At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.
Last night, in the snow and ice, the passenger side wiper arm got caught on the drivers side. It tore appart the passenger blade, but appears to have stripped a drive gear or something from the drivers side.
The passenger side works perfectly, as do all the controls, but the drivers side only moves between an inch and about 1/3 of the way. I can twist it on it's mount, so I"m guessing either something is loose, or stripped.
What needs to be replaced?
It sounds simple enough to fix myself - except I cant get that cap off!! Does it twist off - pull off- or none of the above?
I was given a 99' Buick Century with all kinds of problem. This sounds like one of them. The only difference is I can lift the wiper all the way up and turn it around 360, and when I turn the motor on it doesn't do anything. Do you think I need to replace the wiper motor??? If so how is it done??? I was given a 99' Buick Century with all kinds of problem. This sounds like one of them. The only difference is I can lift the wiper all the way up and turn it around 360, and when I turn the motor on it doesn't do anything. Do you think I need to replace the wiper motor??? If so how is it done???
You can't post conmments that contain an email address.
Most caps can be pulled up be using a screw driver.Most wiper arms are held on by a nut. Try to tighten up the nut, If that does not work, visit your local junk yard and purchase a new (used) wiper arm.
The cap pulls off, try to pry it with a screwdriver. then set the arm where it needs to be and tighten the nut under the cap. This is common, the nut usually just loosens.
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
Hi Jill,
The first thing to check is a 13mm nut that holds the wiper arm in place.See if you can move the wiper arm freely back and forth.There is a nut at the base of that wiper arm,Lift up a cover that is hiding the nut. If it comes loose from being froze from ice or snow. Put the wiper in its rest position and tighten the nut back up.
sounds like the connecting rod between both wiper arms either broke or one of the keepers popped off under the connector for that arm..since the wiper system IS NOT designed to wisk snow off the window once accumulated, this can an does happen.. even seen motors get burned out doing this..cleaning the window first will save this issue and the equiptment. need to acess this arm<take off the vented peice below the windshield and everything should be visible there..repost findings
The wiper arm "nut" is the key...try tightening the nut down...be sure the wiper arm is in the correct (same) location as the drivers side...you can do this by running the good side, and turn wipers off before turning the key off...this will assure proper alignment...Don't be afraid to torque the nut down...this is the most common problem...as winter and ice take a toll on frozen...wiper arms that are pulled loose from the ice or snow...Hope this helps.
When you tried to move the wiper with the ice it probably broke an inner componette and connecting rodes from motor. You'll haft to inspect the rodes and motor to know what damage is done but it you can move the wiper easily by hand it's definitly broke. If it is real hard and dont want to move it might be jammed and you might be able to move it alittle to move it back into place.
jhigh09, It does not sound like your wiper moyor is the problem. your passenger side wiper arm or stud might be stripped . To remove the arm, there is a spring clip where the arm is attached to the stud, With a small screwdriver pry the clip away from the stud and inspect the wiper arm and the stud.They have very small splines on them. If one or both are stripped, Replace them. To avoid this problem in the future, make sure you clear your windshield of snow /ice . that is commonly the cause of this type of failure. Also, Make sure you turn the wipers off when you park your truck.When you start up in the morning you will forget there on, i have and your wipers frozen with ice and snow will try to break loose and some damage. Hope i was of some help.
this could be a result of the linkage coming apart this is located under the cowel and not easy to service. It could also be a result of bad splines between the wiper arm adn wiper arm shaft. if the later is the case you can sometimes tighten the 15 mm nut that holds the arm to the shaft. but this will only work once or twice before the arm requires repolacement. remember folks, wipers are your friend in the winter, they are not ice chippers or snow plows, always clear your windshield with an ice scraper and make sure the wiper blades are not frozen to the glass. this small form of torture in the cold will save you big $$$ in the auto repair shops.
Check to see if the wiper motor moves the passenger side. If so, You may need to tighten the nut that connects the arm to the motor. Mine was stripped out because or snow & ice. So, I went to home depot and found a lock washer to fit.
Presto.... Nick from DE
I was given a 99' Buick Century with all kinds of problem. This sounds like one of them. The only difference is I can lift the wiper all the way up and turn it around 360, and when I turn the motor on it doesn't do anything. Do you think I need to replace the wiper motor??? If so how is it done???
×