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Windshield Wipers suddenly not working

53K views 24 replies 19 participants last post by  Wild Coast 
#1 ·
Hi,
I have an issue with my windshield wipers that just came up. Up until today i have had zero issues with my wipers however today they stopped working. Unfortunately i have to keep my vehicle outside and the weather in upstate new york is anything but mild. Today i went out to my x and it was covered in ice, including the wipers being frozen to the windshield. I i popped them loose, however when i turned them on i could hear the motor working, but the wipers wouldn't move. When i turned the wipers off i could go outside and slide them up and down easily. Is this simply a case of them getting frozen over and when they thaw out they should work fine again or is there a more serious problem with them? I didn't know if xterra wipers were more prone to not working when frozen or not. Any advice on or ideas about what the issue is would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
#3 ·
First off thanks for the speedy reply. Is this a fairly simple fix? I'm not great with working on cars, but i can follow directions pretty well. Are this parts i would need to get from a nissan dealership or can i just get these at auto zone or something? Thanks.
 
#5 ·
When i turned the wipers off i could go outside and slide them up and down easily.
Sounds like the linkage came apart somewhere if you can easily move them back and forth. Sometimes it's as simple as a C-clip coming undone at one of the linkage points others...well hope it's not the others but if it is take pics & do a write up for the rest of us. :)
 
#6 ·
I'd check to see if the metal shafts are spinning under the wiper arms. If so at least then you know the linkage is still attached and all your have to do is tighten the tapers. However not likely since both wipers are not working. My guess is that you will have to remove both wiper arms. Then remove that plastic window shroud (looks like it just snaps in). After you get the shroud out of the way you may have to remove a plastic thingy or two to get a look at the linkage. But, the linkage consists of metal rods with these plastic ball cups that like to pop out of the rods. So pop them back on and your good to go secure with a zip tie if the little lock is broken. If both wipers are still attached to each other (you move one it moves the other) Chances are the linkage popped off at the wiper motor so keep that in mind. It's much easier then it sounds once you see what your working with.

On mine the taper just worked itself loose. Same situation, icy windshield, one wiper came disconnected. Here is how I tightend it.

O-ring pick any hook will work. I'm sure you could even use a allen wrench if you want.


Pull out not up.


Remove nut with a 12mm wrench.


At this point if the linkage is bad remove the plastic cover to get a look.


However, mine just needed to be cleaned and tightened.


Align the wipers straight like they were originally and tighten the nut. Pop the cover back on done..
 
#8 ·
Same thing just happened to me - same situation - ice on the windshield, etc. I removed everything, reattached the linkage, and put it back together. But, then it just happened again. I'm not sure if I am going to have to buy new linkage, or if reattaching it again and securing it with something as you said would be sufficient. Thoughts? If I need to go buy the linkage, any idea where to get it?
 
#9 ·
I'd check to see if the metal shafts are spinning under the wiper arms. If so at least then you know the linkage is still attached and all your have to do is tighten the tapers. However not likely since both wipers are not working. My guess is that you will have to remove both wiper arms. Then remove that plastic window shroud (looks like it just snaps in). After you get the shroud out of the way you may have to remove a plastic thingy or two to get a look at the linkage. But, the linkage consists of metal rods with these plastic ball cups that like to pop out of the rods. So pop them back on and your good to go secure with a zip tie if the little lock is broken. If both wipers are still attached to each other (you move one it moves the other) Chances are the linkage popped off at the wiper motor so keep that in mind. It's much easier then it sounds once you see what your working with.

On mine the taper just worked itself loose. Same situation, icy windshield, one wiper came disconnected. Here is how I tightend it.

O-ring pick any hook will work. I'm sure you could even use a allen wrench if you want.


Pull out not up.


Remove nut with a 12mm wrench.


At this point if the linkage is bad remove the plastic cover to get a look.


However, mine just needed to be cleaned and tightened.


Align the wipers straight like they were originally and tighten the nut. Pop the cover back on done..
You're a badass!!!! Thanks dude! Put it in the How To section and you get some rep points from me. You da man!
 
#10 · (Edited)
Same thing just happened to me - same situation - ice on the windshield, etc. I removed everything, reattached the linkage, and put it back together. But, then it just happened again. I'm not sure if I am going to have to buy new linkage, or if reattaching it again and securing it with something as you said would be sufficient. Thoughts? If I need to go buy the linkage, any idea where to get it?
Did you find any flaws? Was the linkage disconnected? Those plastic buttons turn themselves out of the rods. If the little plastic friction lock broke.

I drew this up in MS paint real quick to give you a idea of what I mean. It might not look exactly the same. It's been a year or so since I repaired mine on my Nissan hardbody so my brain might be a little rusty as to exactly how it looks in there. I know its common as I took mine apart and found that previous owner had did the ziptie trick already on a few of the rods. I actually used bailing wire as it won't dry out and crack like a zip tie but same idea.





Pretty much everywhere there is a arrow with that goofy looking grease gun in this picture is one of those rod end plastic pieces.


Usually if this is your problem you will find the plastic insert stuck to the ball and the metal rod flopping about.
 
#11 ·
Silver Dude,
Thanks for the in depth answer. That sounds like my problem exactly. I am making a long trip soon so i may have to just take it to the dealership due to time restraints, but if i have time i will have to try what you did. Thanks again.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for this write up and illustration, my wife's 03 X driver side wiper recently stopped working. I did exactly what you had posted and it worked perfectly.....

