So, today I go to turn my car on and warm it up. There was a little water on the windshield, so I turn the wipers on and my drivers side wiper craps on me!! It's dead! My passenger side one works fine, but the drivers side one doesn't move? What should I do? What should I check? Thanks in advance. Sorry if this is a newbie question, but I've never really dealt with wiper problems before?

 

pull the wiper cowl off and check to see that the wiper linkage is intact. sounds like it may have come loose or broke where the linkage meets (ball joint) ...cheap part but a PITA to install

 

Yeah, I think it is the linkage. Because the working wiper has some tension on it when I pull it up but the non-working wiper feels loose. Any instructions on getting the cowl off? I can't seem to find out how to do it? lol

 

Open mouth as indicated by chris... first wipers off, then the cover. Then u get to the linkage. Pry off, replace plastic bits by turning them off [buy bits first from stealership]. Snap on. lubricate all with lithium spray.

Check out u wiper axle bearings: lubricate at least. If loose=worn, replace.

 

Took it all apart, found out that the wiper linkage had fallen off. I didn't take the hood off, which I should've, but I put the linkage back on and it works fine now. Thanks for all of the help guys.

 

Hlp? Your hands are dirty.

Worn: will fall off again on the next worst storm. Just wait for it...

Please: at least visit the stealership and buy tha plastic joints; 10$ for two. Then at least u have spares on the flooding higway ramp, all soaking wet, ladies nagging, kids crying for entertainment...

 

Ladies? Sometimes. Kids? Not soon! I'm only 19! lol If it does fall off again, I'll just put it back on track. I don't want to get under that cowl again. That thing was a pain to take off and I had to adjust my wipers like a million times just so they'd clear my hood! If I do need them, I've got a buddy with about 10-15 3rd Gens just chillin in his junkyard and he can get them to me for free.

 

"I don't want to get under that cowl again." U will. In the rain. But its fun. Btw. No use to put in worn sockets. 19? I was married by then...

Btw, I use rainX additive on windshiled, wipers are not needed but in town.

 

you will go under the cowl again...like wiking said, no use to put in worn parts...and good call on the rainX

 

Yeah, oh well. If I have to get under there, then I will. It's my loss if it goes out again? I'm cheap like that man. I put my money into more important things on my car like driveability parts. If I can fix something and it'll stay fixed for however long, then I'm satisified. I'm not gonna go out and buy some part that is a PITA to install just because I fixed mine but it could go out again? I get what you guys are saying and I appreciate all of the input and advice, but I'm just saying, this is me and that's how I'd do it? Ya kno?

 

I had this same exact problem with my 86 200sx after 220,000 miles, so I would put it back together every few weeks (many times on highways (Cross Island) in the rain) and then after some time the joint was just shot, I had trouble finding one for that car, so I just rigged it all together with a bungie cord and lubed it with prolong spray lube. Worked like a charm and I replaced the bungee only once every few months after it wore through!

God I miss that car!

 

Dang, the 200sx with rear wheel drive!! Those are pretty rare now-a-days too. One kid at my school drives one and he beats the **** out of it. Makes me mad to see that nice of a car get ruined by a dumba$$ like him?

 

I was given that car for free 4.5 years ago with 125,000 miles on it, and I put 100,00 miles on it, drove solid every day until I donated it. I was looking to get a few bucks for it or even give it to someone that would care for it, but no one wanted it. I still wish I had a place to store it. It drove great when I gave it up, but the body was falling apart, that and no heat. Rear while drive sucks in the snow, it just becomes a 2500 lb sled!


Now I'm learning to like my Max!

 

I do have 'bout similar story with my bluebird (2.gen maxx???): rebuilt the wiper motor end joint totally. [this is because any part at stealer$hip here starts with 100$, hate to phone that builDing] Took 'some training' before the joint settled in, just like u said.

Later learned that the joint bag at stealeship is 'only' 10$. Good buy! (still where one can find so pricey plastics pieces? Mars?)

"Rear while drive(s) [pronounce BMW] suck in the snow - Now I'm learning to like my Max!"