Windshield Wipers Won’t Stop | Quick Fix Guide

When windshield wipers keep sweeping with the switch set to Off, the car is telling you something in the control path is still feeding power. This guide gives a clear plan to stop the blades safely, find the fault with simple checks, and decide what to fix next.

Windshield Wipers Not Stopping: Fast Checks

• Stay calm, keep lane position steady, and turn on hazards if visibility drops. Pull over when it’s safe.
• Cycle the stalk through Low, High, Intermittent, and back to Off. Trigger a single Wash/Mist swipe; some modules exit a stuck logic state after a full sweep.
• Shut the ignition off and remove the key. If the wipers still sweep, power is reaching the motor from a stuck relay or a park circuit feed.
• Open the fuse box and remove the wiper fuse or the wiper relay to stop the motor. Check your owner’s manual for the exact slot. Keep the fuse handy in case rain starts again.

Quick Cause And Action Map

Symptom	Likely Fault	Quick Test Or Temporary Action
Wipers run only on one speed and won’t shut off	Intermittent relay stuck or control switch contacts stuck	Swap relay of same part number or tap the relay; if behavior changes, replace it
Wipers run with key removed	Park circuit backfeed or fused relay contacts	Pull the wiper fuse/relay to stop them; inspect the motor connector for a short
Intermittent works, Off does not	Multifunction stalk switch fault	Wiggle the stalk gently; if speed changes or stops briefly, the switch needs replacement
Random sweeps in dry weather	Rain sensor or Body Control Module logic glitch	Disable auto mode, disconnect the battery for a short reset, then retest
Wipers stop mid-glass then restart	Park switch inside the motor not opening	Listen for a pause at the bottom of the stroke; no pause points to park contacts

How The Park Circuit Keeps Wipers Off

Inside most wiper motors is a small switch that closes while the arm is moving and opens only when the blades reach their park position. When you set the stalk to Off, the motor keeps power until the blades return to the park zone, then that internal switch opens and the circuit goes quiet. If the contacts inside that switch weld shut, the motor never gets the signal to stop.

Windshield Wipers Won’t Turn Off: DIY Tests That Work

Check The Stalk Switch

Set the switch through every detent. Press for Wash/Mist and release. Move the stalk slightly off the detent and see if the sweep halts. Any change when you nudge the lever points to worn contacts in the switch assembly on the column.

Quick Meter Check

With the battery negative cable disconnected and the switch unplugged, check continuity at the Off terminals. Off should read open. If it reads closed or jumps when you flex the lever, the switch needs service or replacement.

Check The Wiper Relay And Fuse

Many cars route stalk signals through a relay. A stuck relay can feed the motor even when the switch says Off. Locate the relay in the fuse box, swap it with a twin relay that runs a non-critical circuit, and retest. If the behavior moves with the relay, you have your answer. If your car skips a separate relay and drives the motor directly, move on to the motor test.

Telltale Signs Of A Sticky Relay

A light ticking sound from the fuse box as the sweep starts and stops, heat on the relay case, or wipers that stay on after a wash cycle end all point to contacts that stick closed. Relay failure can also drain the battery after parking.

Check The Motor Park Switch

Unplug the motor connector. If the wipers stop at once, the fault sits upstream; if they only stop when you pull the connector, the motor’s internal park switch likely feeds power when it should not. Many motors include a removable cover with a small contact ring. If the ring is burnt or the slider is bent, the motor assembly needs repair or replacement.

Simple Bench Test

Remove the wiper motor per your manual. On a bench with a fused 12-volt source, power the motor low-speed terminal and ground the case. Watch the sweep gear and use a continuity tester across the park contacts. They should read closed during motion and open only at park. If they never open, the contacts are stuck.

Rain Sensors And Body Control Modules

Cars with auto-wipers feed the motor through a controller or a Body Control Module. A stuck command from that module can keep the relay latched. Turn auto-wipers off, clear the windshield where the sensor sits, and reset the system by disconnecting the battery for a minute. If the wipers behave after a reset and then act up again, scan for body codes and inspect the sensor connector and the module grounds.

Temporary Ways To Stop The Wipers Safely

• Pull the wiper fuse: open the panel, match the diagram in your owner’s manual, and remove the marked fuse with the tool provided.
• Remove the wiper relay: pinch and lift the relay straight up. Store it in the glove box so you can restore the circuit when rain starts again.
• Disconnect the motor connector: trace the harness under the cowl and unplug the main connector. This stops the sweep until you plug it back in.

Park only when you have safe space to work. If rain begins, reinstall the fuse or relay before you move again. If the fault returns right away, keep speeds low and head for service.

What Usually Fails And What It Takes To Fix

Fault	Typical Parts Price	DIY Skill Level
Intermittent wiper relay	Low to moderate	Easy: pull-and-swap
Multifunction stalk switch	Moderate	Medium: trim removal, torx tools
Wiper motor with park switch	Moderate to high	Medium: cowl removal, linkage alignment
Body Control Module or rain sensor module	High	Advanced: scan tool and coding may be needed
Wiring short or corroded ground	Low parts cost	Advanced: tracing and repair

When To Hand It To A Pro

If the sweep continues with the motor unplugged, or if the fuse blows on install, the harness has a short to power. A shop can trace that quickly with a power probe and a wiring diagram. If a BCM controls wipe speeds, coding or a software update may be needed after replacement.

Preventive Care So Wipers Behave

• Replace blades at least yearly, or sooner if they streak, chatter, or leave bands of water.
• Clean the glass and the rubber edge during fuel stops.
• Keep the cowl drains clear so the motor and linkage stay dry.
• Use frost tools for ice; scraping with the wipers strains the linkage and the park contacts.
• If your car has auto-wipers, keep the sensor area clean and avoid wax over that zone.

If you need a deeper dive into switch or relay symptoms, this guide on wiper switch faults covers classic signs. For wet-weather readiness and blade life tips, see AAA’s wet weather driving tips.

Action Plan You Can Use Today

1. Stop the sweep safely: pull the fuse or relay, or unplug the motor.
2. Test the stalk switch and relay with swaps and gentle movement checks.
3. Unplug the motor to isolate the park switch.
4. Reset auto-wipers or the BCM if equipped, then scan for codes.
5. Fix the confirmed part and recheck park operation.