So My Windshield Wipers Stopped Working Today

Hambone1 · 05-26-2011, 12:18 AM

Very scary situation. I was on I-90 in Seattle, pouring rain, and my windshield wipers stop cold. My windshield almost immediately becomes soaked to the point where visibility is next to nothing, and I'm looking out my side window for a wide spot to pull over. After 5 minutes of frantically doing just about everything one can do with the wiper stalk, including hitting the washers in hopes that it might initiate the wipers back up, I found a wide enough stretch of shoulder where I wasn't at risk, and as I pulled over, my wipers fired back up. I tentatively drove to a nearby parking lot, checked for blown fuses, obvious shorts, etc, in the pouring rain, and finding none, took it to the dealership. I got the usual "could not replicate the situation" and they seem to be working fine again. Has this ever happened to anyone else?

karotZ · 05-26-2011, 12:30 AM

I have not seen this type of issue before. I would definitely take a video of it (while being careful in driving) when it happens again so you can show them.

Hambone1 · 05-26-2011, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karotZ

I have not seen this type of issue before. I would definitely take a video of it (while being careful in driving) when it happens again so you can show them.

To be honest, I had about a 2x2" gap in the water on my windshield just to the left of my rearview mirror, which I could kind of see out of, video was the last thing on my mind. In a perfect world I would have, but I was worried about winding up as a hood ornament

iceman21_23 · 05-26-2011, 01:08 AM

drive faster water just beads off at speed haha.

cruzmisl · 05-26-2011, 01:55 AM

Well, along those lines...you could start using rainx on the windshield for peace of mind. Granted, that **** is annoying when it wears down unevenly, but it does work well if you are on the ball with reapplying it regularly.

essixx · 05-26-2011, 02:23 AM

Just use the Rain-x windshield washer fluid. Applies itself whenever you hit the windshield washer. I think it works great. Then you don't have to worry about uneven application.

USMCASA · 05-26-2011, 07:06 AM

i'm starting to think you've got gremlins... or a flood car

TreeSemdyZee · 05-26-2011, 08:07 AM

My guess is some water got into the electronics of the wipers and temporarily shorted them out. Hopefully it's just a once-in-a-lifetime issue.

Hambone1 · 05-26-2011, 08:10 AM

That's what I'm hoping is the case, it's very unnerving regardless. Rain-X was the first thing I bought on my way home, although I'm pretty sure that with how hard it was raining and the water and crap getting kicked off the road from other people's tires, it wouldn't have mattered all that much

Mt Tam I am · 05-26-2011, 09:18 AM

This is what I expect from Lucas electric but not Nissan. May none of us ever experience what you did (Hambone).

Hambone1 · 05-26-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mt Tam I am

This is what I expect from Lucas electric but not Nissan. May none of us ever experience what you did (Hambone).

I really hope so too. Probably one of the most anxious moments I've ever had behind the wheel. That includes rolling a car and blowing out a tire at speed. The weirdest thing of it is that the dealership found no fault codes and no evidence of a short or loose connection anywhere. And I didn't hit any bumps that could have jarred something, no water coming over the hood or in the intakes through puddles or anything, it's very bizarre

toxik · 05-26-2011, 10:12 AM

isn't it ironic that the only Z that had this issue is in Seattle....

Hambone1 · 05-26-2011, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toxik

isn't it ironic that the only Z that had this issue is in Seattle....

Tell me about it. Not to mention that it was one of the worst downpours all spring. The worst part was going through a tunnel right as they cut out and as I approached the end of the tunnel thinking "this is really going to suck in about 3 seconds"

toxik · 05-26-2011, 11:00 AM

seattle: 1
370z: 0

kenchan · 05-26-2011, 01:19 PM

sounds scary. smart move getting rain-x.

05-26-2011, 12:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hambone1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 438 Drives: 370Z MB 7AT Sport Rep Power: 14	So My Windshield Wipers Stopped Working Today Very scary situation. I was on I-90 in Seattle, pouring rain, and my windshield wipers stop cold. My windshield almost immediately becomes soaked to the point where visibility is next to nothing, and I'm looking out my side window for a wide spot to pull over. After 5 minutes of frantically doing just about everything one can do with the wiper stalk, including hitting the washers in hopes that it might initiate the wipers back up, I found a wide enough stretch of shoulder where I wasn't at risk, and as I pulled over, my wipers fired back up. I tentatively drove to a nearby parking lot, checked for blown fuses, obvious shorts, etc, in the pouring rain, and finding none, took it to the dealership. I got the usual "could not replicate the situation" and they seem to be working fine again. Has this ever happened to anyone else?

05-26-2011, 12:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
karotZ Track Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: not found Posts: 723 Drives: on empty tank of gas Rep Power: 15	I have not seen this type of issue before. I would definitely take a video of it (while being careful in driving) when it happens again so you can show them. __________________ VERTEX \| SUIVAX \| AMUSE \| SSR \| SPARCO \| STILLEN \| FAST INTENTIONS x HKS \| HANKOOK \| NARDI \| NRG \| EVO-R \| ROBISPEC \| SPC

05-26-2011, 09:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
Mt Tam I am A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: California Posts: 10,709 Drives: 370Z T/S/N 6MT & XKE Rep Power: 3842	This is what I expect from Lucas electric but not Nissan. May none of us ever experience what you did (Hambone). __________________ "Does the carpet match the drapes? NO!!! I don't date bald women." Nissan Motorsports 34R Oil Cooler. Stillen CBE. Hotchkis Sport Sway Bars. KW Variant 3 Coilover System. Stillen Gen3 CAI. Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Stillen Brake Ducts. Carbotech™ XP10/XP8 Pads. Z1 Front Rotors. Z1 Stainless Brake Lines. Two degrees of camber

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05-26-2011, 01:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
iceman21_23 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: league city, tx Posts: 757 Drives: 09' Solid Red 370z Rep Power: 17	drive faster water just beads off at speed haha.

05-26-2011, 01:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
cruzmisl Base Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 122 Drives: 08 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 15	Well, along those lines...you could start using rainx on the windshield for peace of mind. Granted, that **** is annoying when it wears down unevenly, but it does work well if you are on the ball with reapplying it regularly.

05-26-2011, 02:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
essixx Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 21 Drives: 2009 Silver auto Rep Power: 14	Just use the Rain-x windshield washer fluid. Applies itself whenever you hit the windshield washer. I think it works great. Then you don't have to worry about uneven application.

05-26-2011, 07:06 AM	#7 (permalink)
USMCASA A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NC Posts: 1,152 Drives: 09 370z CY M6 Rep Power: 17	i'm starting to think you've got gremlins... or a flood car

05-26-2011, 08:07 AM	#8 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 59 Posts: 4,875 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	My guess is some water got into the electronics of the wipers and temporarily shorted them out. Hopefully it's just a once-in-a-lifetime issue.

05-26-2011, 08:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
Hambone1 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 438 Drives: 370Z MB 7AT Sport Rep Power: 14	That's what I'm hoping is the case, it's very unnerving regardless. Rain-X was the first thing I bought on my way home, although I'm pretty sure that with how hard it was raining and the water and crap getting kicked off the road from other people's tires, it wouldn't have mattered all that much

05-26-2011, 01:19 PM	#15 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	sounds scary. smart move getting rain-x.