Turned out that the 12mm nut just needed to be tightened, it was so loose i could turn with my fingers with no force!

Thanks for this and rep added!

I'd check to see if the metal shafts are spinning under the wiper arms. If so at least then you know the linkage is still attached and all your have to do is tighten the tapers. However not likely since both wipers are not working. My guess is that you will have to remove both wiper arms. Then remove that plastic window shroud (looks like it just snaps in). After you get the shroud out of the way you may have to remove a plastic thingy or two to get a look at the linkage. But, the linkage consists of metal rods with these plastic ball cups that like to pop out of the rods. So pop them back on and your good to go secure with a zip tie if the little lock is broken. If both wipers are still attached to each other (you move one it moves the other) Chances are the linkage popped off at the wiper motor so keep that in mind. It's much easier then it sounds once you see what your working with.

On mine the taper just worked itself loose. Same situation, icy windshield, one wiper came disconnected. Here is how I tightend it.

O-ring pick any hook will work. I'm sure you could even use a allen wrench if you want.


Pull out not up.


Remove nut with a 12mm wrench.


At this point if the linkage is bad remove the plastic cover to get a look.


However, mine just needed to be cleaned and tightened.


Align the wipers straight like they were originally and tighten the nut. Pop the cover back on done..
 
#15 ·
Hate to resurrect an old thread on my first post, but here goes:
Had the linkage come apart on my wipers. Went to taking everything apart and the passenger side mount for the wiper was also broken, so I needed to replace the linkage (called a wiper transmission at the junkyards, by the way) .... go get the part, and get back and realize it isn't the same .. not exactly. My old linkage connected to the wiper motor by a notched link that fits over the shaft of the motor. The one the yard gave me has splines to go on the motor. I figure - no problem - i try to replace that one section of the linkage with my old section.. now I realize the little ball joints are also a different size. I cant replace this one segment of my linkage because the two wont fit into each other. Has anyone else taken their linkage off of the motor, and how does it connect, splines or a notch? I've got a 2000 xterra 4wd. I'm trying to figure out if i have some oddball wipers (every picture of this part I can find shows splines) or if I got the wrong part from the yard.
 
#16 ·
Nice

Yea this was also my problem earlier today, out of nowhere that shaft from the motor to the first wiper and elbow disconnected, no reason for it just might have gotten loose, popped it back on after reading up and bingo :)

thanks dudes!
 
#17 ·
Threads like this are why I love this site. The sleet and freezing rain made one of my wiper arms give up the ghost today. After a good read I will be fixing this in the morning, assuming there is no more "white rain" down here in southern Mississippi. Thanks for the info!
 
#18 ·
what part to order??

Hi guys,

so my wipers stopped working last night.. As a delivery driver I need my car up and running ASAP. But since I live in a small town I need to order parts from a dealer but they won't let me unless they know what it is... It looks like I need a plastic part which attaches to the bolt coming from wiping engine. I've seen some videos but the guys just hooked the arm on bolt, tightened the screw and done. Mine seems to have some plastic cap that just clicks on - plastics broken so it doesn't stay on.. Do I need just the plastic or do they come as one-piece and I need to replace the whole arm?

Thanks a lot ;)
 
#19 · (Edited)
I just did mine yesterday. The dealer sells the single linkage arm with the plastic bushing already in place and greased. Only cost $13. Sounds like you have the cowling removed already so it will be a quick job once you get the part. Just remove the old arm with bad bushing and replace. I used channel locks to squeeze the bushings on. This is the part number:
#28841-3S500

This is for a first gen, not sure what year yours is.
 
#22 ·
Gotta chime in here with a ditto on the recommendation to leave wipers off windshield when it might snow. I ran into a problem with the splines on my driver's side. It stopped working in the middle of a raging thunderstorm last September. (I think the nuts were 10mm not 12mm like someone else mentioned).

My ultimate solution involved putting some plumber's tape around the splines.

I figure if that works loose, I'll cross drill the shaft and tap an allen bolt in to hold it in place. A little more work to remove the arm, but I can likely hide it all under the plastic cover.

Good luck to all of you in your repairs.
no whining now.
 
#23 ·
Hi I have a 2009 Nissan Xterra and my windshield wipers stop working. I just when out one morning and turn it on and nothing. They was working great the day before. All the functions on the switch work but the front wipers. I check the fuses and they are good. I took a test light to the wires on the motor. When I turn on the the switch the light will go on for about 3sec and go off. This is on all of the prongs on the plug. I jump the motor and it runs good. I changed out the switch and I still have the same problem. That switch is not cheap ether. lol. Im stump right now any suggestion would be great.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Had the same issue. In my case, the arm that went from the wiper motor disconnected from the rest of the linkage.

There is a good vid from 1A Auto for a Frontier wiper linkage replacement, which shows the detailed disassembly steps, really helpful:



Looks like the attachment is a metal ball that's pressed into a plastic 'cup' on the other arm, almost like a bushing. Mine kinda snaps on but it's really easy to pop it off again - I'm guessing the mating surface (plastic) wore down. Looking at the Nissan parts diagram you can replace each arm independently:


In my case, it's arm #8

If Nissan dealer/OE parts aren't an option, looks like Doorman makes a full linkage assembly (part no 602-016): Dorman Products - 602-016

Hope this helps!
 
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