Clearwater Area Kia Offers Windshield Wiper Problem Troubleshooting

Apr 8, 2013

If you can’t see out your windshield, you can’t drive safely. Your windshield wipers play an important role in ensuring visibility when the weather is less than ideal. A dirty windshield or one that is covered in rain, snow or ice all increase your risks for being involved in a car accident. If you try to spray windshield wiper fluid on your windshield and discover your wipers are not working properly, try the following trouble shooting tips from your Clearwater area Kia dealer:

Do You Have Enough Windshield Washer Fluid?

The first step to troubleshooting windshield wiper issues is to check that your washer fluid tank actually has fluid it in. The most common reason you can’t get the fluid to spray on your windshield is because you’ve run out of it! Open the hood of your car and look for your windshield wiper fluid reservoir. They’re usually easy to spot, but if you can’t find it, check the owner’s manual to find out where it is located.

If you have to refill your fluid, make sure you “prime” your windshield wipers if they don’t work immediately. Sometimes you will need to press and release the button a few times in a row in order to get the liquid flowing back through the tank into the lines that carry it to your windshield.

Scrub the Wiper Nozzle Area

Sometimes the nozzle of the windshield wiper becomes clogged from dirt. Use an old toothbrush and scrub the nozzle area to remove any dirt that may have built up. You can also use a can of compressed air, such as those used to clean a computer keyboard, to spray the dirt out.

Pump or Fuse Needs Replacing

If there is no sound when you push the button to spray windshield wiper fluid, it could be the fuse needs to be replaced or the washer pump itself needs to be replaced. Start by checking your car’s owner’s manual to see where the fuse box is and where the windshield wiper pump fuse is. Replace the fuse and try the spray button – if there is still no noise and no spray, you probably need to bring your car to a service station to have the washer pump replaced.

Clean the Fluid Reservoir Tank

The tank under the hood that holds the washer fluid can get built up with algae or dirt. Removing the reservoir tank to clean it can sometimes help the fluid move from the tank to the windshield wipers.