Dodge Caravan has become the ultimate family vehicle in the US for its practicality, large seating capacity, excellent fuel economy, and enticingly low price. That said, the minivan is not without its fair share of problems. Today, we will shed light on some common Dodge Caravan windshield wiper problems.
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Common Dodge Caravan Windshield Wiper Problems & Solutions
Problem 1: The Wipers Turn On By Themselves
You are driving your Dodge Caravan on a nice, sunny day. There’s not a shred of dark clouds in the sky, so there’s no way you need to use your wipers today. Well, at least, that’s what you thought!
All of a sudden, you see the windshield wipers springing into life. You did not touch the wiper button, yet your wipers are moving back and forth across your dry windshield. Why on earth is this happening?
Solution
No, it was not a poltergeist attack! Windshield wipers can often get activated on their own for several explicable reasons. It could be bad wiring, for example. Poor wiring or faulty connections may cause windshield wipers to operate even when they are turned off.
If that’s what has happened in your case, you can try rewiring the wiper motor. Disclaimer, this is not a beginner-level DIY fix. You would need to know what you are doing underneath the hood, so if you don’t feel confident about it, I strongly advise you to seek professional help.
Or, it could be a malfunctioning rain sensor. If you have a rain sensor module installed on your Dodge Caravan, you need to make sure that the sensor is working correctly. If it’s not, it could erroneously signal the wipers to activate even if there is no rainfall. Changing the sensor is the obvious fix here.
Another place to look at would be your parking switch. What your parking switch has to do with auto-activating wipers, you ask? It’s connected to the wiper motor, so a faulty parking switch could make your wipers act up. If you find any problem with the parking switch, fix it.
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Problem 2: The Wipers Are Moving Too Fast
You can set the wiper speed of your Dodge Caravan with the multifunctional lever. Even if you choose ‘’medium’’ or ‘’low’’ settings, you notice that the wipers are moving at crazy speeds. As a result, the wiping efficiency will get compromised, and the wiper blades will wear out fast.
Solution
The wiper control module is the likeliest suspect in this case. Since the wiper control module is primarily responsible for regulating wiper speeds, you must ensure that it’s working properly. Fix the module if you find faults in it.
If the wiper control module checks out okay, turn your focus to the wiper motor. If the wiper motor malfunctions, it could run at a much higher speed than usual. So, changing the motor should restore regular wiper speed.
The wiper blades themselves can also be responsible. If the rubber coating on the wiper arms gets badly worn out, the contact area between the windshield and the wipers will decrease. That means less friction. So, the wipers will move faster than they usually do. Get a pair of new blades to remedy the situation.
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Problem 3: Loud Wipers
Windshield wiper chatter is not the most melodious sound to listen to. If your Dodge Caravan squeaks every time you turn them on, I am sure that you will not be looking forward to using them, even when you absolutely need them.
Solution
Most of the time, it’s dirty windshields and wiper blades that cause this annoying chatter. Clean them up; the noise should go away. If the wipers are still obnoxiously loud, try lubricating your wipers by pouring some washer fluid on the windshield.
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What Would Cause Windshield Wipers To Stop Working?
Your windshield wipers can stop working for many reasons. The wiper blades might get frozen in subzero temperatures, the wiper motor might have become defective, or the wiper nuts might have come loose.
How Do I Know If My Wiper Switch Or Motor Is Bad?
A malfunctioning wiper switch and motor have similar symptoms. For example, the wiper might not turn on, and they might move slower or faster than normal. However, if your vehicle’s turn signal stops working alongside malfunctioning wipers, that’s a sign that your wiper switch has gone bad. For a confirmed diagnosis, consult a mechanic.
How Do I Reset My Windshield Wipers?
Remove the wiper blades from the wiper motor. You can do this by taking off the central nut that connects the wiper arm to the motor. A socket wrench is all you need for that. Then, put the wiper blades in the resting position and reconnect the nut. Your windshield wipers should be reset.
Final Opinion
Squeaky wipers, wipers getting automatically turned on, and unusually fast wiper speed is the most common Dodge Caravan windshield wiper problems you would read about on Dodge Caravan forums. For this reason, I have highlighted these three issues and discussed potential troubleshooting measures. Hopefully, you will find this write-up to be helpful.
