Windshield wipers dont work
Causes & Solutions
DIY: Find the source of the fault and fix it yourself!
Are your car windshield wipers defective or not working properly?
In most cases, the cause is a blown windshield wiper motor or a jammed linkage.
Nevertheless, we present five other sources of error that you should consider. Here we explain step by step how to diagnose faulty windshield wipers and repair them with little effort. This guide will save you a visit to the garage and a lot of money.
1) A blown fuse
Symptoms
If nothing happens when the steering column lever is operated and no noise is heard, the fuse may be blown. A blown fuse means that the entire system is no longer receiving power. This means the clicking of the relay and the whirring of the wiper motor do not occur.
Causes
The fuse prevents the circuit from being overloaded. An overload is caused by a short circuit or excessive current consumption. In most cases, however, the cause is a Greater mechanical load of the wiper arms (e.g. in snow in winter).
Solution for blown fuse
The location of the fuse box depends on the car model. On most makes of car, it is located either:
Each box has a Backup plan. This shows you which fuse is responsible for the wiper motor. In most cases, this is a 15-25A fuse. When you find the right fuse, pull it out and hold it up to the light. If the wire in the middle is interrupted or has disappeared, the fuse has blown. An alternative solution is to check for Passage with the multimeter on. Replace the blown fuse with a new one that has the same amperage.
Cost of new fuse
The price of a new fuse can generally be overlooked. However, we recommend a Set with different ampere strengths to keep in the car. The set does not take up much space and is used very frequently! The cost of a set is limited and depends on the number and design. We work with this set here:
2) Windshield wiper linkage jammed
Symptoms
- Wipe interval not fluid
Sluggish or stuttering wipe intervals are signs of a problem with the wiper linkage.
Caution: Sluggish or stuttering wiping intervals or blocking of the wiping process are also symptoms of a defective wiper motor. Always check these two sources of error.
- Squeaking noises from the engine compartment:
Sometimes an immobile or old wiper linkage can be heard. If squeaking noises come from the engine compartment during the wiping process, this may be a Sign of insufficiently lubricated linkage be.
- Unnatural movement of the wiper arms
If you want to test the you hear the whirring of the wiper motor and the wiper arms move only minimally or not at allthe linkage is most likely broken.
The same applies if one wiper arm is moving and the other is not working.
Causes
The metal linkage is constantly exposed to forces due to its structure with the movable axles and its function. Weathering and age themselves can be the main cause of a stiff or broken linkage.
Solutions for jammed windshield wiper linkage
If the windshield wipers are working and you just want to eliminate the annoying squeaking or faltering, lubrication with grease is usually sufficient. Attention WD50 is not a grease.
If the problem does not disappear after lubrication, we recommend replacing the linkage.
If the linkage is broken or deformed, you will have no choice but to replace it.
To save you unnecessary workshop costs, we have developed a
Step-by-step instructions Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement written.
Although the instructions are intended for changing the windshield wiper motor, you must first work on the linkage.
In this article, we explain how you can do the conversion yourself at home without too much effort.
Cost of windshield wiper linkage
When changing the linkage, the costs increase minimally.
Compared to the workshop, however, these are only a tiny fraction.
The offers for the linkage depend on the car model and the quality. Approx. 20€ - 80€ new.
With wiper motor it is approx. 70€ to 150€.
However, the expenses for this repair are limited to in the best case only on the lubricant:
- Scope of delivery: 6 x 250 ml NIGIRN multi-purpose grease
- Has an extremely wear-reducing effect
- Provides long-lasting lubrication for engine and machine parts, especially high-speed rolling and...
- Protects against corrosion, wear and premature ageing
3) Windshield wiper motor defective
Symptoms
- No function despite "clicking" (relay noise)
Of course, a complete failure of the system can also indicate a burnt-out wiper motor. If the The relay clicks, but nothing happens at the frontthen the problem is more likely to be a broken motor.
- A hard knocking from the engine compartment
Another sign of a defective windscreen wiper motor is when a Disturbing rattling from the engine compartment during the wiping process can be heard. This is not a squeaking noise (which would rather indicate the linkage) but a real knocking sound. This means that the motor does not manage to set the linkage in motion.
- Blocking the wiper arms
It is also possible that the wiper arms stop (block) during the wiping process. This is due to a defective contact in the wiper motor itself. The shaft blocks and the wipers get stuck.
Causes
The most common cause of a defective windscreen wiper motor is the Operating the wiper while the wiper arms are frozen in winter. As a result, the motor cannot continue to turn and eventually burns out.
Solutions Defective windshield wiper motor
Replace the windshield wiper motor. There is the already mentioned:
Step-by-step instructions Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement
The purpose of this guide is to save you from excessive workshop costs. You can carry out this repair easily and without great effort and tools at home.
Windshield wiper motor costs
Offers depending on car model & quality approx. 50€ - 140€ new (is sometimes cheaper in combination with rods).
4) Windshield wiper control (function)
5) Windshield wiper relay broken
Symptoms
- The clicking of the relay fails
If nothing moves when the lever is actuated and there is No rattling from the footwellthe relay is defective. (If you have a relay, e.g. Golf 4)
Attention: Check beforehand whether the fuse is intact!
- Windshield wipers cannot be switched off
If the windscreen wipers can no longer be switched off, this is probably due to Scorched contacts in the relay.
Causes
The causes here are mainly limited to the life cycle of electronic devices. It is also possible that the relay was exposed to a higher current consumption.
Solutions for broken windshield wiper relays
In 90 % of the cases, the relay is either:
If the relay is located in the footwell, the plastic covers under the steering wheel must be removed. The relay you are looking for usually has "Wipe-wash interval" on the page. If the writing is faded, the Internet can help. With product photos of relays for your car, you can find out what the plug-in relay looks like. The appearance depends on the car manufacturer and model.
You do the same with a defective control unit, which theoretically takes over the function of the relay. The only difference is that the control unit is not pluggable and you have to remove the cables. The control unit is either:
Windshield wiper relay costs
Relay: Offers depending on car model & quality approx. 10€ - 35€
Control unit: 15€ – 50€
A control unit that is integrated in the steering column switch can also cost up to €150
6) Steering column switch / CIM module defective
You should consider this source of error at the end.
A broken steering column switch or a broken CIM module is rare. In most cases, one of the points mentioned above is the cause of defective windshield wipers.
To replace a steering column switch or a CIM module, you must carefully remove the steering wheel and the airbag.
You can determine whether you have a CIM module or a conventional steering column switch by looking at your indicators.
We will not go into the subject of the CIM module and steering column switch in detail in this article. Problems in this area are rather rare before. If you still need help with the CIM module or steering column switch, please contact us. You can use our contact form to get your problem solved individually. We will show you how to get this repair done without much effort.
A Reading out the fault memory usually helps. A diagnostic device or an app with an OBD adapter can show you whether a There is a problem with the CIM module.
7) Emergency solution for defective windshield wipers
If your windscreen wipers suddenly stop working and a car journey is unavoidable, we recommend a Rain deflector.
Of course, this is not a permanent solution and does not replace a functioning windshield wiper system. However, a rain deflector on the windshield can help when driving on the highway on a rainy day.
The rain deflector is applied by first applying the Smear the product onto a microfiber cloth. Thereupon spread them on your clean windshield. The sealant ensures that drops of water roll off the pane and thus provide a clear view.
- Cleans windows streak-free and prevents snow, ice, sleet, insects and splashes from sticking to...
- Technology that repels raindrops and causes water to bead up for better visibility in rainy weather
- Quick and easy application: simply spray on and wipe off, no polishing required
Note: Driving without a functioning windshield washer system is illegal and may result in penalties. In addition, we generally do not ask you not to visit the garage if the wiper system is broken.
Here we only try to support you with alternatives for which we cannot be held liable!
We hope we have helped you with our guide and look forward to supporting you with further repairs. Happy creating !
* Affiliate links are marked with a *. Nothing changes for you and the offer/price remains the same. You can find more information about affiliate links here.
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