Wipers Not Touching Windshield: Causes and Solutions
Windshield wipers are economical, easy to install, and really important when driving cars in rainy or windy seasons. They also last for a couple of years. Driving without a working wiper on a rainy day or on wet streets with impaired visibility because the mud and water can’t be removed from the windshield is extremely dangerous. Let’s go through the causes and fixes for windshield wipers not touching glass.
Reasons the Car Wiper is Not Touching Windshield
There are many reasons that cause windshield wipers not to touch the glass. Let’s go through them in detail.
Worn-out Rubbers
The windshield wipers stop touching glass when the rubber strip wears out. The wiper has a metallic base which functions like a bracket to hold the rubber strip, which in turn helps clean the windshield. But if there isn’t enough tension on the rubber to keep it in contact with the windshield.
The car windshield wiper blades won’t work effectively and as a result, the windshield wiper will not touch glass.
Moreover, because of prolonged usage, the rubber usually peels off and the metal parts come in contact with the glass and scratch it. Signs of worn-out rubbers include the rubber strip falling off. If you notice thinning on the strip, then have it repaired or replaced.
Another symptom of worn-out rubber is when the windshield wiper leaves a haze. This happens because of ageing windshield wipers with hard rubber that leaves spots on the windshield
Problem with Bolts
A maintained car windshield is important for driving. Another reason for a car’s windshield wiper not touching glass is because of a problem with the bolts. Tightening the wiper bolts may result in the windshield wiper missing the middle part of the glass and the wiper blade may not be cleaning any dirt or water from the glass.
The tightly fixed wiper arcs in a way that the wiper blade won’t cover the entire windshield plane.
Moreover, if the bolts are loose, the wiper blades won’t touch the glass and the wiper will work inefficiently. Upon turning the windshield wiper option, you may notice the wiper drag or make clapping sounds.
Bent Wiper Arm
Another reason why the windshield wiper is not touching the glass is a bent wiper arm. The arm bents if it isn’t attached properly. Consequently, the wiper gets loose because of continuous wear out and it can scratch the windshield glass.
Another problem that you may be dealing with is a bent wiper arm. Thoroughly inspect the arms to check for irregularities. A bent arm can make the rubber on the wiper wear off fast.
Wiggle the wiper to determine if it’s loose and take it for repairs if the problem persists.
Incorrect Wipers
Windshield wipers won’t touch glass because of this problem. In case you just replaced the wipers, check if they are the correct ones. For instance, if the windshield wipers are bigger than the required size, they may miss cleaning some areas of the glass.
Simply put, in case of incorrect wipers the windshield won’t come into contact with the wiper’s rubber. This results in missing parts and adds to the buildup.
Battery Problem
A battery problem is also among the reasons why the windshield wiper does not touch glass. If the windshield wiper moves irregularly or doesn’t move at all there could be an issue with the battery. A malfunctioning batter doesn’t supply enough power to move the car windshield wipers correctly. Here is how to maintain your car battery.
Fixes For Windshield Wiper Not Touching Glass
If your car’s windshield wipers aren’t functioning properly, here are a few common fixes for the problem.
Replace The Windshield Wipers
If you’ve installed the wrong wipers or in case, they have stopped working the easiest solution is to have them replaced. Replacing the windshield wiper helps deal with several basic problems such as improper or bent wipers or wipers with worn-out rubber.
Get the right size when going for a wiper replacement to prevent reinstalling faulty or improper wipers. To drive in icy or snowy conditions, get special wipers that have blades to withstand severe cold conditions.
Tighten The Bolts
If the wiper arm doesn’t build enough pressure, it may be because of loose wipers. Use a pair of pliers to tighten the wiper bolts and fix this problem. Do not tighten the bolt so much that the wiper arches. In this case, the blade may still not be able to touch the windscreen glass.
To tighten the bolts effectively, use a screwdriver. Push the screwdriver’s bottom under the wiper cap to remove the wiper bolt cap. Lift the screwdriver slowly till the cap comes off. Then, remove the bolt by pulling it.
After this process is done, hold the wiper arm by the bottom end and pull it out. This will result in the extension of the windshield wiper arm. Get it back in the right position and put the cap back on before finally tightening the bolt.
You can also visit the nearest auto repair shop to get the bolts tightened.
Fix The Bent Arm
It is really simple to fix a bent wiper arm. Notice and compare both windshield wipers, the one with the bend and the one without it. For the arm damaged wiper arm, all you need to do is to bend it in the opposite direction slightly. Be careful with this, putting a lot of pressure when turning or bending the arm may break it.
Then, put the wiper back on the windshield. It’s important to make sure there aren’t any gaps and that the wiper arm is touching the glass constantly to avoid a bent arm problem.
If there are gaps after you’ve reshaped the bent windshield wiper press down on the bends. This will result in the wiper shaping precisely according to the shape of the glass naturally because of the springs in the arm.
Moreover, if there are any faults or damages on the wiper metal arm metal, have it replaced. Also, focus on the windshield wiper assembly’s springs. They are elastic and can add pressure to the window.
Check The Car Battery
Battery problems can negatively impact the windshield wipers’ functionality. Problems with the car battery can cause the windscreen wipers to stop altogether or not operate with low efficiency. Check the battery for broken connections and issues.
In case the battery has broken connections, it can be fixed with liquid electrical tape. The tape holds the connections for an extended period. Moreover, a faulty car battery or alternator also causes the wiper issue.
Those were the common problems and solutions for the windshield wiper not touching glass problem. Always maintain your car windshield wipers to avoid risky situations on a rainy or windy day and have them repaired or replaced if necessary.
Besides, if you want to replace your car’s windshield, go through this list of auto accessories and parts for sale in the UAE.
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