Snow broke my wipers

HouseTargaryen

I used to have a Skoda and when there was snow on my windscreen in the morning, my wipers would push it all off. If it couldn't, I would go out and clear the snow. I've now got a Dacia Sandero, only a few years old, and I tried to do the same thing. Well there was a snap sound and now instead of the wipers moving, I just get a click sound for each time you'd expect them to move. The wipers themselves are loose and you can move them freely. I'm guessing this means a connection somewhere has just come loose and I need to reattach it. I literally know nothing about cars but I'm really skint right now. Do you think it's possible for me to fix this myself? Where would I start? Thanks

feolojad

Quite why anyone would try to clear the snow with the wipers first and then do it if they can't instead of doing it first by hand so you don't break anything I don't know other than sheer laziness.

If you're lucky there's a ball joint that's popped and it's simply a case of removing the scuttle panel trim to get access to the mechanism and pushing it back in place.

If you're not lucky that mechanism has snapped and you'll need a new one which could end up being a whole can of worms to remove and replace.

In future remove the snow by hand first and then you won't risk breaking stuff. Also remember you have to remove the snow from the roof and bonnet/boot and side windows as well, not just the windscreen. It's dangerous driving down the road with lumps of snow coming off your car.

brend10

It's probably hard to guess the real problem if you don't know a lot about cars. Of course, you can google it, try to fix it by yourself but it takes time. I recommend you not to think a lot and contact professionals who could gladly help you. It's a pretty small problem which they could fix fast.

HouseTargaryen

feolojad said:

Quite why anyone would try to clear the snow with the wipers first and then do it if they can't instead of doing it first by hand so you don't break anything I don't know other than sheer laziness.

No one ever told me you shouldn't. If I knew it could break something obviously I wouldn't have. Maybe driving instructers should teach this.

williamgriffin

HouseTargaryen said:

feolojad said:

Quite why anyone would try to clear the snow with the wipers first and then do it if they can't instead of doing it first by hand so you don't break anything I don't know other than sheer laziness.

No one ever told me you shouldn't. If I knew it could break something obviously I wouldn't have. Maybe driving instructers should teach this.

Driving instructors shouldn't need to teach common sense. 

cymruchris

When you've fixed it - invest in an ice scraper, gloves and a can of de-icer.

Before you get going on any snowy morning, you have to manually clear the snow and ice from the windows all around. There are times when the wiper blades can freeze to the windscreen - so it's not just the snow that can cause the damage. You have to go out 10 minutes earlier than you usually would to get everything safely ready to drive. Don't just turn on your wipers and hope for the best. 

Nobody will know what's actually snapped or broken without an inspection. If you're confident you can take it all apart and have a look - and if you're not - you'll have to get it into a workshop to see what needs putting back together or replacing. 

clive0510

whats happened is you've turned on the wipers, and the spindle has moved but the wiper hasn't. so the movement of the spindle has undone the fixing nut at the bottom of the wiper arm. thats why its loose. so do the nut up, not to tightly, and hopefully fixed.

HouseTargaryen

williamgriffin said:

Driving instructors shouldn't need to teach common sense. 

Well they should unless you want to put an IQ minimum limit on drivers.

baza52

HouseTargaryen said:

williamgriffin said:

Driving instructors shouldn't need to teach common sense. 

Well they should unless you want to put an IQ minimum limit on drivers.

gotta love the blame culture these days.
I dont remember my instructor telling me not to drive off a cliff. would that be his fault if i did lol

AdrianC

You'll want to dismantle to check, but it looks like there's quite a few people selling complete motor-linkage setups for Mk2 Sanderos on the 'bay etc. £250ish used, or £300 for new.

That alone suggests it's a common failure, probably engineered down to a price.

HouseTargaryen

baza52 said:

HouseTargaryen said:

williamgriffin said:

Driving instructors shouldn't need to teach common sense. 

Well they should unless you want to put an IQ minimum limit on drivers.

gotta love the blame culture these days.
I dont remember my instructor telling me not to drive off a cliff. would that be his fault if i did lol

Yes because that is exactly the same isn't it. 2.9k posts and you still haven't mastered the art of empathy baza.