I was driving down the road and my windshield wipers just stopped working on my '98 Civic dx. I figured it would be a fuse. Everything else electrical seems to work. Fuse is ok and either way I can hear the motor turning on high speed. There is a much louder grumbling noise that has come up now and I have no idea what it is. I think the wiper stopping is a secondary effect of the other mysterious issue. The belts are turning normally. Any suggestions

Do you know what a wiring diagram is ? A wiring diagram for your vehicles windshield wipers electrical circuit would show all components involved . You would need a wiring diagram for testing ,so you know which wires too test . It would show the fuse location - amperage etc.... Which of these is your vehicle - Notchback or hatchback or station wagon .

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Service Information
2008 Holden Viva ' Optra, Viva (VIN J) Service Manual ' Body Systems ' Wipers and Washers ' Schematic and Routing Diagrams ' Document ID: 1964803
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Wiper/Washer Schematics
Figure 1: Wiper System - Notchback
Figure 2: Wiper System hatchback and Station Wagon
Figure 3: Wiper System Hatchback and Station Wagon w/Intermittent
Figure 4: Wiper System Notchback w/Rain Sensor
Figure 5: Wiper System Hatchback and Station Wagon w/Rain Sensor
Figure 6: Wiper System Hatchback and Station Wagon w/Intermittent and Rain Sensor
© 2019 General Motors Corporation. All rights reserved.

The fuse would be marked WPR fuse # 9 25 amp. located in the IP fuse panel . IP - instrument panel fuse box . It's location is
Fuse Block - I/P
Behind the left side of the I/P access panel
Windshield Wiper System
The windshield wiper system consists of a wiper motor, a linkage, a wiper arm and a blade, and a wiper/washer switch. The windshield wiper circuit incorporates a self parking device which consists of a worm gear and a cam plate in order to keep the circuit engaged temporarily when the switch is turned off. The wiper system is driven by a permanent magnet-type motor. The windshield wiper motor is mounted on the dash panel and is directly connected to the windshield wiper linkage.
The windshield wiper motor has 2 speeds, LO and HI, and also has intermittent wiper capability. The wiper switch is an integral part of the wiper/washer switch. Windshield wiper operation is actuated through the lever on the right side of the steering column.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvXX3Xg3siM

the wiper fuses / relays are in the top left of the fusebox

You can either remove the motor, which will let the wiper transmission move freely to the down position. Or remove the wiper arms from the pivots. You do not want to try and force the arms down while the motor is attached as this will just bend the transmission arms and cause you a great head ache.

dig out the 'something' and check your fuses, it probably popped the lighter fuse and one of the pcm fuses

For the Honda civic 2006, a 24 inch windshield wiper is needed for the passenger side and 28 inch windshield is needed for the driver side.------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELM 327 1.5V USB CAN-BUS Scanner

I am sure if u replace the wiper switch it will cure the headlight issue as well.

Check yoour fuse box located on the left side lower portion of the dashboard. You should find the label mark wiper remove the fuse and make sure to replace it with same watts of fuse which you can find a spare also on your fuse box labeled spare. If you can find it in your interior fuse box you can try also the fuse box located at the engine bay mine is located on the left side. Goodluck.

try grounding the wipermotor housing.

check the rear wiper fuse in the fuse box or check the motor is connected correctly to the plug or check the motor earthing is well tightened to the chassis

i just had the same problem with my f 150 ( 1999), my wipers, washer fluid pump, dome light, door chime stopped, I went thur the manuals, Checked appropated fuses, even changed wiper motor, (nothing worked) out of much internet checking, talking to mechanics, I got frustrated, I started pulling all the fuses under the dash,, I pulled # 15 ,a 5 amp fuse, which has nothing to do with the wipers eletronics, it was a good fuse, when i put it back in, everything came back and working fine. nearest i can figure it was either loose or a dirty contact.

#15 fuse (5 amps) on my box is for : stop lamp switch,( speed control,brake shift interlock,ABS, pcm module inputs.gem module,RABS test connector)
this was just blind luck, maybe it will help you.