atb40022.fm

Service Bulletin

CUSTOMER INFORMATION:

The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,

and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume

this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an

authorized Honda automobile dealer.

July 17, 2008

08-043

Applies To: 2003 Accord 4-door – ALL

Safety Recall: Windshield Wiper Motor Does Not Work

(Supersedes 08-043, dated June 17, 2008, to update the information marked by the black bars)

BACKGROUND

A breather port on the windshield wiper motor vents

warm air from the wiper motor during operation. If

water enters the breather port, it can cause wiper

motor corrosion that could make the motor stop

working. A non-operating wiper motor increases the

risk of a crash in certain conditions.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

Owners of affected vehicles have received a

notification of this campaign. An example of the

customer notification is at the end of this service

bulletin.

Not all vehicles within the affected VIN range have a

wiper motor problem. To verify vehicle eligibility, you

must check at least one of these items:

• The customer has a notification letter.

• The vehicle is shown as eligible on a VIN status

inquiry.

In addition, check for a punch mark above the 13th

character of the engine compartment VIN. A punch

mark in that location means this campaign has already

been completed.

Some vehicles affected by this campaign may be in

your used vehicle inventory. You should not sell or

lease these vehicles until they have been repaired.

Should an unrepaired vehicle cause an injury or

damage because of the recalled item, the dealership

will be solely responsible to the damaged party, and

will be required to defend and indemnify American

Honda for any resulting claims. To see if a vehicle is

affected by this campaign, do a VIN status inquiry

before selling or leasing it.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Inspect the windshield wiper motor and, depending on

its condition, install a wiper motor kit or a wiper motor

cover kit. If a countermeasured wiper motor is already

installed, neither kit is needed.

PARTS INFORMATION

Wiper Motor Kit:

P/N: 06760-SDA-A00, H/C 9027137

(Includes a wiper motor and clips for the cowl

cover)

Wiper Motor Cover Kit:

P/N 06761-SDA-A00, H/C 9027160

(Includes a cover for the wiper motor and clips for

the cowl cover)

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

Failed Part: P/N 76505-SDA-A01

H/C 7146368

Defect Code: 5XW00

Symptom Code: Q7800

Skill Level: Repair Technician

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and turn on the

wipers:

• If the wipers work, go to step 3.

• If the wipers don’t work, go to step 2.

2. Install a new wiper motor from the wiper motor kit:

NOTE: Torque the windshield wiper arm nuts to

30 N

m (22 lb-ft), and replace any damaged cowl

cover clips. To avoid cracking the windshield, do

not allow the wiper linkage assembly or any tools to

contact the bottom edge of the windshield.

• Refer to page 22-253 of the 2003–2007 Accord

Service Manual, or

• Online, enter keyword WIPE and select

Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement from

the list.

Once you replace the wiper motor, go to step 25.

OP# Description FRT

7401C6 Inspect the wiper motor, and install a

wiper motor cover kit.

0.7

7401C7 Inspect the wiper motor, and/or install a

wiper motor kit.

0.7

2 of 6 08-043

3. Remove the windshield wiper arms:

NOTE: Do not use a screwdriver to remove the

cowl cover. Any tool that contacts the bottom edge

of the windshield could cause the windshield to

crack.

• Refer to steps 1 and 2 on page 22-253 of the

2003–2007 Accord Service Manual, or

• Online, enter keyword WIPE, select Windshield

Wiper Motor Replacement from the list, and do

only steps 1 and 2 of that procedure.

4. Check the part number on the wiper motor:

• If the part number ends with A020, a

countermeasured wiper motor is already

installed; go to step 24.

• If the part number ends with A011, if you cannot

read the part number, or if there is no part

number, go to step 5.

5. Disconnect the wiper motor 5P connector, and

detach the wire harness from the wiper linkage.

6. Remove the wiper linkage assembly from the cowl

(four bolts).

7. Scribe a line across the link and the wiper linkage

to mark the original park position of the wipers.

8. Remove the wiper motor from the wiper linkage

(one center nut and three outside bolts).

9. Look at the breather port on the wiper motor:

• If the breather port has a splash rib around it, a

countermeasured wiper motor is already

installed. Go to step 15.

• If there is no splash rib around the breather port,

the wiper motor is a pre-countermeasured part.

Go to step 10.

PRE-COUNTERMEASURED

COUNTERMEASURED

WIPER LINKAGE

ASSEMBLY

BOLTS

9.8 N

m (7.2 lb-ft)

WIPER

MOTOR

COWL

5P CONNECTOR

OUTSIDE BOLTS

8 N

m (6 lb-ft)

SCRIBED LINE

WIPER

LINKS

WIPER MOTOR

CENTER NUT

31 N

m (23 lb-ft)

SPLASH RIB

12.5 mm

BREATHER HOLE

SPLASH RIB

COUNTERMEASURED

PRE-COUNTERMEASURED

8.0 mm

BREATHER HOLE

08-043 3 of 6

10. Look for rust or cobwebs in the breather port:

• If the breather port is clean, go to step 11.

• If you see any rust or cobwebs, you’ll be

installing a wiper motor kit (wiper motor and cowl

clips); go to step 15.

11. Clean the surface of the wiper motor case and the

sealing area between the motor case and gear

housing with a shop towel.

12. Loosen the two wiper motor screws 3 turns.

NOTE: Do not remove the motor case from the

gear housing (the screws come out after only 5

turns). If you remove the motor case, you could

change the position of the magnets inside, causing

the motor to run backwards.

13. With the screws still loose, slightly pull the case

away from the housing and look inside:

NOTE:

On VINs beginning with JHM, there’s a butyl seal

between the motor case and the gear housing. To

look inside the case, carefully cut through the butyl

all the way around the housing with a utility knife,

then slightly separate the two halves.

