Before we start tackling the question in this blog post, we wanted to answer a quick question that several people have asked us – can we provide answers on other makes & models of vehicles besides Kia’s & Suzuki’s? The answer is a resounding “YES”! We work on all kinds of vehicles here at the dealership, so don’t be shy in asking whatever question you have! Now, let’s continue -
We finally had some decent amounts of rain lately, which meant we actually had to use those things called the windshield wipers, for prolonged periods, for the first time in a while. We had a customer or two come in with the “the wipers suddenly stopped” problem, which, for the most part, can be an easy fix. It also brought to mind some valuable advise to pass along to you – that the best practice of fixing anything, including a vehicle, is to start with the easiest and most obvious things first.
Case in point with windshield wipers. When we went out to look at a customers vehicle, the first thing we did was ask questions. Even though the wipers don’t move, can you hear the wiper motor? For it is very rare that the wiper motor “just dies”. If you can’t hear the motor working, check the fuse – that can be the culprit almost all the time. Fuse location information is contained in your owners manual. Fuses blow mostly due to age, but also when there is a spike in electrical amperage. If the fuse is blown, and you replace it, but it blows again a short while later, you’ll want to have your vehicle diagnosed as to why this is happening.
However, if you do hear the wiper motor working, that means the fuse & electrical connections are fine. On numerous vehicles, at the base of the windshield wiper arms (where they connect to the cowl just below the windshield itself), there are some caps or small round covers that can pop off. Below those caps you will find nuts. Those nuts attach to bolts – and they make up the contact points between your wiper arms and the part that moves the wipers called the wiper transmission. If you turn the wipers on, and you see the bolt just spinning, but not the nut, that means the nut is just loose. Simply tighten the nut, and chances are, your wipers will operate normally… just like that!
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