Winscreen wipers just stopped working

xalot

Was driving my Toyota Carina in the rain yesterday when my wipers just froze halfway across my windscreen and won't budge. I can move them manually but apart from that there's no life in them.

I'm based in Dublin city and need the car for travelling next weekend. Has anyone any ideas of whether it's something I can (easily!) fix myself or is it something that's going to cost me a small fortune.

Would appreciate any info or suggestions, cheers

jimmyw

check the fuse.Or disconnected linkage.

xalot

jimmyw wrote: »

check the fuse.Or disconnected linkage.

I should have mentioned that i'm not at all engine savvy. I checked the fuse box but am not sure what I should be looking for.

greglo23

There are fuses under the bonnet but there are more fuses near the accelerator pedal so check those too !

Mysticalman

xalot wrote: »

Was driving my Toyota Carina in the rain yesterday when my wipers just froze halfway across my windscreen and won't budge. I can move them manually but apart from that there's no life in them.

I'm based in Dublin city and need the car for travelling next weekend. Has anyone any ideas of whether it's something I can (easily!) fix myself or is it something that's going to cost me a small fortune.

Would appreciate any info or suggestions, cheers

It happened to my wifes car. I tried changing the fuse but no joy. Ended up it was the wiper motor. I got one in the breakers yard and fitted it in half an hour. Cost me 50 euro. Relatively easy to fit yourself. Best of luck.

jimmyw

Ah fuses are not hard to check, they usually have them marked on the cover to tell which controls what.If one is broken, you should see the broken link in the fuse if you put it up to the light.If it keeps blowing (thats it breaks again) then there is a short circuit or other fault and would need more professional help then.........................As maybe you might too maybe;)

xalot

jimmyw wrote: »

...................As maybe you might too maybe;)

Looks like it! Is it likely that most garages would have the parts in stock and finished by the weekend?
Thanks for all the replies

Avns1s

It'll be an easy enough fix but I would suspect any parts will have to come from Toyota or a breakers.

IMO it sounds like the linkage. If it was the motor, then it would be very difficult to move the wipers by hand. If u listen closely (with the engine off) can you hear anything from the motor? Ign in on position of course.

xalot

Avns1s wrote: »

It'll be an easy enough fix but I would suspect any parts will have to come from Toyota or a breakers.

IMO it sounds like the linkage. If it was the motor, then it would be very difficult to move the wipers by hand. If u listen closely (with the engine off) can you hear anything from the motor? Ign in on position of course.

Ok so bit the bullet and took a look at the linkage as I could hear the motor was running and found a loose bolt which I tightened and hey presto all good....only issue is....

when I went to put back on the wipers they won't sit properly, I put them back where they would usually be and tighten the screw but when I turn them on they rotate too low and get stuck in the gate of the bonnet and when I set them higher the rotation finishes too high (in my line if vision) no matter where I start them it's not right...any ideas as to what I've done wrong

I'll never make a mechanic!

Avns1s

xalot wrote: »

Ok so bit the bullet and took a look at the linkage as I could hear the motor was running and found a loose bolt which I tightened and hey presto all good....only issue is....

when I went to put back on the wipers they won't sit properly, I put them back where they would usually be and tighten the screw but when I turn them on they rotate too low and get stuck in the gate of the bonnet and when I set them higher the rotation finishes too high (in my line if vision) no matter where I start them it's not right...any ideas as to what I've done wrong

I'll never make a mechanic!

If it was a case of just needing to tighten the bolt then the right position must be there somewhere.

You could try repositioning the wipers on their pinions when you have the bolt tightened in one or other position. Find which one works best.

To be honest, when positioning like this, there can be a little bit of trial and error involved.

Let us know what the outcome was.

xalot

Ok so got a friends brother to take a look at it for me and when I put the screw back on the linkage I put it on in the wrong position and it was throwing the wipers off (or something) anyway he sorted it in 5 mins so am happy out.
The car is being replaced soon anyway but delighted it'll last another couple of weeks.

thanks for all the helpful advice,if nothing else I have learned a little more about how a car works!