It’s frustrating when the rain pours down and you discover that your windscreen wipers just aren’t up to the challenge – leaving you with blurry vision or irritating noises to deal with. From patches to smears, wipers that will not turn off or squeaky wipers after replacement, find out common wiper problems and how to sort them.
1. My wipers don’t wash some areas
If your wipers miss patches, it might be because the wiper blade linkage is damaged or the pressure of the wiper has decreased. You should change your wiper blades for a good quality brand which delivers good blade-to-surface pressure across the design. Wipers are a safety item, so it’s worth investing in a suitable set which clear the windscreen evenly.
2. My wipers are slow
When windscreen wipers are slow, it may be caused by a problem with the wiper motor. Sometimes the mechanical components inside the motor are clogged and it can impact the motor speed. If you experience this, you should contact a garage as soon as possible. They can then check the wiper motor and other components that may be causing the problem.
3. My wipers make streaks
If your wipers are making streaks, it’s probably due to a deformed wiper rubber, a worn linkage or wiper arm. Wipers that have high-grade rubber element are best able to deliver streak-free performance. You should change your wiper blades for a good quality option.
4. My wipers are squeaking or juddering
If you’re experiencing the annoying problem of noisy wipers, there are a few things you can try. Some oil, wax, dirt or grease on your windshield may be preventing the blade from properly wiping the water. Clean the windscreen thoroughly with soapy water and glass cleaner, and also clean the wipers with alcohol wipers or alcohol solution on a paper towel.
If this doesn’t get rid of the noise, then you may need to adjust the position of the wiper blades to make sure they’re not gripping too tightly and are able to glide freely.
5. My windscreen wipers will not work
If the windshield wipers don’t move at all, it’s probably an electrical problem. Sometimes it means that a fuse has blown. But a fuse will only burn out if there is an overload of power. You should contact a mechanic to check the cause of the electrical issue and fix it quickly to avoid any further damage to other components of your vehicle.
6. My windscreen wipers will not turn off
If your wipers will not shut off, it’s probably a malfunctioning of the steering column control switch or the relay unit, or the rain sensor (if fitted). The switch & relay are responsible for breaking the electrical circuit to the wiper motor, so if either one malfunctions, the wipers will not stop when you turn the switch off. You need to have the electics checked professionally to diagnose and then fix the issue.
How to avoid problems with wipers
Don’t wait until it’s too late to replace your wiper blades. Good visibility is a safety priority and patches or smears can be extremely dangerous – especially when driving at night.
Aim to fit quality wipers once a year, even if you don’t use them very often. Bad windscreen wipers or cheap wiper blades can not only be ineffective but could even damage your windscreen. Rips or tears or poor fitting can result in a scratched windscreen surface.
Keep your wiper fluid reservoir topped up with screen wash and you could even consider treating your windscreen with a water repellent. There are a few products on the market that repel water and make it easier for your blades to glide smoothly across the windscreen.
