We've got a 2008 focus and the windscreen wipers randomly decided to stop working after a long dry spell. 

Checked the fuse and it's fine, bought a replacement wiper motor from ebay and still no joy. 

Checked the voltages and earth coming from the plug for the motor and they seem to be fine, could the replacement ebay motor be faulty and we were just unlucky? 

Edited October 29, 2025Oct 29 by Beardy_smalls
Forgot additional photos

Have you tried putting a voltage supply directly into the wiper motor connector to see if it works? That would help identify if it’s a car or parts issue?

The wiper motor relays are built into the Passenger Junction Box (PJB), I believe in some cases you can get corrosion on the connectors due to water leaks - this could be worth checking too. 

1 hour ago, troy45 said:

Have you tried putting a voltage supply directly into the wiper motor connector to see if it works? That would help identify if it’s a car or parts issue?

The wiper motor relays are built into the Passenger Junction Box (PJB), I believe in some cases you can get corrosion on the connectors due to water leaks - this could be worth checking too. 

Thanks.

 

If I understand correctly, you're saying try a direct 12v line from the battery to the wiper motor instead of from the socket that plugs into the motor? I'll try that but the voltmeter is reading power coming from the socket, so plugging it in should result in the same as a direct supply? 

 

I'll check the pjb (that's the fuse box under the dash passenger side right?) I've checked the fuse there once so will check the relay tomorrow. 

Unless your car battery is almost flat those voltages are far too low.

You either have a fault with the GEM or high resistance in the wiring. I would suggest you check the connectors of the GEM and look for signs of water ingress and or corrosion of the socket pins.

9 hours ago, unofix said:

Unless your car battery is almost flat those voltages are far too low.

You either a fault with the GEM or high resistance in the wiring. I would suggest you check the connectors of the GEM and look for signs of water ingress and or corrosion of the socket pins.

@unofix thanks.

I'll check the connectors. Just found a good video by a Dutch chap doing exactly this and even saying what he did wrong so to avoid it. After this that will be the limit of my capability and it'll be sent to the garage, not something I want to do this expensive time of year, the primary car is in for mot Friday and can't have both effectively off the road if there's any issues there... 

@unofix

Checked the connectors to the GEM, there was some signs of corrosion so used contact cleaner, that didn't fix the issue. Removed the GEM and took the casing apart and found significant corrosion on the circuit board itself, tried cleaning as much off as possible but no change, without the software, connectors and knowing how to program a replacement Its unfortunately going to have to go to my local garage. 

Thanks for showing where the problem is though, saves time in the garage diagnosing the problem first. 

1 hour ago, Beardy_smalls said:

without the software, connectors and knowing how to program a replacement Its unfortunately going to have to go to my local garage. 

Hi Chris,

there is a possibility this could end up being not cost effective to repair unless you try and do it yourself.

You will need a second hand replacement GEM of the 'exact' same part number (only the last letter can be different). You will need the software FORScan and vLinker FS cable and an internet connection.

The AsBuilt data to programme the replacement GEM should be available for automatic download using FORScan from the Ford servers.

Using a garage could well see you with a bill of a £1000 or more !!

20 minutes ago, unofix said:

Hi Chris,

there is a possibility this could end up being not cost effective to repair unless you try and do it yourself.

Using a garage could well see you with a bill of a £1000 or more !!

@unofixSh*t. Thanks anyway, been ringing local garages and they've either not been able to do it or have nearly 2-3 week wait. One chap said to look online for gem repair/programming and send it away as that's what nearly all of them round here would do anyway.

 

Just on the offchance, could it be the relay needs replacing on the board? It wasn't clicking to start with, after cleaning the contacts it was clicking but still no movement on the wipers, after cleaning the board itself it wasn't clicking again. 

It's unlikely to be the relay. More the chance that the control of the relay is damaged, tracks on the circuit board corroded or even the connections just corroded away.

You could try looking online for an Auto-Electrician who could possibly do the work needed. Electrical problems like this is something that most garages are not very good at.

@unofix found a company/someone online that can do it for 200 including a new module with a quick turnaround. Thanks for all the help. 

Supposedly a GEM with the exact same part number, from a car of the exact same spec may work without needing programming. 

Can anyone say for certain if that is true? I believe I read that on here. 

43 minutes ago, AntonovAN12 said:

Supposedly a GEM with the exact same part number, from a car of the exact same spec may work without needing programming. 

That would depend on the Ford Model and the year.

The PATS security system on many models stores the key transponder information in the GEM or BCM and so the vehicle would not be able to start because the replacement would not have the PATS code. 

I should have added in my post that I read that is the case for the Mk2 Focus. 

I know where a near identical car to mine is in a breakers. This reminds me I should have taken the GEM from that one to keep as a spare.