windshield wipers are not working

Remove protective cap on base of wiper arm and see if the nut that holds it to wiper trans is loose. If so tighten nut, if the nut is tight the control rod that works the drivers side came off here is a diagrams so you can see what I am talking about. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

the above person has a legitimate answer, but his answer is no where near what the root of my problem was. the problem I came across was not the nut but is the actual bushing which snaps onto the ball joint on the wiper motor arm. the arm is held in place by some cheaply made plastic. i have a 1985 VW and the wipers still work (go figure), the overall design of the wiper system is pretty bad by Chevrolet standards. it is simply bad engineering on that specific part.

The above person is making a conclusion, without seeing the problem. While he has posted about this problem (his own experience), that does not mean every problem falls within his experience.
If there is a TSB concerning this problem please post TSB number.

I would remove the wiper arms, cowl and inspect bushings and linkage assy, could be a bushing, could also be a loose nut, especially on an 2004.

If bushing, then get a replacement from Chevrolet, but check the nut first. Start simple and work your way up.

i did not make a conclusion without seeing what the problem was. i fixed my problem which happened to be a faulty linkage bushing. that is why i took a picture and went into detail with the problem i had.

I have the same issue myself. I have visually inspected and found the same bushing to be split in half causing the linkage arm to fall from the ball joint on the bottom of the wiper motor. I have tried Dorman replacement bushings with no luck. Chevrolet wants to sell the entire linkage kit for $197.00. all this to replace a bushing that should sell for about $5.00. Do you have a part number and source to order this bushing from?

Poor engineering, agreed. Ten cent bushing on a $130.00 part. Nothing new about that. Reminds me of alternator brushes. People replace alternators every day because the ten cent brushes wear out. Very strange part. The studs and ball joints look press fitted, with the bottom of the plastic ring under the ball joint. Re-engineering (without a full maintenance shop and the required parts) would be more difficult than replacing it. Wipers are a safety item, so this poorly engineered part (made by DongYang Megatronics, Seoul, South Korea) should have been a recall in my opinion. The whole assembly (without the motor) is going for $10.00 at my local junk yard.

My driver side wiper blade stopped working after i was removing snow from my window and the snow remover got stuck under the blade while the wipers were moving. it stopped working after that. i am not sure if this means it is the wiper transmission or the linkage because the other wiper is working fine. i did take it to the mechanic down the street and he said it was the pivot or wiper transmission. i did try and have the wiper blade bolt tightened and that did not work. not sure what needs to be replaced at this time.

i would pull the air inlet grille panel check linkage if linkage is okay and not bent then yes transmission needs to be replaced.

go get one at the salvage yard. Install it on your transmission if it starts working the blade is then if it does not the transmission has to be replaced.

Four cylinder front wheel drive automatic 94,700 miles

The challenge: windshield wipers working intermittently but now seem to have stopped completely; driver's side door will only lock manually, daylight running light stays lit and headlights go out sometimes. Wipers have stopped while driving and lights have shut off an then back on while driving. Is this a fuse problem, an electrical system failure, a known problem with this car?

Hello,

To better assist you is your model just the Cavalier, or the LS or LS Sport or the Z24. Also, what is your engine size in liter and the eighth digit of your VIN .

Now if I understand you your wipers no longer work

The driver's door only locks manually. does the door ajar light stay on or is it on at all?

Your DRL stay on even when you turn them off.

Your headlights turn off at times even though you have selected them to be on and then come on at times.

Hello, By the way, it looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.

Did this issue ever get resolved? because I am having the same exact issue right now and I am scared that it may be something expensive to fix.

We did not hear back from them. Hopefully they will see your email.

I turned the windshield wipers on they went across the window twice before stopping in the middle of the window. I pulled over and tried to see if they were stuck and they did not seem to be. Got back in the car, pulled the lever for the wipers and there was no result other than a faint buzzing when I was trying to use them. Checked the fuse, seems to be fine. Also noticed that the headlights are not working either. When I turn them to the on position, the daytime running lights indicator on the dash does not go out and the headlights do not turn on. I did notice, if I placed the wiper switch in the high position, the headlights switched on and off erratically. About fifteen minutes later, I placed the wiper switch in the high position again, and the headlights came on and stayed on. I am completely baffled. I am thinking maybe there is a short somewhere since there are multiple electrical issues going on at the same time. Any help would be appreciated.

Are they on the same multi-function lever? I have seen the wiring go bad in those a few times.

you might check to see if the nut where the wiper attaches to the motor is loose ,the noise might be the motor running with the wiper being loose it has happened on my Corsica. let me know how it goes.

Ray

Hi guys, thanks for you replies. The headlights are on one lever to the right of the steering wheel and the wipers are on a lever to the left. Randomly, about forty eight hours after I started having the problem, the wipers and the headlights started working normally again. I am not sure why, but it is okay for now it seems. Is it possible that the switch where the two levers are wired to, which probably runs down through the steering column, is going bad? I am not sure what the problem was, but I am sure it is electrical. Now that it is gone, how do I go about preventing it from happening again?

I have seen the wires go bad in the column.

Four cylinder two wheel drive automatic 80,000 miles

Please help this poor high school teacher. How can I get this electrical problem repaired? Wipers and headlights do not work. Used to be intermittant now they do not work at all!

Hello,
To better support you is your model just the Cavalier or the LS or LS Sport. Also, what is you engine size in liter? Last, while I am starting to look up the information is your lights and wipers on the same switch?

Regular model, four cylinder, changed fuses, dealer took out steering column could not find anything. lights and wipers are on different switches.

Hello,

Thanks for the information.

First check all the wiring by and under the battery tray. You are looking for corrosion and bad connections.these must be clean and good contact. There is a splice number SP102 that is under the battery tray. Both the wiper and headlights go to this. Remove the battery and tray and as I said look really good peel some of the insulation back it you have to. To clean all battery corrosion use Arm&Hammer baking soda mixed with water you do not want paste or as thick as pancake mix but nice full of the soda and do not get it on the battery.

what is the best kind of motor oil to use for my car? what about spark plugs what are the best kind, GM? another question one of my windshield wipers does not work can you take me step by step on how to fix it? it the one on the passenger side the one on the driver side works. last question when it gets very hot outside my temperature moves up what should i do and what does that mean when i say moves it does not stay on 195 it goes to 200 and maybe even 205 degrees.

5-30 oil.

AC-Delco plugs.

Wiper transmission has failed.

Start with a thermostat.

Roy

Thank you Roy. where is the transmission located?

Four cylinder automatic 63,000 miles.

Drivers side wiper not working, passenger side working okay. How do I disassemble and repair the problem?

You will have to remove the plastic cowl to gain access.
Make sure the wiper arm bolts are tight, if so then remove cowl and inspect transmission assembly for broken parts.

Four cylinder front wheel drive automatic.

Hi, the other day I was using my wipers due to the rain. They were both working fine, then out of the blue the one on the passenger side stopped working. What could this be?

The wiper is bolted to a splined gear. The bolt may have come off, or the splines are stripped.

Remove bolt and see if wiper has any play or comes off easily.

The only other possibility is the wiper transmission under the plastic cowl near the windshield.

Four cylinder two wheel drive automatic 75,000 miles.

The headlights and windshield wipers do not work. Checked the ground pack and cleaned them contact points. The daytime running lamps work. The headlamp bulbs are both good. The windshield washer pump works. Please help.

Four cylinder two wheel drive automatic 63,000 miles.

my passenger wiper has stop working, but the driver one does. what should i do or what might be the problem?