On VINs beginning with 1HG or 3HG, there’s an

O-ring between the motor case and the gear

housing. To look inside the case, slightly separate

the two halves.

• If the inside of the case looks clean, go to

step 14.

• If you see any corrosion, mineral deposits, or

water inside the case, you’ll be installing a wiper

motor kit (wiper motor and cowl clips); go to

step 15.

Check for rust or cobwebs.

GEAR

HOUSING

BREATHER PORT

MOTOR

CASE

WIPER MOTOR SCREWS

(Don’t loosen them more than 3 turns.)

INSIDE OF CASE IS CLEAN

(Install cover kit only. Do not install motor kit.)

INSIDE OF CASE IS CORRODED

(Install motor kit only. Do not install cover kit.)

4 of 6 08-043

14. On VINs beginning with JHM, retighten the two

motor case screws. (You don’t need to apply new

sealer to the case; the existing butyl will seal the

case.) This wiper motor will be reused; go to

step 15.

On VINs beginning with 1HG or 3HG, check the

condition of the O-ring between the case and the

housing:

• If the O-ring is smooth and flat all the way around

the housing, the wiper motor will be reused;

tighten the two motor case screws, then go to

step 15.

• If the O-ring is pinched and/or rolled, you’ll be

installing a wiper motor kit (wiper motor and cowl

clips); go to step 15.

15. Place the original or the countermeasured wiper

motor in its park position by connecting the 5P

connector to the wiper motor and cycling the wiper

switch one time.

16. Install the wiper motor onto the wiper linkage using

its three outside bolts. Torque the bolts to

8 N

m (6 lb-ft).

17. Move the wiper link into the park position you

marked in step 7, then tighten the wiper motor

center nut just enough to seat its lock washer.

18. Move the linkage until you can fit an adjustable

wrench on the wiper arm link, then hold the link with

the adjustable wrench while torquing the center nut

to 31 N

m (23 lb-ft).

• If you’re reinstalling a pre-countermeasured

wiper motor, go to step 19.

• If you’re installing a countermeasured wiper

motor, go to step 20.

GOOD

O-ring is smooth and flat.

NO GOOD

O-ring is pinched and/or rolled.

WRENCH

CENTER NUT

(Tighten it just enough

to seat the washer.)

WIPER LINK

MARK

(made in step 7)

Hold the link while you tighten the nut.

31 N

m (23 lb-ft)

08-043 5 of 6

19. Only if you’re reinstalling a pre-countermeasured

wiper motor: Install a wiper motor cover:

• Slip the cover over the connector end of the

wiper motor.

• Position the cover over the end of the wiper

motor case, then snap it into place.

• Make sure the locking tabs on the bottom of the

cover are securely fastened.

20. Move the wiper link back to the park position you

marked in step 7, then reinstall the wiper linkage

assembly on the cowl. Tighten the four wiper

linkage assembly bolts to 9.8 N

m (7.2 lb-ft).

21. Attach the wire harness to the wiper linkage

assembly, then press down firmly on the wiper

motor cover as you connect the wiper motor 5P

connector.

NOTE: To prevent a soft-set condition, make sure

the 5P connector clicks into position.

22. Cycle the wipers one time to get the motor and the

linkage into the park position.

23. Lubricate the moving parts of the wiper linkage with

multipurpose grease.

24. Reinstall the remaining parts in the reverse order of

removal. Note these items:

• Torque the windshield wiper arm nuts to

30 N

m (22 lb-ft).

• Replace any damaged cowl cover clips.

25. Make sure the wiper motor and the wiper arms

work correctly.

26. Center-punch a completion mark above the 13th

character of the engine compartment VIN.

Summer 2008

Safety Recall: Windshield Wipers

May Stop Working

Dear Accord Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the

requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle

Safety Act.

What is the reason for this notice?

Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has decided that a defect relating

to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2003 model year

Accord vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper

motor housing, corrosion can occur, which may cause the

electrical circuit breaker to fail. If the circuit breaker fails,

the windshield wiper motor could become inoperative,

increasing the risk of a crash in certain conditions.

What should you do?

Call any authorized Honda dealer and make an

appointment to have your vehicle repaired. The dealer will

inspect the windshield wiper motor and repair or replace it

as needed, free of charge. Please plan to leave your

vehicle for half a day to allow the dealer flexibility in

scheduling.

WIPER MOTOR COVER

WIPER MOTOR CONNECTOR

WIPER MOTOR COVER

Press the cover into place.

END OF WIPER MOTOR CASE

LOCKING TABS

Example of Customer Letter

Center-punch here.

1HGCM5XXXXXXXXXXX

6 of 6 08-043

Who to contact if you experience problems.

If you are not satisfied with the service you receive from

your Honda dealer, you may write to:

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Honda Automobile Customer Service

Mail Stop 500-2N-7A

1919 Torrance Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90501-2746

If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has

failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle,

without charge, within a reasonable period of time (60

days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair

appointment), you may submit a complaint to:

Administrator

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.

Washington, DC 20590

You can also call the toll-free Safety Hotline at

(888) 327-4236 (TTY [800] 424-9153), or go to

http://www.safercar.gov.

What to do if you feel this notice is in error.

Our records show that you are the current owner of a

2003 Accord potentially affected by this campaign. If this

is not the case, or the name/address information is not

correct, please fill out and return the enclosed, postage-

paid Information Change Card. We will then update our

records.

Lessor information.

Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving this

recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the

lessee within 10 days.

If you have questions.

If you have any questions about this notice, or need

assistance with locating a Honda dealer, please call

Honda Automobile Customer Service at (800) 999-1009.

We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign may

cause you.

Sincerely,

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Honda Automobile Division