Are your windshield wipers not working? Wondering if it’s the electrical connection or the motor? Watch our video or read on to help you diagnose and fix the problem.
How to Diagnose Why Your Windshield Wipers Are Not Working
Test the Windshield Wiper Motor’s Electrical Connection
A test light will help indicate if the connection is faulty. The steps include attaching the test light to the battery and inserting it into different terminals in the electrical connector to test for continuity. This test should only take a few minutes and will reveal if the connector, switch, or the wiper motor is defective.
Steps to test windshield wipers that are not working
- Connect the Test Light to the Battery
Connect the test light to the negative battery terminal and test its connection.
- Test the “Hot Feed” Yellow Wire
Disconnect the windshield wiper motor’s electrical connector. Find the yellow wire’s terminal on the electrical connector, which is the “hot feed” wire that is always active when the key is on and will bring the motor back to park with the wipers shut off. Lightly touch the terminal with a test light. If the test light illuminates, the terminal is working.
- Test the Red & Blue Wire at Regular Speed
Turn the wiper switch to regular speed. Insert the test light into the terminal for the red and blue wire, which is the “regular speed” wire. If the test light illuminates, the terminal is working.
- Test the Black & Blue Wire at High Speed
Turn the wiper switch to high speed. Insert the test light into the terminal for the black and blue wire, which is the “high speed” wire. If the test light lights up, the connection is good.
- Turn off the Wipers & Connect the Test Light to the Positive Battery Terminal
Turn the wiper switch off. Disconnect the test light from the negative post on the battery and connect it to the positive post. Test the test light’s connection.
- Test the “Ground Circuit” Black Wire
Gently press the test light to the terminal for the black wire, which is the ground wire. If the test light lights up, the connection is good.
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Do I Replace the Motor, Wiper Switch, or the Wiring?
If one of the circuits proves to be defective, it could be the wiring, a bad wiper switch, or a blown fuse.
If the circuits pass the test, the wiper motor is defective.
How to Replace the Wiper Motor Yourself
If your windshield wipers aren’t working and you think it’s the motor, find out how to replace the it yourself with the steps in this how-to video. Find a video specific to your car with 1A Auto’s how-to video library.
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