Broken windshield wipers?

MarcG · Dec 29, 2014

When I got to the ski resort this morning, I placed my windshield wipers in service mode so I could raise the riper arms.
However when tried to raise them they wouldn't budge past a couple of inches off the windshield, so I exercised a little more force.

In doing so, I heard a loud metallic pop and thought I broke something.
However it seems that I am left with a spring and a hook in my hands, so I'm hoping it's not broken.

Has as anyone seen this before, and if so, do you have any tips on how to reattach it?

Zextraterrestrial · Dec 29, 2014

ooh, you should have offered to take me :tongue:

I don't think you can raise the wipers off the window and keep them 'up' (unless you put something under them to keep them raised)
not sure about reattaching?(sorry) but next time just do service mode to keep the wipers from freezing into the lower area

ohaq · Dec 29, 2014

Once I had heavy slush, turning on the wipers broke the thing (metalic/aluminum) where it rotates. Service replaced it. Not sure if yours might be the same.

Update: This is what was listed on the Tesla invoice
Cause: Wiper transmission frame broken at far left body mounting tab
Correction: Wiper Motor Assembly: I replaced wiper motor and transmission assembly.

Zextraterrestrial · Dec 29, 2014

ok, Spring and hook? I think the spring has hooks on both ends normally and there is just the one hinged point where it lifts up from, the arm almost will stay up, but won't. probably broken if you have 2 pieces of spring material?

mknox · Dec 29, 2014

MarcG said:
When I got to the ski resort this morning, I placed my windshield wipers in service mode so I could raise the riper arms.
However when tried to raise them they wouldn't budge past a couple of inches off the windshield, so I exercised a little more force.

The Model S wipers can only be raised an inch or two off of the glass. They cannot be "stood up" like on many other cars.

paintpolisher · Dec 29, 2014

Someone I know

did the same to his wife's TMS. Take into service center to have the spring re attached. I battled with my spring for a while with vice grip needle nose pliers, no luck.

MarcG · Dec 29, 2014

Thank you all for the helpful responses.

I spoke to Tesla tech support and they confirmed that nothing was broken, it was just the hook and spring that came apart.
To reattach them the wiper arm needed to be removed, and even then the spring was super tight so a few tools were required.

Thanks again everyone!

CHG-ON · Dec 29, 2014

This just kills me. I love my car, but why can't they use a wiper design that has been around forever and is proven to work. The inability to raise the wipers makes it really hard to clean the blades well. And...apparently it causes problems like this! Along with the Frunk, another item to not touch.

But yes, I still love my girl! Time for counseling.

fawu · Dec 29, 2014

The same happened to me (or better, I did the same to me) while on a ski vacation in the middle of the Rockies far far away from any Service Center. I removed the wiper arm and tried to get the spring back on - which was hopeless...the spring is way too strong.

I put some stronger rubber band in instead, but my 500 mile return trip was still miserable. Realized that working wipers in winter weather are quite essential.
My Service Center fixed it at no cost after my return, but I've learned my lesson.

David.85D · Mar 14, 2017

Argh!!! Just did this to my Model S. Put it in service mode and lifted it a bit to clean under and bam! spring and hook pop off.
Glad to hear its fixable. Thought I was going to be buying a new wiper arm tomorrow.

Looking-for-S · Mar 16, 2017

Broke mine this weekend. Removed it with a standard wiper arm removal tool and carried it into the service center. They said it wasn't fixable. 80 bucks for a replacement I installed myself.

Petra · Mar 16, 2017

Guys, it specifically states in the manual that lifting the wipers more than a couple inches off the glass can break them...

Looking-for-S · Mar 17, 2017

I know. Well, after the fact I read that.

I paid for the part and didn't whine.

It's just really weird. Why did Tesla make their wipers different? I don't see any advantage - Not even cheaper - looks like the same size and number of parts as a folding out version.

David.85D · Mar 18, 2017

Fixed Mine! Just needed a somewhat old fashioned $12 tool - a brake spring plier used to attach springs on drum brakes.
There is even a little hole already in a convenient place to catch the pointy end of the tool. The hook end fits perfectly onto the spring.

It was a bit of grunt. Definitely use safety glasses and heavy gloves in case the spring flies off (and work away from your Tesla...)
I'm not the strongest person. If you have been to the gym in the last year, you ought to be able to do this.

I'm convinced if the double ended hook was bent around a little further then none of us would have this problem. The wiper arm has a stop to limit travel, but it barely seems to engage - if that was a little longer, I think that also would also prevent this problem.

FlyingCookie · Dec 31, 2017

David.85D said:
Fixed Mine! Just needed a somewhat old fashioned $12 tool - a brake spring plier used to attach springs on drum brakes.
There is even a little hole already in a convenient place to catch the pointy end of the tool. The hook end fits perfectly onto the spring.

It was a bit of grunt. Definitely use safety glasses and heavy gloves in case the spring flies off (and work away from your Tesla...)
I'm not the strongest person. If you have been to the gym in the last year, you ought to be able to do this.

I'm convinced if the double ended hook was bent around a little further then none of us would have this problem. The wiper arm has a stop to limit travel, but it barely seems to engage - if that was a little longer, I think that also would also prevent this problem.

View attachment 218853 View attachment 218854

Either your pliers are longer than mine, or I need to go to the gym... Even with the above tool, I can't quiet get the spring on. I'm coming up less than 1mm short.

David.85D · Dec 31, 2017

Happy to do it if you are near Maryland. Or mail me the parts if you want. If nothing else, it can be a spare...

FlyingCookie · Dec 31, 2017

David.85D said:
Happy to do it if you are near Maryland. Or mail me the parts if you want. If nothing else, it can be a spare...

I put the arm on the floor, stood over it, and did a big grunt and got it to slip into place. That's a very tough spring!

Saved me $80, so I'm happy... I've been driving around with one wiper arm on the car because I was on my way to Jacksonville when I bought new wiper blades and broke the passenger side arm.

techMology · May 6, 2018

For those wondering, you can do this without any special tools. It’s hard, though, as others have noted.

My 67 year old father did it using a screwdriver as a lever to expand the spring. Took him a few tries. Harder than that was getting the windshield wiper arm off the bolt. It was ceased on there pretty bad after 4+ years and there isn’t a lot of places to get leverage (especially on the driver side). A screwdriver also saved the day here.

David.85D · May 6, 2018

Great! The easy way to get the wiper arm off is a “wiper arm puller” which is $12 for the cheap import tool from amazon. Wasn’t sure when I bought it, but have used mine on 3 cars now...

scottm · May 7, 2018

David.85D said:
Great! The easy way to get the wiper arm off is a “wiper arm puller” which is $12 for the cheap import tool from amazon. Wasn’t sure when I bought it, but have used mine on 3 cars now...

Very sane to use a puller. It's tempting to use a pry tool to get the wiper off its drive mount, but there's a big piece of glass nearby that would be a shame to catch the side of ... and crack it.

I was able to get the arms off with a lot of jiggling motion, grasping the arm as the lever. After a minute it wiggled off the mount.

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