What to Do When the Wiper Stops in the Middle?
3 Answers
The solutions for a wiper stopping in the middle are as follows: 1. Check the wiper blade: If you usually neglect the maintenance of the car's wiper blades and find they are severely damaged and unable to function properly, promptly replace a set of wiper blades. 2. Check the wiper motor: Open the car's hood to see the wiper motor. You can touch the wiper motor by hand. If it feels hot, it indicates an internal short circuit, and the motor should be replaced. 3. Check the wiper linkage: The wiper linkage has many connection points. If these points have issues, the wiper won't work properly. You can observe the wiper's operation to determine if it's a linkage failure. 4. Check the wiper fuse: To protect the car's wiring, each electrical device has a fuse. If the wiper doesn't work, check if the wiper fuse is blown and replace it with a spare fuse from the car. 5. Check the wiper switch: Although the wiper switch isn't used frequently, car electronics can be unstable. If no issues are found in the above checks, consider that the wiper switch might be faulty. Use a multimeter to test the switch or replace it with a new one for testing. 6. Check the wiper wiring: Inspecting the wiring is a complex and time-consuming task. You need to be proficient in using a car multimeter to measure voltage, resistance, and current, and combine this with practical experience to identify the wiring fault causing the wiper to malfunction.
Last time I was driving, I also encountered the issue of the wipers stopping halfway. This is usually caused by the wiper motor overheating or an internal short circuit, possibly due to prolonged continuous use or the motor being overloaded by heavy rain. A blown fuse is another common cause, especially in aging electrical systems. If they suddenly get stuck, don’t panic—first turn off the wiper switch and restart it; sometimes it can recover on its own. If that doesn’t work, check the corresponding fuse in the fuse box to see if it’s intact, and replace it with a new one. If the linkage mechanism is jammed, it’s more troublesome—frozen wipers in winter or debris stuck to the blades can easily cause this issue. Be careful not to force them, as it may damage the components. Safety first: if the wipers stop while driving and visibility is poor, pull over immediately and turn on the hazard lights until the car is repaired. Preventive measures include regularly cleaning the wiper blades to avoid ice buildup and choosing high-quality products when replacing them. It’s recommended to visit a professional repair shop for a thorough inspection of the electrical system—the cost isn’t high, but it can prevent unexpected issues.
I think the wiper stopping in the middle position might be related to mechanical jamming, commonly caused by rust or wear and deformation of the wiper linkage, leading to restricted movement and getting stuck halfway. Electrical issues like a faulty controller or short circuit can also trigger this phenomenon, especially more likely to occur in winter with snow and ice. Avoid forcing operation to prevent burning out the motor; first, try turning off the power and waiting a while before restarting. If that doesn't work, check the fuse condition and replace it if necessary. Aging wiper blades or debris like leaves stuck to them can also cause jamming, so regular cleaning can reduce this issue. Safety is key while driving—if something happens in the rain, it could be dangerous, so immediately find a safe place to stop. For prevention, I recommend lubricating the linkage joints once a year and replacing aging wiper arms, which saves money and hassle in the long run and makes maintenance simpler.
