I drive a 2002 Mazda Protege 5 and today as I was driving home I tried turning on the wipers and they did not work. They didn't do anything, but I heard some kind of motor sound, some sound that seemed as if it was trying to make the wipers work, but did not work.
I've been told by friends it might be a fuse, but I don't think it's that. What could the problem be, and how much do I expect to spend on this to get fixed?
2006-12-22 16:58:43 · 13 answers · asked by luvluv_86 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
well, if you heard a sound, i doubt it's a fuse. i'd have to look at it to tell you more...it would probably be pretty cheap to have a reputable shop fix it.
2006-12-22 17:07:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOU CAN HEAR THE MOTOR RUNNING THEN IT'S GETTING POWER AND DEFINITELY NOT A FUSE PROBLEM.I WOULD FIRST CHECK TO SEE THAT THERE IS NOTHING BLOCKING THE WIPERS FROM MOVING AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE NOT HUNG UP ON EACH OTHER. IF ALL IS CLEAR THEN REMOVE THE PLASTIC CAPS AT THE END OF THE WIPER ARMS. THERE IS A NUT THAT HOLDS THE ARM TO THE SHAFT...ONE PER SIDE...CHECK TO MAKE SURE THOSE NUTS ARE TIGHT. THEY WILL PROBABLY FEEL TIGHT BY HAND SO USE A WRENCH OR RACHET AND SOCKET TO MAKE BUT TRY NOT TO OVER TIGHTEN. IF THEY STILL DON'T WORK,LOOSEN ONE OF THE NUTS AND REMOVE ONE OF THE WIPER ARMS.TURN WIPERS BACK ON AND LOOK TO SEE IF THE SHAFT IS MOVING. IF IT IS NOT THEN IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE LINKAGE THAT CONNECTS THE SHAFTS TO THE MOTOR HAS COME LOOSE.THAT MAY COST YOU A LITTLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO REMOVE THE COWLING TO FIX BUT IT REALLY SHOULDN'T COST MUCH...IF THE SHAFTS ARE TURNING THEN THE WIPER ARMS ARE STRIPPED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. DON'T FEEL ALONE... THIS IS A PRETTY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE WINTER WHEN WIPERS ARE USED TO REMOVE ICE...
2006-12-22 17:30:44 · answer #2 · answered by yourboytee 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the "transmission" for the wiper blades has some broken gears.
From what you are saying about the electric motor noise when you turn on the wipers, I think you need a new "transmission" rack. If you or someone you know is mechanically inclined, you can get these from the wrecking yard and install them yourself without too much difficulty.
Otherwise, the shop will charge you parts and labor and it will be much more expensive than doing it yourself.
Hope you can find someone to help you...
2006-12-22 17:42:44 · answer #3 · answered by bogey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always be careful taking your car to the stealers (dealers), unless you know of an honest one.
Too many (imo) will overcharge you and also find non-existant faults, or "sex-up" minor easy to fix faults.
Specialists (eg Mazda served mechnaics who've set up their own garage) usually are much more honest, cheaper (not the same kind of overheads and no kicking up profits to headoffice), and benefit of experience working on your car, instead of some trainee at the stealers.
The fuse is the first thing I'd check too. If not it could be the motor unit to power the windsceen wipers - or check nothing has fallen in (twigs) which might be affecting the windscreen wipers themselves... and around the motor unit. If you can find the part (Haynes manual or whatever) you can also try and source it yourself for fitting, (power of online).
Good luck. I'm fitting new fuse tomorrow to fix my cigarette lighter (which i use to power/charge my sat nav).
2006-12-22 17:10:10 · answer #4 · answered by Joe Bloggs 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You probably had one of the plastic connectors on the wiper transmission break. If it didn't bend the linkage you should be able to just purchase the broken piece. Some manufacturers only sell the entire assembly which is pretty expensive. Any decent mechanic should be able to fix this and of course the dealer can as well. We occasionally put in a used assembly but I would hesitate on a 2002 unless you have alot of miles or intend to sell it in the near future.
2006-12-22 17:20:22 · answer #5 · answered by Shawn M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you heard the motor i would try lifting up the little cover at the bottom of the wiper arm and make sure the little 13mm nuts are tight.
if they are not tight the motor will move but the arms wont.
hope this helps.
2006-12-22 18:21:00 · answer #6 · answered by bazzastocking 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a 13mm nut at the end of the wiper arms that sometimes they come loose and need to be retighting.the nut is under a small cover that hides the nut
2006-12-23 02:09:15 · answer #7 · answered by forgivealot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like it's the wiper motor not to hard to change.look under the hood just below the windshield
2006-12-22 17:53:39 · answer #8 · answered by lost in space 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it sounds like the link arm has disconnected itself ..lift up bonnet switch on ignition ..then wipers ..looknear windscreen area ..hopefully youl see and hear the motor going round ..if you can see it ..look for the link arm it should be easy to see ..it should have a male and female connector ..push them together .all should be well ..if it does it again ..replace arm .. should not be twenty quid
2006-12-22 19:15:27 · answer #9 · answered by boy boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tie 2 pieces of string to the wipiers and put the string through the windows
when you are driving and its raining, tell your passenger to hold the strings and rotate his or her arms and your wipers will work without spending a penny
Try putting a new fuse in
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Germany
2006-12-22 17:12:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
if you are hearing a buzz it ain't the fuse go to a garage with a good reputation and you should be sound with out too much cash being spent
your hair looks nice you gonna give me 10 ??
2006-12-22 17:12:29 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