them back onto the wiper spindles and securing them with the nuts or bolts you removed.
11. Test the Wiper Motor:
- Reconnect the battery's negative terminal.
- Turn on the ignition and test the wiper motor by activating the windshield wipers. Ensure that they're working properly.
12. Final Check:
- Perform a final check to ensure that the wiper motor is securely mounted, all the connections are in place, and the wipers are functioning correctly.
After completing these steps, the wiper motor on your 2001 Mazda 626 should be successfully replaced.
