Hey guys so i have a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, and my drivers side windshield wiper doesn't work but my passenger side works perfectly fine. The drivers side tries to go up but just doesn't. I was told the linkage or the motor but i'm not 100% sure. Any ideas on what it could be?

 

Both wipers are connected to the same linkage, so when one works, the other should to. If one jams up, the other should do the same. Take the wipers off, followed the the grille under them. Check the linkage, see if the driver side is loose or broken.

BTW, should you turn the wipers on with the linkage exposed at any point for any reason, Do NOT stick your hand in the linkage with the wipers running.

 

Is it possible that the clip on the wiper arm isnt fully seated?

 

The wiper arms are splined, atleast they are on my 97. They are held on with a locking tab that is part of the wiper arm. When the arm is installed and the locking tab is pushed into place, it is captured by the arm itself. Its not going anywhere. If the tabs are locked into place, the wipers will be sitting a couple inches above the glass. Raise the arm away from the glass and use a flat screwdriver to pry the locking tab away from the arm, and pull the arm off.

The locking tabs dont affect the swing. The splines take care of that. If one wiper wont swing, check the linkage.

 

I believe the 99-01 has a nut that holds the arm tight on the splines. If it's loose, the arm may not move at all. At least that's how my WJ arms work. There is a nut cover that pulls off at the round section and swings open. The splines are more of a knurl than a spline. Not much holding the arm in place. If they are really tight, you need a battery terminal puller to get them off.

 

My 2000 is just the standard slide clip, no nut holding the arm tight.

 

Figures. I'm talking out my butt again. I just bought a 2000 XJ and haven't had the pleasure of screwing with the wiper arms yet. I was just relying on my experience with my 2000 WJ. My bad.