Wiper blades stuck

[jlknsmith]

I have a 2009 3.8 with the Tech Package. Lately, I have intermittent issues with the wiper blades. I have seen previous threads speaking about the blades wiping 1/3 of the way and then going back down when on the rain sensing mode--and I have seen this happen on my car. My problem is that sometimes (not all) the wipers will become "stuck" and will not move at all from the down position--this is the case even if I move the control arm to various positions as well. I can hear the motor engage ("click" or "thunk" rhythmically) but the arms do not move. Sometimes when I shut the car off, wait, and re-start the problem corrects itself. Almost as if something needs to be re-set. Problem is: I don't know when or if this will occur during a heavy rain.....any ideas?

 

[Bill K]

Does this happen in the "auto" mode, or the manual mode? What about if you use the window washers??

 

[jlknsmith]

Thanks for the reply.
Once they are stuck in the down position, they are stuck for ALL modes including wash/wipe. Again, I can hear the wiper motor going but the arms do not move. Most of the time, turning the vehicle off, letting it sit for a minute, then restarting the car must re-set something within the feature because most of the time (but not all the time) it will work after the re-start.

 

[Gunkk]

Almost sounds like a mechanical problem. Did you check the linkage?

 

[FastDEW1]

My 2011 did this and eventually stopped completely in a rain storm. A trip to the dealer provided the answer - the motor was broken. It was mechanical issue.

 

[jlknsmith]

My first hunch was a linkage problem but then I concluded that it likely wasn't this issue because sometimes the wipers work again after letting the car sit for a short while. I don't think it's the motor because I can hear a rhythmic clunking sound like the motor is engaged but something is keeping the blades from moving.

Based on the responses, I guess I need to do a deeper dive on the potential mechanical problems and the issue is not related to the higher tech components of the system.

 

[FastDEW1]

My first hunch was a linkage problem but then I concluded that it likely wasn't this issue because sometimes the wipers work again after letting the car sit for a short while. I don't think it's the motor because I can hear a rhythmic clunking sound like the motor is engaged but something is keeping the blades from moving.

Based on the responses, I guess I need to do a deeper dive on the potential mechanical problems and the issue is not related to the higher tech components of the system.

Mine did this exact thing. I also heard the motor clunking as it went round and round but the blades didn't move. It was the motor, something with the gear internally stripping. Dealer replaced under warranty and all was good.

add to this - they would stop and start again depending upon the situation. Until one day, the stopped all together - in the rain on the highway......

 

[swltf183]

I had the same problem. I was reluctant to take it to the dealer because they worked most of the time. And I figured they'd probably work at the dealership and I'd be told they cannot diagnose a problem that doesn't exist. BTDT.

Finally the wipers stopped mid wipe and I took the car to the dealer so they could witness it for themselves. They replaced the wiper motor under warranty.

 

[jlknsmith]

Sorry for the delay in posting. The fix (apparently) ended up being a bad wiper blade motor. Since replacing (about $750 at the dealer) all has been good.

 

[MrWhite]

My wipers were acting really weird last week. I took the car to the dealer and they said it was a bad wiper motor. They have ordered a new one and are going to install it next week. I'm still under the factory warranty and am trying to find every little thing I can before it expires in a couple of months.

______________________________

Help support this site so it can continue supporting you!

 

[westvibes]

There may be something wrong with the wiper relay or the linkage spindles.