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Toyota Camry: Why Aren't My Windshield Wipers Working?

The windshield wipers on your Toyota Camry are controlled by a switch and motor mounted on the chassis. Sometimes, the smallest things can cause wipers to fail. Read more to find out what those things are.

By Neftali Medina - July 22, 2015
Contributors: Speedkar99

This article applies to the Toyota Camry (1997-2011).

You are driving down the road, when you hear a clap of thunder and rain suddenly starts pouring down. As a natural reflex, you hit the wiper switch and...nothing happens. This is one of those situations that can randomly occur even when taking all the necessary precautions, but how do you determine how to fix it? There are generally three things that can go wrong in order for a wiper to fail, all of which have to do with the motor and signal it receives. Use the following instructions to help diagnose why your windshield wipers are not working on your Toyota Camry.

Materials Needed

  • Screwdriver
  • Clip remover

Step 1 – Check the multi-function switch

The contacts may have worn down.

The multi-function switch houses the controls for your lights, fogs and wipers. It is located behind your steering wheel and you can inspect it by unplugging and looking at the contacts. If the contacts are dirty, you have a chance to clean them off; however, if they are burnt, the unit will no longer be usable and you will have to replace it.

  • Push the tilt wheel down and pull the steering wheel up.
  • Remove the three screws holding the steering wheel panels together.
  • Remove the two screws holding the multi-function switch to the steering wheel.
  • Unplug the switch.
  • Inspect the terminals. Replace if necessary.
Figure 1. The combination switch.

If the switch terminals are fine, keep reading.

Step 2 – Check the wiper motor left spring

The left spring may have broken off.

The speeds of a wiper are controlled via this small leaf spring found inside the motor. Its failure is accompanied by one or more of the wiper speeds failing. To access the leaf spring, you need to remove the rubber cowl covers from the windshield.

  • Carefully remove the ten clips that hold the cowl in place.
  • Remove the windshield wiper nuts and lift them off of their positions.
  • Pull off the cowl.
  • Disconnect the motor.
  • Remove it from the engine bay and loosen the three screws that hold the housing together.
  • Open it and inspect the leaf spring mechanism; if damaged, use a solder gun and stick in back in place.
Figure 2. The windshield motor leaf spring.

If the motor leaf spring wasn't the issue, read on to Step 3.

Step 3 – Replace the windshield wiper motor

The motor may have failed completely.

If the leaf spring itself was fine, the motor itself may have given out or is about to. The removal procedure is the same as inspecting the leaf spring mechanism, with the slight differences.

  • Prior to replacing the windshield wiper motor, mark the orientation of the wipers.
  • Remove the wipers and begin to remove the cowl.
  • Access the motor, disconnect it and replace it with a new unit.
  • After replacing it, make sure to align the wipers back to their original place, then tighten them down.
Figure 3. The windshield wiper motor.

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