What are the reasons for the windshield wipers continuously running?
3 Answers
Windshield wipers continuously running may be caused by: 1. Faulty wiring in the wiper motor; 2. Malfunctioning combination switch; 3. Incorrect negative terminal connection of the wipers. Solutions to fix continuously running wipers include: 1. Replacing the wiper motor wiring; 2. Replacing the combination switch; 3. Reconnecting the wiper's negative terminal properly. The correct way to use windshield wipers is: When there is rain, simply push the wiper lever downward. Their functions are: 1. Removing raindrops and dust from the vehicle's windshield to improve driver visibility; 2. Helping determine wheel position through wiper movement.
I've been driving trucks for over a decade on long-haul routes, and I've encountered the issue of windshield wipers not stopping several times. The most common cause is a stuck switch, possibly due to water ingress causing rust or wear that prevents it from turning off, keeping the wipers powered and going crazy. Sometimes it's a stuck relay—that little black box in the engine compartment—where the contacts get welded together from arcing, cutting off the current. Wiring shorts are another problem; old wires touching can cause a short circuit, keeping the wipers powered. Rusted linkage getting stuck is also troublesome, making it impossible to stop. It's terrifying when this happens on the highway in the rain, with visibility blurred and relying purely on luck. Every time, I first pull the fuse to temporarily stop the wipers, or else the wiper blades wear out and cost money. Then, I quickly head to the repair shop for a full circuit check to avoid minor issues leading to major safety risks. Remember, prevention is key—clean dust and water accumulation near the switch monthly.
Last time I went on a trip in my car, the wipers suddenly wouldn't stop, which made me so anxious that I posted online to ask for help. It could be a faulty switch button that won't pop back, or an electronic issue with the control module. An uncalibrated rain sensor might also misjudge rain and keep activating. I tried checking the fuse box myself—found the wiper fuse in the manual and pulled it out, which helped a bit. If that didn’t work, the next step was to check if the relay was buzzing, overheating, or stuck. Eventually, I took it to a roadside shop and spent 300 to fix it—the mechanic said the relay was burnt out and just needed replacement. If you're handy, you could DIY, but don’t mess with the wiring to avoid frying more components. Driving with wipers going wild is unbearably noisy and dangerous, so pull over and deal with it immediately. Later, I found the wiper blades were worn out and had to be replaced early—what a waste!
