Chevy Equinox Windshield Wipers Stopped Working?

Chevy Equinox has never been the fastest one among its peers. But its satisfactory fuel economy, stable control, and generous interior space have made it a popular family car in the United States. 

The wipers on these SUVs can give you trouble over time, however. If you are reading this because your Chevy Equinox windshield wipers have stopped working, and you are trying to figure out how to get them working again, you have come to the right place.

Based on my experience working on several Chevy Equinox models, I’ll tell you what possible wiper complications you might have to deal with in your Equinox. What do you need to do about them? My write-up will cover that as well. 

But before I begin, I must inform you that General Motors has issued recalls for hundreds of thousands of Chevy Equinox units for wiper module defects. Contact your nearby GM dealer to find out whether your car fits the bill or not. 

Read More: Chevy Cruze Windshield Wiper Problems

Chevy Equinox Windshield Wipers Stopped Working? Here’s What You Should Do!

2015 Chevy Equinox Windshield Wipers Stopped Working Because The Wiper Assembly Got Loose 

When the wipers suddenly stop working, we tend to fear the worst. The wiper motor must have died, or the wipers are damaged for good. Yes, those are very likely possibilities. However, sometimes the underlying reason could be way more innocuous. 

I checked the wiper switch and the motor. Everything seemed fine. Then, I tried moving the wipers up and down with my hand. As I had suspected, it was pretty easy to do so. This meant either the wiper transmissions had broken off, or the wiper arm connection to the linkage had become loose. 

After a quick inspection of the wiper arm base, I found the nut that connects it to the wiper arm linkage has worn off. 

Solution 

If the retaining nut wears off, you need to get a new one. Try to fasten it first. Sometimes it just becomes loose, and tightening it with a spanner should get the job done. However, if the splined wiper arm connection gets damaged, you are looking at a full wiper arm replacement. If the tapered splined spindle is compromised, you will have to get a new wiper transmission. 

2014 Chevy Equinox Wipers Stopped Working Because Of Wiper Motor Failure 

A wiper motor on its last legs might not show any symptoms before suffering a sudden death. A few years back, a client brought in a 2014 Chevy Equinox that’s wipers went out of order without any warning. After ruling out all other possible scenarios, I came to the decision that the wiper motor had met its demise. 

Solution 

After you diagnose a dead wiper motor, the only thing you can do is get a new one. Any repairing attempts will bring about temporary results at best. 

2016 Chevy Equinox Wipers Stopped Working Because Of Wiper Switch Failure 

If the wiper switch stops working, the wiper commands will not relay to the wiper motor. How can you tell that it’s the wiper switch rather than the wiper motor that’s responsible for wipers coming to a standstill? There’s a pretty simple trick, 

The turning lights are closely associated with the wiper lever. So, if the turning signals stop working alongside the wipers, that would indicate a wiper switch issue. That’s how I diagnosed a faulty wiper switch in a 2016 Chevy Equinox. 

Solution 

Install a new wiper switch. Again, trying to repair the wiper switch instead of a full-on replacement might not yield long-term results. If you don’t want a stopgap measure, you should get a completely new wiper switch. 

2010 Chevy Equinox Windshield Wipers Stopped Working Because Of Torn Blades 

A 2010 Chevy Equinox came in with wiper issues. The threadbare wipers gave away what was causing the problem, but just to be 100% sure, I checked the wiper switch, the motor, and the switch. After the inspection, I became 100% convinced that the worn-out wiper blades were beyond their expiration date. 

Solution 

I got a new pair of wiper blades, and the wipers started working again. The problem required little technical knowledge to be solved. 

2012 Chevy Equinox Windshield Wipers Stopped Working Because Of A Blown Fuse 

I worked on a 2012 Chevy Equinox that had all the classic signs of a motor burn out. However, I looked at the wiper motor fuse before getting a new motor. Guess what? The fuse was toast! It was good news for the owner since she did not have to pay for a way more expensive wiper motor. 

Solution 

All I needed was a new fuse to save the day. After putting in the new fuse, the wipers started working as if nothing had happened. 

Read More: Honda Accord Windshield Wipers Not Working

Final Opinion 

When you are having Chevy Equinox windshield wiper problems, you must first check whether or not your vehicle qualifies for a recall. If it doesn’t, you should find the solution in the case studies I’ve shared above.