Wipers Don't Return Home - Toyota 4Runner Forum

HeelAndToe85 · 09-14-2021, 10:16 AM

Searched and didn't see other 3rd gens having this problem...
A few months ago my wipers started failing to return back to home position if I switch the wipers off.
Wipers work nominally if I set them to 'interval' or 'low' or 'high'. But if I 'mist' and release the stalk then the wipers get all jittery and seem to have a seizure. Then they get stuck near where I stopped them.
Only way to get them home is to set it to 'interval' and wait for them to stop in the right spot then set them to 'off'.

You guys ever experience this? It seems like a controls issue obviously... but I don't know where wiper control functions happen. Is there a position sensor in the motor unit?

spartacus · 09-14-2021, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeelAndToe85

Searched and didn't see other 3rd gens having this problem...
A few months ago my wipers started failing to return back to home position if I switch the wipers off.
Wipers work nominally if I set them to 'interval' or 'low' or 'high'. But if I 'mist' and release the stalk then the wipers get all jittery and seem to have a seizure. Then they get stuck near where I stopped them.
Only way to get them home is to set it to 'interval' and wait for them to stop in the right spot then set them to 'off'.

You guys ever experience this? It seems like a controls issue obviously... but I don't know where wiper control functions happen. Is there a position sensor in the motor unit?

Disconnect the wiper arm from the bottom. turn truck on, turn the wiper on then off. Install the wipers to see if they are at the home position. Tighten the arms. Turn wipers on and off to check if they are working properly. If they are not or the problem comes back then check
wiper motor contacts might be grimed or corroded. The control module on the motor might be going bad. Cleaning them would help. The bushings at the bottom of the wiper arm disengrated. The ground wires are corroded. Last the motor might be going out.

3bears · 09-14-2021, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Disconnect the wiper arm from the bottom. turn truck on, turn the wiper on then off. Install the wipers to see if they are at the home position. Tighten the arms. Turn wipers on and off to check if they are working properly. If they are not or the problem comes back then check
wiper motor contacts might be grimed or corroded. The control module on the motor might be going bad. Cleaning them would help. The bushings at the bottom of the wiper arm disengrated. The ground wires are corroded. Last the motor might be going out.

i think spartacus is on the right track....and I also beleive that a lot of problems come back to bad grounds.

what year and how many miles is on your rig ? just curious if its a age problem or miles....I think you are first I have read of this issue.

report back on what you find

HeelAndToe85 · 09-14-2021, 01:09 PM

it's a 1999 limited w/ 212,000 miles. I'll do a bit more looking at the wiring.

phattyduck · 09-14-2021, 01:55 PM

The position sensor is in the motor itself. There internal switches that can get corroded and cause the problems you are seeing.

How Windshield Wipers Work | Toyota Corolla Forum

Mine does it too - and I just live with it. It 'cleans' itself up pretty good after some driving in the rain, but it gets pretty bad by the end of summer...

-Charlie

HeelAndToe85 · 09-14-2021, 02:01 PM

Yeah, I'm thinking it's the switch. Found this old thread that describes my issue exactly I think.

Wiper motor need replacement?

wcjeep · 09-15-2021, 12:51 AM

Had this problem on other vehicles. The return to park was the problem. On the non Toyota products it was always the wiper motor.

JB369 · 04-29-2024, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeelAndToe85

Yeah, I'm thinking it's the switch. Found this old thread that describes my issue exactly I think.

Wiper motor need replacement?

Hi there, curious what ended up being the problem - I know it's been quite a while, so I appreciate anything you can tell me. I've got perhaps the same issue with my wipers right now and trying to figure out if it's the switch or the motor. Thanks

AuSeeker · 04-29-2024, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB369

Hi there, curious what ended up being the problem - I know it's been quite a while, so I appreciate anything you can tell me. I've got perhaps the same issue with my wipers right now and trying to figure out if it's the switch or the motor. Thanks

Unfortunately the member you quoted hasn't been on the forum for over a year so you most likely will not get an answer from him.