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
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.
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.
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Traded in all my project cars for a new Xterra, not an ounce of buyers remorse. My build thread
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..
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?
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!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Steeze
There's only a select few members that don't have a problem cutting up their X... and I believe there all in Colorado.
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.
Last edited by Silver Dude; 12-14-2008 at 11:26 PM.
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