ericsan13

While washing my car yesterday, I pulled down the rear wiper. My dealership has down this before when changing the insert, so I thought it would be okay.

After I was done, I left the wiper in the down position and turned on the rear wiper to reset it. However the wiper goes to all sorts of weird positions and no longer works normally.

Is there a secret way to reset it back to original?

SteveCraig

How did you get into the down position ?
Turn it on with the engine running & stop engine just as it gets to the down position ?

ericsan13

I pulled it down by hand.

SteveCraig

You may have a wee problem.
See if you can get a wrench inside the spoiler & get the arm off the moving stud.
This has to be just enough to let the motor operate without moving the arm.
Cycle the motor & then reattach the arm.

Not sure what the motor & gears are constructed of but believe you are off a couple teeth from as built.
Hopefully you can get it back together without any harm.

ericsan13

Thanks Steve. I will give it a shot and report back.

Do you know how to remove the rear spoiler?

-Eric

SteveCraig

Have never attempted it, doesn't look fun. Large part of any removal is getting access to the fasteners. That may be another small project unto itself.
Here is an exploded view from Sewell's site:

http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...X350-2010.html

ericsan13

Just got back from the dealership to get it fixed. Only took 5 minutes...repairman tightened the bolt when the wiper was in the hidden position and that fixed it! No charge, and no need to take off the rear spoiler.

What must've happened is that when I pulled it down, it pulled the nut loose. Hope that helps anyone who runs into this issue in the future!

-Eric

RXSF

Good to hear. In the future just turn off the power when it reaches the bottom.

kitlz

Eric, you were very lucky. The method SteveCraig and RXSF mentioned is easier.

ericsan13

Yeah I was lucky, but every time I change the wiper at the Lexus dealership, they actually just pull it down. They do not power off to move the wiper down.

I must've loosened the nut when I forced it down.

kitlz

Well, the dealer would have to take responsibility if they break it. Personally I wouldn't recommend doing the same thing. It's not worth taking the chance of damaging the wiper arm or motor. I get the refills from Toyota (they're the same size as the Highlander) and replace them myself using the quick on/off way. Never have had an issue with a loose bolt or anything like that.

ericsan13

Yeah, I would definitely not recommend it either given my little scare.

I receive a $10 off $25 postcard for parts/accessories every quarter, which brings the cost of all three wiper refills to $17. The Lexus guys change it for me while I eat their cookies and drink espresso.

kitlz

Eat their cookies and drink espresso but take the refills home to change them yourself

RXSF

ugh, my dealer severely cut back on frills. Japanese rice crackers and trail mix is all I see

dat dude

Supposedly there are some dealers here in Canada that give free massages etc while you wait for your car. I'm surprised to see Lexus dealers cheap out in the U.S.