Partially Functioning Passenger Wiper

**TonyPSchaefer** · 03-16-2005, 02:48 PM

Has anyone noticed that their passenger wiper isn't working 100%?

I have noticed that the outer edge of my passenger wiper is doing a pretty bad job of wiping the window. I would estimate that the inner 75% is wiped clean, 75-90% is smudgy, and sometimes I wonder if the outer 10% even touches the glass. It would seem that the wiper is just not being flexible enough to wrap around the glass and maintain contact.

Who has suggestions on how I can try to rectify this situation before I have the dealer look at it. I keep thinking "it's just a wiper" but it's bad enough that I don't want passengers on misty days because they are going to have to look through the smeary grime.

**efusco** · 03-16-2005, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Has anyone noticed that their passenger wiper isn't working 100%?

I have noticed that the outer edge of my passenger wiper is doing a pretty bad job of wiping the window. I would estimate that the inner 75% is wiped clean, 75-90% is smudgy, and sometimes I wonder if the outer 10% even touches the glass. It would seem that the wiper is just not being flexible enough to wrap around the glass and maintain contact.

Who has suggestions on how I can try to rectify this situation before I have the dealer look at it. I keep thinking "it's just a wiper" but it's bad enough that I don't want passengers on misty days because they are going to have to look through the smeary grime.

I honestly have, in 17 months of ownership, used my wipers for a total of maybe 20-30 minutes. I use Rain-X and avoid using the wipers so that the rain-x will do it's job better.

Occasionally I'll get grime on there and just have to do a quick squirt/wipe, but both sides seem to do a good job for that.

jayman · 03-16-2005, 06:59 PM

Tony:

Try this before you rush in for a service appointment:

Get a bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol (Most folks have this in their bathroom for topical use) and liberally soak - maybe 2 tablespoons - a paper towel with it.

Then use the paper towel to thoroughly wipe the wiper blade inserts. Don't be surprised at the black/brown grunge that comes off.

You may have to repeat this a few times with a fresh paper towel each time until the paper towel stays clean. Don't forget to do the rear wiper while you're at it.

I do this frequently and have perfect, streak-free wipers.

removeum · 03-16-2005, 09:54 PM

8) jayman,

I believe that is not the issue of dirty blades. He is stating, that the last 10% of his passanger wiper blade, is not making complete contact with the windshield.

Ben

**Tideland Prius** · 03-17-2005, 12:35 AM

Tony, I have the same issue but I noticed it only when it's really dirty (e.g. it's been sunny for a week, then showers (not rain) appear. Or even when I try to clean the windshield using the windshield washer.

Frank Hudon · 03-17-2005, 12:52 AM

one thing you could try is to shift the position of the wiper insert (rubber blade) back and forth in the frame that supports it as some times they tend to stick and that doesn't allow the blade to follow the contour of the glass.

Frank Hudon · 03-17-2005, 12:56 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"73007)</div>

Quote:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer\";p=\"73003)

Quote:

Has anyone noticed that their passenger wiper isn't working 100%?

I have noticed that the outer edge of my passenger wiper is doing a pretty bad job of wiping the window. I would estimate that the inner 75% is wiped clean, 75-90% is smudgy, and sometimes I wonder if the outer 10% even touches the glass. It would seem that the wiper is just not being flexible enough to wrap around the glass and maintain contact.

Who has suggestions on how I can try to rectify this situation before I have the dealer look at it. I keep thinking \"it's just a wiper\" but it's bad enough that I don't want passengers on misty days because they are going to have to look through the smeary grime.
[/b]

I honestly have, in 17 months of ownership, used my wipers for a total of maybe 20-30 minutes. I use Rain-X and avoid using the wipers so that the rain-x will do it's job better.

Occasionally I'll get grime on there and just have to do a quick squirt/wipe, but both sides seem to do a good job for that.
[/b][/quote]
Evan you've got to be kidding! 20-30 minutes in 17 months. There are times here when you can use it for 17 hours 20-30 days a month.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-17-2005, 01:03 AM

I'll try that Frank. I regularly clean my blades so I may have moved something

FourOhFour · 03-17-2005, 08:41 AM

I had the same problem. Put in an Innovision blade on the passenger side, and it helped quite a bit. They're pricy, though, so you might want to try cleaning the blade first.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 03-17-2005, 01:50 PM

Thanks all.
I haven't done anything serious about it yet because it's been cold. For those of you who don't know, in some parts of the world the temperature actually drops below freezing from time to time. You wouldn't know this, of course, because your thermometers don't even register below 65ºF.

Anyway, when the weather improves or I'm inclined to get really cold, I'll try the suggestions.

03-16-2005, 02:48 PM	#1
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 168 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 23	Partially Functioning Passenger Wiper Has anyone noticed that their passenger wiper isn't working 100%? I have noticed that the outer edge of my passenger wiper is doing a pretty bad job of wiping the window. I would estimate that the inner 75% is wiped clean, 75-90% is smudgy, and sometimes I wonder if the outer 10% even touches the glass. It would seem that the wiper is just not being flexible enough to wrap around the glass and maintain contact. Who has suggestions on how I can try to rectify this situation before I have the dealer look at it. I keep thinking "it's just a wiper" but it's bad enough that I don't want passengers on misty days because they are going to have to look through the smeary grime. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness Current Mileage Chicago Prius Group Website Chicago Hybrid Group on FaceBook Find me on faceBook

03-16-2005, 06:59 PM	#3
jayman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Winnipeg Manitoba Posts: 11,576 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 35 Thanked 188 Times in 171 Posts Friends: 12	Re: Partially Functioning Passenger Wiper Tony: Try this before you rush in for a service appointment: Get a bottle of 70% isopropyl alcohol (Most folks have this in their bathroom for topical use) and liberally soak - maybe 2 tablespoons - a paper towel with it. Then use the paper towel to thoroughly wipe the wiper blade inserts. Don't be surprised at the black/brown grunge that comes off. You may have to repeat this a few times with a fresh paper towel each time until the paper towel stays clean. Don't forget to do the rear wiper while you're at it. I do this frequently and have perfect, streak-free wipers.

03-16-2005, 09:54 PM	#4
removeum Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 406 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Partially Functioning Passenger Wiper 8) jayman, I believe that is not the issue of dirty blades. He is stating, that the last 10% of his passanger wiper blade, is not making complete contact with the windshield. Ben

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03-17-2005, 12:35 AM	#5
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	Tony, I have the same issue but I noticed it only when it's really dirty (e.g. it's been sunny for a week, then showers (not rain) appear. Or even when I try to clean the windshield using the windshield washer.

03-17-2005, 12:52 AM	#6
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	one thing you could try is to shift the position of the wiper insert (rubber blade) back and forth in the frame that supports it as some times they tend to stick and that doesn't allow the blade to follow the contour of the glass.

03-17-2005, 01:03 AM	#8
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	I'll try that Frank. I regularly clean my blades so I may have moved something

03-17-2005, 08:41 AM	#9
FourOhFour Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Earth Posts: 127 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I had the same problem. Put in an Innovision blade on the passenger side, and it helped quite a bit. They're pricy, though, so you might want to try cleaning the blade first.

03-17-2005, 01:50 PM	#10
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 168 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 23	Thanks all. I haven't done anything serious about it yet because it's been cold. For those of you who don't know, in some parts of the world the temperature actually drops below freezing from time to time. You wouldn't know this, of course, because your thermometers don't even register below 65ºF. Anyway, when the weather improves or I'm inclined to get really cold, I'll try the suggestions.