How come my front windshield wipers wont work

Check to see if there is power to the wiper motor. The motor may be bad or there may not be power to it.

Hi,

The wiper linkage came apart. To access it, you need to remove the cowl at the bottom of the windshield (outside). If you open the hood, you will see the screws holding it on. Also, you will need to remove the wiper blades/arms.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Joe

Check wiper motor.

Welcome to the world of complicated, unreliable, unnecessary computers. First check all the fuses under the hood and under the dash behind the brake pedal. The fuses by the brake pedal are notorious for falling out onto your ankle. The lights and wipers are run by the Body Control Module, a computer. It is tucked up against the firewall, plugged into that fuse box by the brake pedal. Once it is removed, there is no way to troubleshoot it while powered up.

Inoperative wipers is a common failure in the computer, but often they will run for three cycles when you press the washer button. Some people run a switch from the wiper relay to make them work in one speed rather than replace the computer. First, check fuse number 9, a 30 amp under the hood in the Power Distribution Center.

Which lights do not work? Fuse number 6, a 40 amp under the hood runs the parking lamp relay, and fuse number 19, a 20 amp, runs the signal flasher. Inside, in the junction block, fuses number 1, 4, and 12 involve computer-controlled outside lights. The only lights that don't involve a computer are the license lamp and the center high-mounted brake lamps. The body computer runs the headlamps through low and high-beam relays and four separate fuses, and it is not likely all four fuses are blown.

The instrument cluster illumination lights are computer-controlled, but the fuse shown in the diagram is turned off with the ignition switch so it cannot be the lamps fuse. It would appear those lamps run off the same fuse as the wiper switch.

Before you tear into the body computer, recheck all the fuses inside and under the hood. If fuse number 9 is blown, suspect a shorted wiper motor. One of the contacts overheats and melts into the plastic gear it rides against. The next time you turn it on, the contact bends and is pushed up where it shorts against the metal cover plate, blowing the fuse.

If the lights you are referring to are the instrument cluster lights not coming to life when you turn on the ignition switch, suspect a defective ignition switch. The contacts overheat and melt into the plastic, or the connector melts from overheated terminals. The circuit usually affected is for part of the instrument cluster, power windows, wipers, and the radio. This is more common when the heater fan is used in "high" very often.

Caradiodoc

Hi, if you just turn on the wiper, no wash, do the wipers work okay? I cannot be sure about your make and model, but on some, when you hit the washer, the wiper will only work for a few seconds, then shut off.

I see, check fuse nine 30 amp, underhood fuse box, use testlite should be hot all the time. Also, check the high/low wiper relay, under hood fuse box. Pull the relay, turn on wiper control, use a testlight, terminal 30 and 87 should be hot.

My two cents worth: The Body Computer is a very common problem for exactly the symptom described. Thank you for the observation about the washer causing the wipers to run for a few swipes. That's the clue that clinches it, and it proves the wiper motor and wiring are okay.

Unfortunately, replacing the body computer is not a do-it-yourself procedure. It is even frustrating for the professionals. The module is plugged in next to the firewall in front of the brake pedal, and some bolts must be removed to get it out. Too bad the engineers saw fit to complicate a simple, reliable circuit with an unnecessary, expensive computer. The wipers in my 1988 Grand Caravan do exactly the same thing with a switch and very inexpensive module.

Caradiodoc

You need a test light or volts meter for the test. Check fuses if all okay check for power at the connector if you have power I would say you need a new wiper motor.

Check for a bad ground. Run a test ground wire to the motor first suspect a bad motor.

Since both wiper arms stopped, and you can hear the motor run, it sounds like the linkage is disconnected at a ball and socket joint. You will find that you can move one arm and both will move together.

When only one arm stops moving, it is usually a loose 15 mm nut on the arm pivot. Just lift the plastic cover at the base of the arm. It will snap up revealing the nut that must be tightened.

Less common is a pressed-on linkage arm that falls off the pivot. The assembly must be removed for this repair. The arm is tapped back onto the splined shaft, then a light tack weld will prevent it from coming off again. This will also cause only one arm to stop moving, and moving one arm will not cause the other one to move.

Caradiodoc