Windshield wipers are an essential safety feature in any vehicle, as they help drivers to stay safe in inclement weather. Without them, visibility is drastically reduced, putting the driver and other drivers at risk. Unfortunately, windshield wipers don’t always function properly and can start malfunctioning.
If you own a Chevy truck and have problems with your wipers, my troubleshooting guide can help you identify common problems and the best way to fix them. I detail the most common Chevy truck windshield wiper problems and the best ways to address them. Whether your wipers leave streaks or not parking, my guide will help you diagnose and fix the issue quickly and easily.
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Common Chevy Truck Windshield Wiper Problems & Solutions
Problem 1: The Blade Movement Is Slow
You switch on the wiper blades but notice that they can barely complete an arc. If the wiper movement is slow, the wipers will be largely ineffective in clearing up the windshield. So, you have to look into the underlying reason for the blade’s slow movement and resolve it.
Solution
Before you go looking for problems, you need to make sure that the blades are actually moving slower than they are supposed to. If the windshield is not wet enough, the blades will not move freely, and it’s normal.
When the windshield is dry, the wipers have to work against a higher windshield-wiper friction force. When the windshield gets wet, the liquid serves as a kind of lubricant, and the contact area between the two surfaces minimizes. As a result, the blades can move much faster.
So, before you inspect the cause of slow blade movement, conduct a simple test. Pour a water bottle on the windshield or release some wiper fluid. Now, activate the blades. If they move freely, there is no cause for concern.
However, if they still struggle to wipe, something is definitely wrong.
Is the battery supplying enough power to the wipers? Grab a volt meter and check the battery. If the battery is not fully charged, charge it, and the problem will go away. If the battery checks out fine, check the metal arms that control wiper movement.
Lubricate them to make them move faster. If you ignore the problem, the wiper movement will continue to get slower. At one point, one of the metal arms might break off. If the mechanism has become too rusty, you might have to replace it.
It could also be an issue with the wiper motor itself. Unfortunately, you can’t service a worn-out wiper motor. You will have to buy a new one.
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Problem 2: No Wiper Fluid Is Coming Out
Sometimes the wiper fluid might not come out through the nozzles. You keep turning on the nozzles but can’t see the fluid releasing. Without the fluid, you can’t clean the windshield efficiently. A handful of reasons could be responsible for it.
Solution
When the wiper fluid is not coming out, check the reservoir first. If it’s empty, refill it. Check it for cracks and ensure that the fluid is not leaking out. Check the windshield washer hose too. If there are leaks on it, the fluid will leak out before reaching the nozzles.
Finally, inspect the nozzles. Take a small pin and run it through each nozzle to unclog them. Often they get blocked by dust, debris, and snow. Make sure that the nozzles are all cleared up. The fluid stream should return to normal afterward.
Problem 3: The Wipers Are Not Moving At All
If the wipers are completely irresponsive, it indicates a more serious problem. If the wipers have been working perfectly fine until then, it’s unlikely to be a wiper mechanism issue. The metal arm movement would gradually decline before coming to a halt eventually.
Solution
So, it could be a dead battery issue. If the battery is working fine, check the wiper motor. Perhaps the fuse might have blown out. Thankfully, Chevy labels its fuses. So you can easily find the wiper fuse and check it.
A far less ominous explanation for your wiper blades inactivity could be a frosted windshield. If your windshield gets frozen, the wiper blades will come to a standstill. Put your truck on defrost mode and allow the ice around your wiper blades to melt away.
Problem 4: The Blades Are Not Parking
When your wiper blades park, they return to the position they were when they were not operational. That means they will return to the base of the windshield. If the blades don’t park, they will stay in the same position they were when you turned them off.
As you can imagine, this can be a nuisance. Especially if the blades stop in the middle of the windshield and block your view. Yes, you can wait for them to complete an arc and switch them off the moment they reach the resting position to wipe. But you didn’t sign up for this hassle, did you?
Solution
Look at the parking lever switch first. If it’s not adjusted properly, the blades will not park. If the problem persists after adjusting the parking lever switch, the problem lies in the wiper control switch. There’s not much you can do about a faulty wiper control switch other than replace it.
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Why Are My Windshield Wipers Malfunctioning?
There could be many reasons for your wiper blades to malfunction. They might need to be cleaned up or replaced. Sometimes the blades themselves could be fine, but the problem would stem from an underlying issue, like a faulty wiper motor or control switch.
How Do I Reset My Windshield Wipers?
Remove the wiper arm from the wiper arm and reconnect them. Now turn them on and complete some wipe cycles. The wipers should be reset now.
Final Opinion
When it comes to having windshield wiper problems, prevention is the key. Regularly servicing and maintaining your wipers can save you a lot of trouble and prevent bigger issues from arising.
If you catch a small problem early, it is likely easy to fix and won’t require more than a few minutes of your time. However, if problems are allowed to get worse or left unattended, you may need more complex repairs or replacements.
By taking the time to take care of your wipers proactively, you can save time, money, and headaches.
