Why is the windshield wiper not moving?

[VanMadelyn]

Reasons why the windshield wiper is not moving: 1. The fuse is blown, causing the wiper to malfunction. Open the fuse box to check and replace the corresponding fuse; 2. The motor is burnt out. Turn on the car ignition to power on, open the front hood and activate the wiper. If it's not damaged, you should hear the sound of the motor running, which is quite noticeable. However, if there is no sound and a burning smell is present, it indicates motor failure. The windshield wiper is a blade structure installed in front of the windshield, consisting of components such as the motor, reducer, four-bar linkage, wiper arm spindle, and wiper blade assembly. Its primary function is to clear rain, snow, and dust from the windshield that obstruct visibility.

[VanEverett]

Yesterday, while helping my cousin check out a car, I encountered this exact issue—the wipers wouldn't move, and the system needed inspection. First, check if the fuse is blown. Open the small box on the left side of the driver's seat and replace it with a 20A fuse, which is very cheap. Leaves stuck under the windshield can jam the wiper arm, and if the rubber blade is frozen to the glass, forcing it might burn out the motor. The most troublesome issue is when the motor gears rust solid. Last time I took it apart, I found that accumulated water had corroded the linkage, and replacing the whole set cost over 300 yuan. Wiring aging and short circuits are even more dangerous, as rain-induced electrical leaks could fry the car's computer. Always remember to return the wipers to their proper position when turning them off—leaving them misaligned for long periods can loosen the springs.

[JasonLynn]

Driving a ride-hailing car for five years, I've encountered wiper failures dozens of times. Turn the key to the second gear to power on and listen for a buzzing sound from the motor position—no sound usually means a fuse or motor issue. Lever switch failures are particularly common, especially getting stuck suddenly during heavy rain, when you should pull over and turn on the hazard lights. A repair shop once taught me a temporary fix: pop the hood, loosen the wiper linkage screw, and manually reset it. Reminder: never turn on the wipers when the glass is dry—the rubber strips will wear against the metal frame and be ruined in half a month.

[MargaretDella]

This often happens during the rainy season—start by ruling out the simple issues. The most frustrating is when the rain sensor gets covered in tree sap and misjudges it as sunny weather; just wipe the sensing area with alcohol. If the mechanical arm is rusted and stuck, tapping the connecting rod might fix it. For older cars with exposed wiring causing short circuits, wrapping electrical tape around it a couple of times can serve as an emergency fix. If replacing the motor, opt for a waterproof model—last year, a fellow car enthusiast replaced theirs with an aftermarket part, and it failed again in three months. Remember to disconnect the negative terminal when working on it yourself—safety first.

[LeilaniDella]

Just fixed the wiper issue on my car. First, check if the washer fluid sprays properly—if it does, the motor is likely fine. Linkage detachment is common on bumpy roads; pop the hood to see if the silver linkage has fallen off. Newer models are trickier—a control module failure might require central console decoding. A tip for northern drivers: never force wipers to scrape ice in sub-zero temps, as leftover ice shards in glass seams can bend the wiper arms. Keeping de-icing spray on hand saves a lot of hassle.