2003 Kia Spectra Wipers Not working

[only ice]

The wipers on my sons car are not working? You turn them on and they try to start, One might go half way but then the quite. What do I check, and how?

[Jeremy airjer W]

What do you mean one might go half way?

[only ice]

Its like one will start to move, the other one dosnt buge. But it wont go all the way across and back.

[pureinsanity]

Can you hear the motor running or does it stop?

1 thing to check right away is at the base of the wiper where it mounts to the linkage; pop the cap off and see if they need tightening. Sometimes they wear out and just need a good tightening. You can take the wiper off the linkage as well and see if the groves on the post are wore out.

I had this happen on someones Chevy Cavalier. I cut a couple shims out of a pop can put them in there and cranked her down and problem solved.

another senario where the wipers started to work, and than stopped was the linkage was seizing up and the power from the wiper motor actually caused the nut that connects the motor to the linkage to spin off. The motor was working but the linkage wouldn't spin because of the nut coming loose.

Took everything apart and noticed the linkage was seized on once side. Tried to break it free with a little heat and a rubber mallet to relube it but it broke. Had to install a new linkage.

[pureinsanity]

Its like one will start to move, the other one dosnt buge. But it wont go all the way across and back.

The fact the other doesn't budge makes me think its a seized post in the linkage. You could get in there and disconnect the motor and see if you can move that one wiper by hand. its its a lot harder to move by hand than the one that moves. Id say you have a seized post on the linkage. How old is the car?

[Jeremy airjer W]

Pull the motor or at least disconnect the linkage from the motor and see if the wipers move. If they don't you'll be calling the KIA parts dept.

[only ice]

Thanks for the info guys. Car wont be back untill Monday, will try then.

[pureinsanity]

Thanks for the info guys. Car wont be back untill Monday, will try then.

Napa or Oriley will have an after market linkage for ya, they will most likely have to ship it from another location which will take a few days. Only go to the dealer if you have to.

for instance one car I fixed I could have gotten a linkage for 70 dollars at napa. But it would have taken 7 days to get here. I had the whole wipers out and the plastic shroud out to replace it so I called the dealer and they had it in hand so I went and got it but payed 120 for it. I didn't feel like putting everything back together and waiting a few days to get a part and take everything apart again.

that is the only reason I went to the dealer.