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Why won't my windshield wipers turn on?

I was driving home and it started to sprinkle, but when I tried to turn on my windshield wipers nothing happened. The blades didn’t move at all, but luckily I got home before the downpour. Why won’t my windshield wipers turn on?

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Payton Ternus · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I’m so sorry to hear your windshield wipers stopped working—but I’m glad you got home safely before the rain.
Windshield wipers are a vital part of safe driving, like your rearview mirrors and
car insurance
, but we often don’t think about them until we need them.
Let’s take a look at the common reasons why your windshield wipers won’t turn on:
  • Inclement weather: Heavy snow and ice can damage the blades and strain the motor, preventing the wipers from turning on.
  • Loose wiper pivot nuts: The pivot nut connects the wipers to the transmission, so the arms won’t move if it is too loose.
  • Faulty wiper motor: Loose wiring or a shorted-out motor will prevent the wipers from working at all.
  • Burnt out fuse: The windshield wiper fuse will burn out if the motor is overloaded, and the wipers won’t get the necessary power to function.
Your mechanic will easily be able to diagnose and fix the problem with your windshield wipers. When it comes to car insurance, you can trust
Jerry
to find the coverage you need with the best savings on the market. Just download the app, enter your information, and start saving—the average Jerry user saves $887 per year!
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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