Wipers Only Work on High Speed – Need Help Diagnosing!

Technical Issues
1

Introduction

I’ve been having an issue with my windshield wipers lately, and I could really use some advice from those who’ve dealt with similar problems.

The Problem

My wipers only seem to work on the highest speed setting. Whenever I try to switch them to the lower speeds, nothing happens. Given that this seems to be a common issue, I’m hoping to gather some insights on what could be causing this and how I can potentially fix it.

Possible Causes

I’m considering a few possibilities:

  • Wiper Motor Failure: Could it be that the motor is only partially functional? I’ve heard this can sometimes happen.
  • Electrical Issues: Maybe there’s a wiring problem or a fuse that’s been blown? I don’t have much experience with automotive wiring, so I wouldn’t know where to start checking.
  • Switch Malfunction: Is it possible that the switch itself is faulty? If it only activates the high speed, that seems like a likely culprit.

What I’ve Tried

So far, I’ve checked the fuse related to the wiper system, and it seems fine. I also looked at the wiper arms to ensure they aren’t clogged or damaged, but everything appears normal there. I haven’t attempted any major disassembly yet, as I want to gather some more information before jumping into that.

Seeking Advice

If anyone has experienced similar issues or has any suggestions on where to look next, I would really appreciate your input. Are there specific tests or checks I can do to narrow down the issue? Any diagrams or manuals that might be helpful would also be great.

Conclusion

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I’m eager to hear your experiences and any tips you have! Hopefully, we can figure out what’s going wrong with my wipers together.

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Hey everyone, my wipers are only working on high speed too! I think it might be a bad relay. Anyone had similar issues?

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That’s a strong possibility! I’ve read that faulty relays are a common culprit when wipers only function on high. Maybe check the fuse box?

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Another thing to check is the wiper switch itself. If it’s worn out or damaged, that could cause it to malfunction. Has anyone tested their switch?

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I believe the motor could be partially failing too. If it’s only working on high speed, sometimes the motor is struggling to operate on lower settings.

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I haven’t but it sounds like a good idea. It could definitely help narrow down the issue!

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Supportive here, I had the same issue! Replacing the relay solved it for me. From my experience, it’s a less expensive fix too!

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Good point! I’ve heard that can happen. A motor repair can often be pricey though, so I hope it’s not that!

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You could also consider corrosion on the connections. It can be sneaky and might not be immediately visible until you dig deeper.

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True! Sometimes just cleaning the connections can bring things back to normal.

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If it helps, I once fixed a wiper issue with a good smack on the dash! Not the most reliable method, but it worked temporarily!

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Haha, classic! But hey, if it works… sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do!

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Reflecting on this, I wonder if a combination of factors could be at play. Might be worth checking each possible issue thoroughly!

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Absolutely! A holistic approach will definitely help identify the root cause.

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This is one of those odd car issues! In my experience, so many systems can affect the wipers. Good luck with the diagnosis!

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True that! Cars can be a real puzzle sometimes. Let’s hope it’s an easy fix!

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Last thought: If you’re not comfortable troubleshooting it yourself, it might be best to take it to a mechanic. They can diagnose it faster!

1 Like
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It sounds like a common issue! Start by checking the fuses related to your wipers. According to your manual, there should be a fuse labeled for them. If that’s intact, we can look at other potential causes.

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That’s great advice! Sometimes a blown fuse can create weird malfunctioning. Also, make sure to test the wiper control switch mechanism next.

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Don’t forget to inspect the wiring! Frayed or disconnected wires can easily lead to issues like the wipers only functioning on high speed. A visual check can save you a lot of headaches!