Why Are Your Windshield Wipers Not Working & How To Fix Them?

Often, windshield wipers not working during rainy or foggy weather can cause serious problems. Because if wipers do not work in rainy or foggy conditions, it may reduce your visibility, and you will have problems in driving. Windshield wipers are components used to clean the windshield of a vehicle. But sometimes windshield wipers stop working completely.

So let us tell you in detail about the reasons related to windshield wiper 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, blown fuse, bad wiper motor, Torn wiper blades, or loose pivot joint.

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 or Torn Wipers Blades

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. Mechanism System 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 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 Windshield Wipers Not Working?

If your vehicle’s windshield wipers are not working, the first thing you need to do to fix it is to investigate the cause and ensure that the problem lies with the electrical system or mechanical parts causing interference. After this, you can work on fixing it.

But keep in mind that if you are not experienced in this, then you should get it checked and resolved by a professional vehicle technician. But for your information, you can follow the steps given below to fix it.

• 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.

Windshield Wipers Are Not Working But Motor is Running

This happens if the windshield wipers are not running but the motor is running. When the mechanism system of the windshield wiper fails. Many times, the motor shaft gear becomes free or slips, rendering the linkage road unable to pull or push.

But sometimes the wiper mechanism system gets jammed due to debris or the bolt at the base of the wiper blade becomes loose, due to which the wiper does not move but the wiper motor is working properly.

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.

Below you are given some frequently asked questions related to windshield wipers not working, which will be helpful in fulfilling your query and making this article useful content.