Windshield wiper stopped working.

[Doggiedog]

One side of my windshield wipers stopped working in a torrential downpour last night. Its been raining since so I haven't had a chance to take a look at it but it is hanging loose on one side.

I was wondering if it would be a simple fix such as replacing a rusted screw or bolt or something more complex like replacing a motor.

The car is a 95 BMW 325i.

Thanks.

 

[Analog]

Typically, a single motor drives both, so if one is working, then it may just be the linkage. Open the hood and see if the links are intact, or if one is dangling etc.

 

[tomyhill598]

I am assuming that they dont move at all, so by going further...since they dont move at all, what happens when you try and turn them on? Is there any irregular noises when you do, such as a whine or clicking noises?

 

[tomyhill598]

Haha...the Fiero. You should buy a Countach kit, and make it a Lamborghini!

 

[Doggiedog]

One side works the other side just conked out. The working side is making clicking sounds once in a while though. I wonder if this was all caused by the cheap Costco wipers I bought. Maybe they didn't fit right and caused some resistance or something.

I haven't had time to take a look inside though since its been raining really hard. I got absolutely drenched yesterday. It was as if I took a shower in my clothes.

 

[tomyhill598]

Damn...you must be in WV from the sounds of it. When you get a chance or when it stops raining - Since one side is working, check to see if there are dual motors, or if its a single motor, check one side of the wiper arm (in engine compartment) fell off. That arm connects both wipers so they both move. I am more Chevy/Ford/Mopar oriented, but they cant be that different.

 

[Doggiedog]

No I'm in NYC but it was unbelievable yesterday. I was leaving an outdoor parking lot at around 9PM and putting my ticket and credit card into the automated machine with a driving rain coming in horizontally. It was almost like taking a shower with my clothes on. And with my luck, the parking machine was defective. It kept rejecting all my credit cards. After about 2 minutes with the window open and now completely drenched I gave up went to the parking office dripping wet bitched them out and had them tell me "oh yeah, you shouldn't have used that one. That one is broken use the other one" Maybe if they put a sign there I wouldn't have.

Anyway, so I got out and was driving my sister back, she asked me if the car has been reliable. I said for the most part besides neglect it's been ok. Then as Murphy's law would have it not a minute later, the wiper goes. Oh well.