My wipers are broken & I'm pretty sure it's the motor. I checked the relay & the switch, which leaves the motor or the wiring directly to/from the motor. Anyways I just picked up a new(good used) one for $10 & need to either replace it or check the wiring. The problem is that you have to pull off this cover that is basically glued to the windshield, and the weather is nothing like what I would like to be playing with glue, especially when I have no real access to a garage here. Do you guys know how much it would cost to have a mechanic do something like this?
How much do mechanics charge?
- Thread starter Scootin159
- Start date
Yes, we would know this. We know all. Including the names of your local shops, their phone numbers, how much they charge for labor per hour, price for parts, etc. We're a ... knowledge extravaganza.
Seriously.
Call someone. You're going to call someone anyway to find out for sure, so why not just skip this step.
WAIT! I'll give you an estimate. It's going to be $500 per wiper blade, $150 per wiper arm, $5,000 per wiper motor (there are two), and they're probably going to have to change your headlight fluid. Is Hallogen fluid okay?
Seriously.
Call someone. You're going to call someone anyway to find out for sure, so why not just skip this step.
WAIT! I'll give you an estimate. It's going to be $500 per wiper blade, $150 per wiper arm, $5,000 per wiper motor (there are two), and they're probably going to have to change your headlight fluid. Is Hallogen fluid okay?
Try giving up the year, make, and model first. Most wiper motors I have replaced on American cars has been between 1 to 2 hours. Now multiply that by the hourly rate of you local garage. Or better yet, call them and ask how much they would charge.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
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Judging by the price you paid for that wiper motor, you're not talking about the 944. (And if you are, major score on the part, the receipt for the replacement in the maintenance records that came with my 924S was a little more than $90.) A good mechanic in my area is $62.00 per hour.
ZV
ZV
Actually it was for the 944 & yes it was a serious score considering a new one costs about $180. Anyways if you guys are guessing about 2hrs work then I probably should do it myself, don't really have the cash for that kind of repair right now.
mechanics around here charge anywhere from $40-100/hour. i assume it's an equally broad spectrum elsewhere, since you have the one-man tinker shops up to the dealerships. i doubt any place will want to use the part you bought, though. with places around here, at least, most won't install third party parts. they want you to buy em through them so they can make some cash there too. GL
My labor charge is $62 an hour, what make/year is your vehicle ?
I'll look up the hours required to swap it out.
I'll look up the hours required to swap it out.
2.5 hours according to the labor manual.
62
x2.5
------
$155
In actuallity, I can swap that baby out in less than an hour, the reason for $60 plus shop rates, overhead, it costs a lot to keep the building up and the employees in house.
62
x2.5
------
$155
In actuallity, I can swap that baby out in less than an hour, the reason for $60 plus shop rates, overhead, it costs a lot to keep the building up and the employees in house.
Not to mention the fortune you guys spend on tools.
Anyways thanks for the info, but I think I'm just going to try & do it myself, despite it being 10* outside :-/. Maybe I can find a garage to play in...I hope.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
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Tools also never ask you if they look fat.
Scootin, when you put the new motor in, make sure that you get it to park the wipers properly. The wipers on my 924S (same wiper motor I think) don't park properly, and I'm pretty sure that it's an artifact from when the wiper motor was replaced. It's one of those things that I'll get to in the summer when I get under the car and clean all the electrical grounds, etc.
ZV
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Tools also never ask you if they look fat.
Scootin, when you put the new motor in, make sure that you get it to park the wipers properly. The wipers on my 924S (same wiper motor I think) don't park properly, and I'm pretty sure that it's an artifact from when the wiper motor was replaced. It's one of those things that I'll get to in the summer when I get under the car and clean all the electrical grounds, etc.
ZV
I actually got a whole assembly, so that shouldn't be a problem, but yeah, I'll be sure to get them working right.
Do you know how to re-attach that plastic cover on the back of the engine bay after I "peel" it off the windsheild (assuming I don't trash it in the process).
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
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Can't help you there, the cover bolts on in the 924S, no glue.Originally posted by: Scootin159
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Tools also never ask you if they look fat.
Scootin, when you put the new motor in, make sure that you get it to park the wipers properly. The wipers on my 924S (same wiper motor I think) don't park properly, and I'm pretty sure that it's an artifact from when the wiper motor was replaced. It's one of those things that I'll get to in the summer when I get under the car and clean all the electrical grounds, etc.
ZV
I actually got a whole assembly, so that shouldn't be a problem, but yeah, I'll be sure to get them working right.
Do you know how to re-attach that plastic cover on the back of the engine bay after I "peel" it off the windsheild (assuming I don't trash it in the process).
ZV
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Can't help you there, the cover bolts on in the 924S, no glue.Originally posted by: Scootin159
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Tools also never ask you if they look fat.
Scootin, when you put the new motor in, make sure that you get it to park the wipers properly. The wipers on my 924S (same wiper motor I think) don't park properly, and I'm pretty sure that it's an artifact from when the wiper motor was replaced. It's one of those things that I'll get to in the summer when I get under the car and clean all the electrical grounds, etc.
ZV
I actually got a whole assembly, so that shouldn't be a problem, but yeah, I'll be sure to get them working right.
Do you know how to re-attach that plastic cover on the back of the engine bay after I "peel" it off the windsheild (assuming I don't trash it in the process).
