Why Won’t My Windshield Wipers Work?

It can happen on occasion: you go to flip on your windshield wipers and they don’t move. If it’s a rainy or snowy day, it escalates the hassle, since it’s not safe to drive until the problem is fixed.

“Windshield wipers have to endure a lot of adverse weather conditions in order to maintain visibility in your car, so it’s perfectly normal for them to act up every once in a while,” says Duane “Doc” Watson, a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket.

One of most common causes of mechanical failure in windshield wipers is turning them on when there’s heavy snow or ice on the windshield. That can damage the wiper, arm, linkage or motor as they struggle to move. But, the problem could be due to something else, too.

The good news is it’s not too difficult to diagnose why your windshield wipers won’t work, and it’s likely a DIY repair.

The Most Common Reasons Wipers Quit Working

Windshield wipers that stop working are certainly frustrating, not to mention a safety concern. Knowing the most likely cause of the trouble is the first step toward a fix. With a basic understanding of how your wipers work, you can intelligently diagnose the problem.

Note that we are looking at causes and solutions for electrical wiper failure, when the wiper arms won’t move back and forth across the windshield. If the wipers move but smear the water instead of clearing the windshield, you need to replace the wiper blades.

Blown Fuse

This is the first and simplest thing to check. Ice and snow buildup or some other strain on the wiper blades may have overloaded the fuse and caused it to blow.

Find the fuse box in your vehicle by checking your owner’s manual or using a website like this. Find the fuse diagram for your vehicle, then locate the wiper fuse. Buy a replacement fuse of the correct amperage, then swap out the old one. If your wipers come back to life, a blown fuse was the problem.

• Cost of parts: About $10 for an assortment of 100 fuses.
• Cost of professional labor: $20 to $50.

Pulse Board Failure

If changing the fuse doesn’t solve the problem, the pulse board is the next thing to check. It’s an electronic circuit board, usually located in a plastic box under your hood. Do a Google search to find where it is on your vehicle and what it looks like. Buy a replacement board from a local auto parts store or online. Carefully replace the old board with the old one.

• Cost of pulse board: $25 to $100.
• Cost of professional labor: $50 to $200.

Control Switch Failure

Sometimes the on-off switch suffers an internal circuit failure. The entire switch is removable and replaceable on most vehicles. Order a replacement online or from your local auto parts store, making sure it’s an exact duplicate of the factory switch. Don’t try to replace the switch with a third-party substitute, because it probably won’t work properly. You want your windshield wipers and washer to work just like new.

• Cost of switch: $50 to $200.
• Cost of professional labor: $75 to $300.

Burned-Out Wiper Motor

If none of the three solutions above get your wipers working, there’s a good chance your wiper motor has failed. This can happen after lots of heavy use.

Order a replacement motor for your specific vehicle make and model from an online vehicle parts store. Wiper motors are always located under the hood, but the procedure for removing the bad one and installing the new one varies by vehicle. Check your owner’s manual or watch a YouTube tutorial for specific directions.

• Cost of motor: $35 to $250.
• Cost of professional labor: $100 to $300.

Now your windshield wipers should be moving back and forth perfectly.

FAQ

Is it safe to drive with faulty wipers?

Not really, because a dirty or wet windshield impairs your vision, and damaged wipers can scratch your glass. It’s also illegal to operate a vehicle with faulty wipers.

“If your wipers start acting up, it’s best to replace them as soon as possible,” says Watson. “You can get away with chancing a quick trip here and there in daylight, especially if that quick trip is to pick up some replacement wipers. But avoid traveling long distances and driving at night.”

How often should I replace my windshield wipers?

It depends on the quality of the wiper, but most last between six months and two years. A snowy climate or lots of sunny UV exposure can also cause them to wear out faster.

“A little fact, using Rain-X washer fluid can make the glass slicker, and it can lube the rubber wiper, making it last a little longer,” says Chris “Moose” Pyle, an automotive expert with JustAnswer.

About the Experts

• Chris “Moose” Pyle is a master-certified technician with 20-plus years of automotive experience. He has also worked as an expert for JustAnswer since 2006, where he answers hundreds of car maintenance and repair questions a day.
• Duane “Doc” Watson is a technical trainer at Bosch Mobility Aftermarket. He has more than 45 years of experience in automotive repair, has trained thousands of technicians and earned many industry awards, including Chevrolet Technician of the Year and Buick Service Master of the Year.