Often, windshield wipers not working during rainy or foggy weather can be a serious problem. A windshield wiper in vehicles is an electronic and mechanical device used to clean the front windshield of vehicles. The speed of the wiper is controlled by the driver from inside the vehicle, as per the requirement.
But sometimes windshield wipers stop working completely or keep getting stuck. Sometimes the wiper nozzles do not spray fluid.
Through this post, you will learn in detail about the reasons related to the windshield wiper and fluid spray nozzle not working, so that you will be able to inspect and solve it by knowing these reasons.
Why Your Windshield Wipers Not Working?
If your vehicle’s windshield wipers are not working, possible causes could be a faulty switch or wiring, a blown fuse, a bad wiper motor, damaged wiper blades, a faulty wiper motor, or broken wiper linkage. Additionally, blockage or debris on the wiper blade or wiper arm mechanism may also interfere with its functioning.
Reasons of Windshield Wipers Not Working
- Damage Wipers Blade Rubber
- Defective Wipers Control Switch
- Blown Fuse or Damage Wiring
- Windshield Wipers Getting Stuck or Jammed
- Faulty Windshield Wipers Motor
- Debris Stuck in Windshield Wiper Mechanism
Let us take a detailed look at the reasons behind windshield wiper not working, so that you can check it in case of emergency and troubleshoot it in case of any minor problem.
1. Damage Wipers Blade Rubber
Often, you run the wiper on the windshield of your car or any other vehicle when needed. But wipers are not able to clean the windshield properly, and water droplets or any other kind of debris on the windshield is not completely cleared. This happens due to the rubber rubbing on the wiper blades of the windshield.
2. Defective Wipers Control Switch
Every vehicle with a windshield has a control switch to operate the windshield wipers. This is where the windshield wiper is switched on or off and the left-right speed of the wiper is managed by this control switch. This control switch is an electronic device.
But these control switches become unable to function properly over time due to wear and tear or some other fault, due to which the windshield wipers do not work or it is difficult to reduce or increase the speed of the wiper.
3. Blown Fuse or Damage Wiring
The windshield wiper is an electronic component. In which there is a 12 volt DC electric motor and this electric motor is powered by the battery.
But sometimes, for some reason, the supply of DC current in the electric motor gets interrupted. The main reason for this is the blown fuse in the electric motor of the windshield wiper or the damage to any wire.
Due to which the windshield wipers do not work. To diagnose this type of problem, the fault in the power supply of the windshield wiper motor has to be inspected.
4. Windshield Wipers Getting Stuck or Jammed
Windshield wiper consists of a set of mechanical gears coupled with an electric motor, by which the wiper does left and right movement.
But sometimes due to corrosion in the mechanical gears parts of the windshield wiper or due to non-operation of the windshield wiper for a long time, this mechanical system gets stuck or jammed.
Due to this, the electric motor of the windshield wiper does not run even when power is given. This could also be the reason for the windshield wipers not working.
5. Faulty Windshield Wipers Motor
An electronic motor operates the windshield wipers. In which the 12 volt DC current of the battery flows. But sometimes there is some kind of fault in the motor of the windshield wiper or for some reason the bearings of the motor of the windshield wiper break.
Due to this, the electric motor of the wiper gets jammed and when continuous power is given to the jammed motor, this motor blows up. Due to which the windshield wipers become unable to work.
How To Fix Bad Windshield Wipers?
- Check the rubber of the windshield wiper blades. If the rubber is cracked, replace the wiper blade with a new one.
- Get the faulty windshield wiper control switch repaired or replaced.
- Check the windshield wiper wire and fuse, replace a bad wire or blown fuse.
- Inspect the windshield wiper mechanism. If the wiper mechanism is jammed, then try to open it or replace it with a new one.
- Inspect the windshield motor. If the motor is defective, get the wiper motor repaired or replaced with a new one.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace Windshield Wipers?
Replacing windshield wipers yourself or having a professional mechanic replace them can affect the cost substantially.
That’s because a professional mechanic can charge you $15 to $25 to replace a windshield wiper, while a single blade of windshield wipers can cost $20 to $30.
If you replace both windshield wiper blades yourself, Then you only pay for the windshield wiper blades instead of the mechanic’s labor costs. Both windshield wiper blades can cost $40 to $60.
Windshield Wipers Motor Replacement Cost
On average, windshield wiper motor replacement costs can range from $120 to $190, and mechanic labor costs to replace a windshield wiper motor can range from $100 to $150.
However, to some extent, the cost of replacing a windshield wiper motor depends on the vehicle model and the mechanic’s labor costs.
FAQ’s
Q. What could be causing my windshield wipers to stop working?
The main reason for the windshield wipers not working can be a short or complete failure of the wiper electric motor. Also, the wiper motor wire may be damaged or the fuse may have blown.
Q. How much does it cost to replace a windshield wiper motor?
The cost to replace a windshield wiper motor can range from $220 to $340, including the labor cost of a mechanic.
Banty is the owner of Autorepairszone.com & is also a vehicle mechanic by profession. We have almost 12 years of experience in the field of automotive repair, and we strive to provide you with accurate information about vehicle malfunctions and repairs based on our experience.