ZV
I almost wonder if it does on mine as well and if it got glued on when they replaced the windshield. Where are the bolts that hold it on in the 924S?
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
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Give me 15 minutes and I'll have a pic for you.Originally posted by: Scootin159
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Can't help you there, the cover bolts on in the 924S, no glue.Originally posted by: Scootin159
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Tools also never ask you if they look fat.
Scootin, when you put the new motor in, make sure that you get it to park the wipers properly. The wipers on my 924S (same wiper motor I think) don't park properly, and I'm pretty sure that it's an artifact from when the wiper motor was replaced. It's one of those things that I'll get to in the summer when I get under the car and clean all the electrical grounds, etc.
ZV
I actually got a whole assembly, so that shouldn't be a problem, but yeah, I'll be sure to get them working right.
Do you know how to re-attach that plastic cover on the back of the engine bay after I "peel" it off the windsheild (assuming I don't trash it in the process).
ZV
I almost wonder if it does on mine as well and if it got glued on when they replaced the windshield. Where are the bolts that hold it on in the 924S?
ZV
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Give me 15 minutes and I'll have a pic for you.Originally posted by: Scootin159
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Can't help you there, the cover bolts on in the 924S, no glue.Originally posted by: Scootin159
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Tools also never ask you if they look fat.
Scootin, when you put the new motor in, make sure that you get it to park the wipers properly. The wipers on my 924S (same wiper motor I think) don't park properly, and I'm pretty sure that it's an artifact from when the wiper motor was replaced. It's one of those things that I'll get to in the summer when I get under the car and clean all the electrical grounds, etc.
ZV
I actually got a whole assembly, so that shouldn't be a problem, but yeah, I'll be sure to get them working right.
Do you know how to re-attach that plastic cover on the back of the engine bay after I "peel" it off the windsheild (assuming I don't trash it in the process).
ZV
I almost wonder if it does on mine as well and if it got glued on when they replaced the windshield. Where are the bolts that hold it on in the 924S?
ZV
Wow, thanks!
mastertech01
Moderator Emeritus Elite Member
- Nov 13, 1999
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I hope the world doesnt have the impression that the mechanic/technician gets all that lovely money. The average tech probably makes about 15-25 dollars an hour with the majority under 20.00, and that is usually flat rate hour, which can be good when business is good, but bad when business is flat or dead. Many of us get no guarantee minimum hours so it can be a pretty thin living at times. The shop owner of course nets the bulk of the profit, minus overhead which can be substantial. And its the tech who pays for that load of tools sitting in his tool box as well as the box itself costing up to 10,000 dollars, some even higher. The tools in it can total 5000 to 25000 dollars as well. Its true you can write off your tool purchases on taxes, but if you dont make enough to file long form that doesnt make a damned bit of difference.
So when you think of what you pay to get your car repaired, try not to think of that guy turning the wrenches as someone who takes you for 60.00+ per hour, he is only the tool that the shop owner uses to accomplish that task. The tech is simply a skilled worker often under paid and with few benefits backing him up, who in many cases cant afford a nice car like the ones he works on every day. IMHO
So when you think of what you pay to get your car repaired, try not to think of that guy turning the wrenches as someone who takes you for 60.00+ per hour, he is only the tool that the shop owner uses to accomplish that task. The tech is simply a skilled worker often under paid and with few benefits backing him up, who in many cases cant afford a nice car like the ones he works on every day. IMHO
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
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OK, so it was a little more than 15 minutes, but here are the pics. Link. I think that the 924S has a different windshield though, since my windshield glass ends well before the wiper motor shield begins. If you want any clarification of the pics (eg, can't see something that you're looking for) just PM me and I'll try to get back to you.
Mastertech, the mechanics I'm talking about are 1 and 2 man operations, or at most 4 experts who are working jointly under the same roof. I'm well aware of the overhead involved (those Snap-On tools are very nice, but friggin expensive as all hell), and I agree 100% that the average junior tech at a dealership or such doesn't make much money. But the mechanics I prefer to deal with are the kind where the same guy who changed the oil is the owner of the shop and also is the guy ringing you up at the register.
ZV
Mastertech, the mechanics I'm talking about are 1 and 2 man operations, or at most 4 experts who are working jointly under the same roof. I'm well aware of the overhead involved (those Snap-On tools are very nice, but friggin expensive as all hell), and I agree 100% that the average junior tech at a dealership or such doesn't make much money. But the mechanics I prefer to deal with are the kind where the same guy who changed the oil is the owner of the shop and also is the guy ringing you up at the register.
ZV
Actually your whole wiper assembly looks different...which makes me wonder if I'm getting the right one. I'm like 90% certain that my motor is mounted perpendicular to the bottom of the windsheild, whereas yours is more at a 45. Anyways that whole area of the cars looks different as I have the whole fusebox/relay panel in that corner of the engine bay as well. I think I'm going to have to go take another look at it on a warmer day, might have a whole 924 wiper assembly on e-bay pretty soon though if that's the case. Thanks for the pics though.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
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Ulp. The pre-'85.5 944 and the 924S use the same ($190 new) wiper motor. The post-'85.5 944 and the 968 use a different ($320 new) wiper motor. Since you were saying that the person told you that the motor was $180 new, it seems as though you've got an early wiper motor. On the other hand, the way my wiper motor is sounding lately... I might have a buyer for you if it turns out that you do have the wrong motor.
ZV
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