The motor that drives the front windscreen wipers on my 1997 Fiat Punto is broken. I am thinking of fitting the new one myself - how much of the car do I have to take apart to do that - and is it at all possible`?

Peter, February 2005

Replacing the windscreen wiper motor is quite easy. Disconnect the battery, then remove the wiper arms, then the black plastic panel, then the wiper motor wiring connector plug, then the bolts holding the wiper operating rod / motor assembly, then remove the whole assembly from the car. On the work bench, remove and replace the motor (second hand ones are about £25 - new ones are about £100!!!) Reverse the procedure ensuring that the wiper parking positin is correct. It may be possible to repair the old motor as the fault is most likely worn out brushes (cheap) if this is all there is wrong.

Dave Treacher, October 2005