Windshield wipers

[IHateMyJob2004]

Why don't window wipers finish last wipe when car is turned off?

They stay in the position they were in when the car was turned off.

Widnows still work, radio stays on. Widnshield wipers get stuck in strange position.

 

[LTC8K6]

My 2008 Jeep parks the wipers every time. Front and back.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Because wipers are generally not wired into the accessory circuit like the windows and the radio since there's no reason why they can't be left mid-swipe with the car off.

ZV

 

[DominionSeraph]

So you can change them.
I need to open my door to get mine to stick, though.

 

[nerp]

Mine park themselves when I cut power. They also turn off if they're frozen in place in the winter soothe motor doesn't burn out

 

[LTC8K6]

So you can change them.
I need to open my door to get mine to stick, though.

Mine flip out to change them, so it's easy to do when they are parked.

 

[dawp]

Because wipers are generally not wired into the accessory circuit like the windows and the radio since there's no reason why they can't be left mid-swipe with the car off.

ZV

except during the winter.

 

[dawp]

Mine flip out to change them, so it's easy to do when they are parked.

I can change mine when in the park position.

I haven't had a car in years that had the wipers park below the hood, those would have to be changed with the arms on the windshield. Are there any cars that park the wipers under the hood anymore? In the 70's there were a number like that.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Because wipers are generally not wired into the accessory circuit like the windows and the radio since there's no reason why they can't be left mid-swipe with the car off.

ZV

except during the winter.

That is the best time to leave them up; Place a large towel under them to keep windshield clean of any accumulation

 

[LTC8K6]

That is the best time to leave them up; Place a large towel under them to keep windshield clean of any accumulation

Tend to get ice here. That would be a disaster under 1/4" of ice.

 

[Zenmervolt]

except during the winter.

Wipers ice up whether parked or mid-swipe. Though I can see not wanting them to try to park when they're iced up and you start the car.

Still, I've literally never shut off the car with my wipers still on. It's automatic to hit the wiper stalk before switching off the ignition.

ZV

 

[Throckmorton]

Forget that. I want to know why they start wiping before water starts spraying, causing dry dirt to be scraped across the surface of your windshield leaving scratches.

 

[LTC8K6]

Forget that. I want to know why they start wiping before water starts spraying, causing dry dirt to be scraped across the surface of your windshield leaving scratches.

Mine don't do that. I have rain sensing wipers, so they don't move until enough washer fluid hits the windshield to trigger them.

 

[Topweasel]

Wipers ice up whether parked or mid-swipe. Though I can see not wanting them to try to park when they're iced up and you start the car.

Still, I've literally never shut off the car with my wipers still on. It's automatic to hit the wiper stalk before switching off the ignition.

ZV

I think that's the key the OP is missing it doesn't matter if the car parks them or left it mid swipe. If it freezes up and you left the wipers on its still going to try to move the wipers while frozen. Guess the one advantage is that it gives you a chance before starting the car to turn the wipers off if you forgot and they are already parked. If they stay mid swipe your SOL no matter what.

Better to turn them off as your parking before you turn off the ignition.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I think that's the key the OP is missing it doesn't matter if the car parks them or left it mid swipe. If it freezes up and you left the wipers on its still going to try to move the wipers while frozen. Guess the one advantage is that it gives you a chance before starting the car to turn the wipers off if you forgot and they are already parked. If they stay mid swipe your SOL no matter what.

Better to turn them off as your parking before you turn off the ignition.

And that would be exactly what I already said.

ZV

 

[EagleKeeper]

Because wipers are generally not wired into the accessory circuit like the windows and the radio since there's no reason why they can't be left mid-swipe with the car off.

ZV

except during the winter.

That is the best time to leave them up; Place a large towel under them to keep windshield clean of any accumulation

Tend to get ice here. That would be a disaster under 1/4" of ice.

Ice never gets to windshield. When I travel to winter climates, I take a hand towel of hotel and wrap the blades. Then a large bath towel on the glass.

Come AM, peel off towels, toss in bathtub, get my coffee and head out. Vehicle us warm, windshield clear and wipers clean.

Disclaimer:
Vehicle sits in an attached garage with vented warm air when home in Colorado winter

 

[EagleKeeper]

Forget that. I want to know why they start wiping before water starts spraying, causing dry dirt to be scraped across the surface of your windshield leaving scratches.

Washer and wiper motors are on same power circuit. Delay is in building pressure in fluid lines.

 

[Topweasel]

And that would be exactly what I already said.

ZV

No you implied that. There is a difference.

 

[DominionSeraph]

Mine don't do that. I have rain sensing wipers, so they don't move until enough washer fluid hits the windshield to trigger them.

Well that sounds like a stupid design. It links a standard function to a luxury item. If the rain sensing function goes out, I doubt it's smart enough to detect it and change its behavior. You'd have to fumble with a two-step operation of triggering the fluid and turning on the wipers.

 

[Zenmervolt]

No you implied that. There is a difference.

No, when I said, "I can see not wanting them to try to park when they're iced up and you start the car," I said it. That's not implying, that's stating outright that the issue is the motor automatically trying to park the wipers as soon as you start the car.

ZV

 

[Topweasel]

No, when I said, "I can see not wanting them to try to park when they're iced up and you start the car," I said it. That's not implying, that's stating outright that the issue is the motor automatically trying to park the wipers as soon as you start the car.

ZV

Ok then we are saying something completely different. I said it doesn't really matter if its parked or not because if you left the wipers on your in the same boat (with the rare exception of someone realizing that they left the wipers on prior to starting the car). I thought you were implying that it doesn't make a difference either way, so I expanded and said it didn't. But yes if you want to take it the way you said it, then you are right on your last post, but completely wrong on your first one. I didn't parrot you either way.

 

[LTC8K6]

DP

 

[LTC8K6]

Well that sounds like a stupid design. It links a standard function to a luxury item. If the rain sensing function goes out, I doubt it's smart enough to detect it and change its behavior. You'd have to fumble with a two-step operation of triggering the fluid and turning on the wipers.

I can turn the rain-sense off in such a case, and then they revert to regular dumb operation. :biggrin: