# Help! One Windshield Wiper Stopped Working. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 7, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248 "2005-10-07T22:42:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/1 "2005-10-07T22:42:27Z")
I don’t usually post these kinds of questions here but I am really in a jam. I drive a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo SUV. On the way to work this morning, I had my windshield wipers on and the driver’s side one just dropped down and stopped working. Now you can move it manually with no resistance. I need this fixed before Monday. What is wrong with it? Can I fix it myself? How hard is it to fix it? Thanks in Advance. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/2 "2005-10-07T23:55:10Z")
The wiper arm is attached to a short rod coming up from infront of the windshild. This rod is nereled (sp) or groved. It is very posible that the matching groves in the arm itself are stripped out. Remove the entire wiper arm and check to see if anything is stripped out. Also, with the arm off, turn on your wipers and check to see that the rod spins back and forth. You may be able to switch the right wiper arm with the left to get by if it is the arm that is stripped out. Did that on my wifes jeep until we could get a new one. ---
**Author:** ![deevee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@deevee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deevee)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/3 "2005-10-08T00:00:41Z")
If the rod is not spinning then the arm that attaches it to the wiper motor is broken or has detached. If this is the case you won’t be able to fix it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/4 "2005-10-08T00:35:14Z")
Almost certainly the wiper arm is attached to its spindle with a nut. It’s common for these nuts to work loose, and usually all that is needed is to tighten the nut. There’s probably a cap over the nut, which may be hinged to the arm. Remove it or flip it up to get access to the nut. The wiper arm is spring loaded, so first press it firmly onto the spindle so that it’s seated, make sure it’s aligned properly on the windshield, then tighten the nut securely. While you’re there, check the other side and make sure it’s nut is tight. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/5 "2005-10-08T03:00:47Z")
Very good advice **GaryT**. You may need to work the plastic cap off with a pocket knife. Then tighten down the nut. ---
**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/6 "2005-10-08T10:06:44Z")
If the splines on the shaft have become stripped, unlikely but possible, I was able to temporarily “fix” one once with some kitchen foil. By wrapping it around the shaft and refitting the nut, it gave enough bite to get it to work until I was able to change the motor. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/7 "2005-10-08T19:32:49Z")
The actual [windshield washer motor](http://www.project66bug.com/images/washermotorandpepper.jpg) pictured here ( it’s the part that doesn’t urinate on shrubbery… ) is not difficult to replace. Any auto parts store will have some in stock for many cars- find the one for your car, and follow instructions for your particular vehicle regarding removal of battery leads when working on the electrical system of your car ( search here. I know there was a thread about removing battery leads a few months back ), and you can do it yourself in short order. That is, if it was the motor itself and not the gnurled/ toothed butt end of the washer arm. 🙂 Cartooniverse ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/8 "2005-10-08T20:13:47Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > The actual [windshield washer motor](http://www.project66bug.com/images/washermotorandpepper.jpg) pictured here ( it’s the part that doesn’t urinate on shrubbery… ) is not difficult to replace. Any auto parts store will have some in stock for many cars- find the one for your car, and follow instructions for your particular vehicle regarding removal of battery leads when working on the electrical system of your car ( search here. I know there was a thread about removing battery leads a few months back ), and you can do it yourself in short order. > > That is, if it was the motor itself and not the gnurled/ toothed butt end of the washer arm. 🙂 > > Cartooniverse Uh, little mix-up here? That’s a **WASHER** motor, not a **WIPER** motor. And since the passenger wiper still works in the OP’s case, it’s not a motor problem. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/9 "2005-10-10T06:56:49Z")
> [@deevee](#): > > If the rod is not spinning then the arm that attaches it to the wiper motor is broken or has detached. If this is the case you won’t be able to fix it yourself. This happened to my Mirage. The hardest thing about fixing it myself was getting the part. It was quite easy to replace. Only a small amount of swearing involved. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/10 "2005-10-10T16:19:15Z")
The drive arms of both wipers are linked by a metal bar. Sometimes it’s under the hood, but more likely you’ll find it behind the dashboard. A little squirming around on the floor with a flashlight will tell you whether you can reach it without taking the dash off. ---
**Author:** ![thanksamill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@thanksamill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanksamill)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/11 "2014-09-03T14:48:23Z")
> [@Seven](#): > > This happened to my Mirage. The hardest thing about fixing it myself was getting the part. It was quite easy to replace. Only a small amount of swearing involved. Ha - funny. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![thanksamill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@thanksamill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thanksamill)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/12 "2014-09-03T14:56:16Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Almost certainly the wiper arm is attached to its spindle with a nut. It’s common for these nuts to work loose, and usually all that is needed is to tighten the nut. There’s probably a cap over the nut, which may be hinged to the arm. Remove it or flip it up to get access to the nut. The wiper arm is spring loaded, so first press it firmly onto the spindle so that it’s seated, make sure it’s aligned properly on the windshield, then tighten the nut securely. While you’re there, check the other side and make sure it’s nut is tight. Thank you!! My driver-side windshield washer arm went out halfway home, in the rain, and didn’t know what I was going to do today. Thanks for saving me hassle, time, and money. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-one-windshield-wiper-stopped-working/325248/13 "2014-09-03T15:05:55Z")
Given that this thread is old, and no new information has been added, I’m going to close it. Colibri General Questions Moderator