Sometimes the buildup of ice, snow, and other debris is what causes windshield wipers to slow down or become misaligned over time. Clearing away everything in their path will allow you to realign them.
Depending on the model of vehicle, you might have to put the rod in place by either lifting it up from by the engine or lowering it down from the underside of the hood and sticking it in a hole that holds the tip in place. Some more modern vehicle hoods might stay in place without the use of a rod. Check your vehicle’s manual before you proceed to see if there are any instructions for your specific model of vehicle regarding stuck windshield wipers. The general process for fixing stuck windshield wipers on many vehicles is the same, but it’s always a good idea to see if you can find additional info.
This will allow you to access the windshield cleaning fluid’s line to disconnect it as well as remove the plastic cover that protects the wiper transmission. Remember that this process may vary depending on the make and model of vehicle. There may be certain steps that don’t apply or parts that are located in different areas.
You have to remove the wipers to pull off the plastic cover that protects the wiper motor assembly and transmission. In some models of vehicles, you might only have to remove the driver’s side wiper.
There are usually about 3-4 of these caps. Make sure you remove them along the entire length to expose all the bolts that hold the plastic cover in place.
If you encounter any resistance when trying to pull the cover off, double-check that you removed all the bolts. If you have done so, it won’t be hard to lift out of place.
Some vehicle models might have another set of plastic trays that cover the transmission. If you don’t see the mechanical parts yet, try to pull off any other plastic covers that you see to find them. They might be held in place by another plastic clip of some sort that you need to pry up.
Over time, this tab can get bent down or away, which is the main reason wipers get stuck in the upright position. When the transmission catches on this tab properly, it reverses direction and returns the wipers to the down position.
The number of times you need to hit the tab depends on how bent it is. Keep tapping it carefully back into place until it looks like the transmission will catch on it.
If the transmission is still not catching, keep using your hammer and screwdriver to tap the tab a bit closer to the transmission and test it again until it catches on the tab when the wipers are off. Note that you are doing this before you reattach the wipers. You are just testing out the mechanical parts of the transmission to verify that you have made sufficient adjustments before putting it all back together.
The caps protect the bolts from the elements so they don’t rust, so it’s important to put them back on.
If the windshield wiper blades are old and worn out, this is a good time to replace them with new ones before you start using them again.
If the wipers are resting in a partially-upright position, you might not have connected them at the right angle. To fix this, remove them again when they are in the resting position and reattach them so they are fully in the down position when the wipers are turned off. If the wipers are still not resting in the down position when they are turned off, there might be an electrical issue or another problem. If this is the case, take your car to have a mechanic check it out and find a solution.
