5 Reasons Your Car’s Windshield Wiper is Not Working

It’s raining and your car’s windshield wipers are not working! What can you do? Windshield wipers may fail to work for many reasons. Knowing these reasons will help you diagnose what’s wrong with your windshield wipers, read on to find out about the five most common causes of windshield wipers not working, and how you can fix them.

Broken Wiper Blade

The most common reason windshield wipers don’t work is when the blades fails, usually due to wear and tear. If this happens, you’ll notice that your wipers gradually stop working as the blade becomes stuck in the gap between windshield wiper arm and lens. In order to fix this issue, you’ll need to replace your broken wiper blade with a new one.

Defective Wiper Arm

Another common issue that causes windshield wipers not to work is when the arm that holds the blade breaks. This can happen if the arm is too weak or if it’s defective in some way. If this happens, rain will splash onto your windshield and you’ll have to manually move your wiper arms up and down to clean it off. In order to fix this issue, you’ll need to replace your broken wiper arm with a new one or repair/replace the motor on your wiper unit.

Dirty Wipers

Just like your car’s windshield, your wiper blades need to be clean in order for them to work properly. If the area between the blade and arm is filled with dust, pollen, or other chunks of debris, it can cause the wipers not to function properly. To clean your wipers, use a cloth dampened with water and rubbing alcohol.

Low Water Levels

One of the most common causes of windshield wipers not working is when there are low water levels in your wiper reservoir. This happens when you don’t refill your reservoir regularly enough or if there’s something blocking the water distribution tube. If this is the case, you’ll need to refill your reservoir, clear the distribution tube and replace the water pump on your wiper unit.

Broken Wiper Cord

If the cord that connects your wiper arms to the motor is broken, it will not send power to the blades and they will not move. And if the fuse that is connected to power the wiper motor is cut, it won’t send current. In order to fix this issue, you’ll need to replace the cord, the fuse and motor on your wiper unit.

In case your wiper is not working properly, there are numerous reasons that can range from a simple minor repair to something serious. Hence, it is important to check the wipers thoroughly in order to get the best outcome. In case you face any further issues or have some additional tips and tricks on how to fix your car’s wiper in an emergency situation, feel free to leave a comment below!

About Nonso Okafor

I've worked as a technical support representative in major auto centers in Nigeria for more than twenty years. I have dealt with a variety of problems in my capacity as a customer service representative and auto diagnostics expert. I'm committed to assisting people in properly maintaining their automobiles and in appreciating this magnificent innovation known as an automobile.

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