Symptoms
- Grinding, straining, or labored sound when wipers are used
- Wipers may move slowly or not reach their full range
- Sound may be worse in cold weather
- Wipers may stop partway through their sweep
Likely causes
- CommonIce or snow blocking the wiper bladesFrozen blades force the motor to strain against resistance it isn't built to overcome.
- CommonWorn or binding wiper linkageCorrosion or wear in the linkage joints increases resistance the motor has to fight.
- PossibleFailing wiper motorInternal wear can cause a motor to strain and eventually fail completely.
- PossibleDebris (leaves, twigs) jammed in the wiper mechanismMaterial trapped at the base of the windshield can physically block movement.
What to do
- Never run wipers that are frozen to the windshield; clear ice first with a scraper or by letting the defroster warm the glass.
- Check under the wiper cowl area for leaves, twigs, or other debris that could be blocking movement.
- Turn wipers off immediately if you hear grinding and don't force them, to avoid burning out the motor.
- Once any ice or debris is cleared, test the wipers again to see if the noise is gone.
- Have a shop lubricate or replace worn linkage joints if the noise continues without ice or debris present.
- Replace the wiper motor if it's confirmed to be failing internally rather than the linkage.
Tools and parts
- Ice scraper
- Flashlight
Wiper motorSearch: “wiper motor for [year make model]”
Wiper linkageSearch: “wiper linkage for [year make model]”
When to call a pro
See a shop if grinding continues after clearing ice and debris, since a strained motor can burn out if used repeatedly against resistance.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.