Why does the car wiper sometimes work and sometimes not?
2 Answers
Wiper sometimes works and sometimes not for the following reasons: Damaged wiper blades: It may be due to the lack of attention to the maintenance of the car wiper blades. When it rains, you may find that they are severely damaged and cannot work properly. In this case, replacing a set of wiper blades in time can solve the problem. Damaged wiper switch: Although the wiper switch is not frequently used, car electronics themselves have instability. Therefore, the wiper switch may have issues. You can use a multimeter to measure the condition of the switch or directly replace it with a new one for testing. Damaged wiper motor: After opening the car hood, you can see the wiper motor. You can touch the wiper motor by hand. If it feels hot, it indicates an internal short circuit in the motor. Replacing the motor can solve the problem.
A few days ago, my windshield wipers gave me the same trouble—they suddenly stopped and started several times during heavy rain, scaring me into pulling over immediately. There could be several reasons, but the most common is poor contact in the wiper switch. That little button can wear out or oxidize over time, causing intermittent signals. Another major issue is the aging of the wiper motor, which may jam or lose power, especially in low temperatures or high humidity. Loose wiring connections are also common, as dust or corrosion at the plug can disrupt current flow—lightly tapping the wiper switch might temporarily fix it. Of course, a blown fuse can cause this too, but usually, the wipers stop completely. I suggest testing the switch regularly before driving and getting it fixed immediately if there’s an issue—don’t wait until it rains to panic. You can also feel the switch for excessive heat, which indicates contact problems. Safety first—don’t delay.