2012 Prius Two windshield wiper issue

I am having the same problem with my 2010 Prius. I have already taken it to one dealer for diagnosis and repair, without success, and have taken it to another dealer and hope to have success, I will know later today. Several weeks I had the first occurrence, and generally repeat on cold mornings, without repeat as the temperatures warmed. Twice, I had the windshield wipers to turn on immediately while driving, when the wipers worked earlier in my drive, but like the first start up in a short period of time, they started up. What is disconcerting is that with the knowledge of similar issues with the Prius, the service departments have no clue.

 

I'd like you to clarify this. Are you saying that they stopped while you were driving? I think I'd find that scariest of all.
I haven't had a recurrence since the dealer swapped out the fuse. We didn't choose the fuse for any better reason than that it was cheap and easy (with no way to reproduce the problem while in custody).

 

They would not start one time and another they stopped when I tried to wash my windows.

 

It almost sounds like a pin fit issue with a connector in the wiper circuit. Possibly at the body ecu. I haven't seen this yet in this area, i hope i do though so i can have a go at one. I may look at a wiring diagram tomorrow and see if anything comes to mind.

 

So I just got a call from my dealer. They suspect a couple things 1) It might be a bad wiper switch, which will be covered under warranty. 2) The dealer installed alarm system (Karr which was dealer installed at another dealership in CA) may be causing too much drain on the battery which may lead to the wiper being an issue, which is NOT covered under warranty even though it was installed by a Toyota dealer. I'm hoping it to be the 1st issue, cause the 2nd issue will cost me money.

Do you guys have alarm system installed on your vehicles? If so, has the dealers given that as a possible cause for you guys?

UPDATE:

I just called the dealership where I purchased my vehicle. It turns out that the alarm system was installed by another company that they use to install such things. Needless to say, that's very discouraging to hear. Now I have to hope that it's not in fact the car alarm causing such issues.

 

I don't have an alarm system installed on mine.

Depressed battery doesn't make sense to me, since the battery's being brought up to about 14.6 V when the car's in ready mode.

 

It doesn't make too much sense to me either. I'm hoping it's just a switch gone bad.

 

Stand your ground with the dealership! Don't let them pawn this off on that alarm install. With as many having the same problem, there is some manufacturing flaw somewhere.
If they give you the run-around, call Toyota Care... in fact do that anyway and have a case created.

 

Update:

It's not the wiper motor or the wiper switch. Car is still at the dealer (been a week now) they're still thinking that it has something to do with the car alarm system and electronics. Any updates with you guys?

 

None from me. Mine's worked fine since the service visit. I had him swap the fuse, but it's also been milder so inconclusive from my side.

 

Resolution!

It turns out that it was a fuse in the in-dash fuse box. Someway some how the fuse wasn't fitting snugly so that is what was causing the issue. Really odd and they couldn't really explain why it happened, just a fluke thing. But good news is that my car is ready to go and it didn't cost me anything but time away from my car!

 

Hi !

Just got the same problem with my 2012 base Prius Liftback (Canada model).

We got rain/freezing rain yesterday between 0C and 5C ... then we got a flash freeze and it went down to -20C last night.

This morning the wipers would not work, I left them ON and after 30-40 seconds they started working.


Called my dealer and the rep confirmed that this is somewhat "typical" after getting rain and then freezing temperature.

He said that the problem is the transmission between the wiper motor and the wiper arms. He could not say more/give more details.

Once the engine warm up it and/or the temp gets higher it should go away. Not convinced since this happened 3 times to me on my way work ... keep you posted !

 

I have this exact problem. I took it to my dealer and there is nothing electrically wrong. He told me he has seen numerous cars with this and showed me in lifting the hood where water, snow or ice freezes under the black pie-shaped piece that covers what I assume is the motor. It blocks it and if you clear out the ice - it gets better. To me, these is a design flaw. I am reading here that people think it is the temperature. It is a real safety hazard without a real fix or prevention plan. I spoke with the folks on 1 800 go-toyota as encouraged by my dealer and basically got nothing sensical from them - these young folks on the phone talked in circles. This is my 3rd Prius - I practically bought one of the first ones off the boat. I have NEVER had this problem before and am very unhappy about it. Anyone find anything to solve this? Opening the hood every cold day is not going to do it for me.

 

Mine wasn't ice related--probably just a poor fuse contact. It actually started and stopped on its own while I was underway.

It's been over a year since the fuse got replaced and my problem hasn't recurred.

 

I'm having this issue with my 2012 Prius 3. Not temperature related. Happens at50, 60, 65 , 70 degrees.. I tap the plate covering the passenger side wiper and the wipers start working. Connectors are tight and clean. No rodent activity on the plastic wire covering. Fuse has been switched. Wires all intact under cowling by windshield. I'm the original owner and the car hasn't been messed with by anyone. I'm leaning to an electrical issue. I need to look at the wiring diagram and check grounds and connectors for corrosion. The connection to the wiper motor was pristine. Possible disconnect in the connector itself?
Every time it doesn't turn on, all I do is tap the wiper plate and it starts. Every time.
Car was fine for 8 years and 6 months.

 

Thanks for this thread. My 2011 wipers stopped working after a cold night in Seattle...really? low 30"s, It's not even that cold!
Anyway, it's happened a few times off and on. Once the car warms up they slowly start to work again. Thanks to this thread, I'll try replacing the fuse because..... why not, and hope for the easy fix.