Why are my windshield wipers going when my car is off?

In most cases, wipers should not operate after you turn the car off. If yours keep wiping, it points to an electrical issue or a control feature that remains energized. The most common causes are a stuck control stalk, a faulty relay or ignition switch, or a rain-sensing/auto-wipe setting that’s misbehaving. Less common but possible are wiring faults or moisture ingress that energize the motor.

Common Causes

These are the typical culprits behind wipers running with the ignition off. Start with these to identify the problem fast.

• Stuck or mispositioned windshield wiper stalk (the control lever is left in ON/INT/MIST or has developed a sticking point).


• Faulty or welded relay in the wiper circuit that keeps power to the motor even when the ignition is off.


• Defective ignition switch or problems in the ignition/ACC circuit that allow power to reach the wiper motor when the key is OFF.


• Malfunctioning rain-sensing or auto-wipe feature that remains energized or misreads moisture.


• Electrical short or moisture intrusion into the wiper motor, control module, or related wiring.


• Aftermarket wiring or added electronics (alarm/remote start) that create a parasitic power path to the wipers.

These issues can drain the battery or create a safety hazard, so address them promptly. If you’re unsure, avoid leaving the car in this state for extended periods.

Stuck stalk or control issues

The windshield wiper stalk is the primary input for the wiper motor. If the stalk is physically sticking, bent, or not returning to center, it can continue to feed power to the motor even when the car is off. Worn return springs or debris in the stalk assembly can mimic a stuck setting and should be inspected by a technician.

Electrical and relay problems

A wiper relay, or the wiring harness feeding the motor, can fail in a way that keeps the circuit energized in OFF. A relay that sticks closed or a short in the steering column area can cause persistent operation. Replacing the faulty relay and repairing any damaged wiring typically resolves the issue.

Sensor and auto-wipe issues

Rain-sensing wipers rely on a sensor module to determine wipe intensity. If the sensor or its control module malfunctions, it could trigger cycles unexpectedly or continue operating after the car is off (especially in models where the sensor remains powered for certain functions). Diagnostics often involve checking the sensor, its connections, and related software/calibration.

Moisture intrusion or wiring faults

Water in connectors or inside the fuse box or control modules can create dangerous shorts. Inspect for corrosion, broken seals, or loose connectors around the wiper controls, fuse box, and motor. Drying and reseating connectors may be necessary, and any damaged components should be replaced.

Aftermarket or improper wiring

If you recently added aftermarket accessories or performed wiring work, a misconnected ground or power line could energize the wiper circuit when it shouldn’t. A professional should review any non-factory wiring to confirm it’s correct and safe.

What to Do If This Happens

Follow these practical steps to stop the wipers and determine the underlying cause. If you’re not comfortable with electrical work, seek a qualified technician promptly to avoid battery drain or further issues.

1. Power down safely and verify the car is truly off. If you can, remove the key and wait a moment to see if the wipers stop on their own.


2. If safe, locate the wiper fuse or relay in the fuse box and remove it to stop power to the wiper motor temporarily. Do not run components you’re unsure about.


3. Inspect the wiper stalk for sticking or damage. Move it through all settings (off, intermittent, low, high) to see if it releases properly when power is reapplied.


4. Check the fuses and relays related to the wipers. Replace any blown fuses and test the relay; a faulty relay often causes persistent operation.


5. Assess for signs of moisture or corrosion in the fuse box, connectors, and the wiper motor wiring. Clean and reseat any suspicious connections.


6. If the behavior persists after basic checks, arrange a professional diagnosis. A technician can test the motor, control modules, and the ignition/ACC circuit with proper equipment.

Temporary power-down measures can stop the wipers, but they are not fixes. A proper repair will address the root cause and prevent battery drainage or safety concerns.

Summary

Windshield wipers running when the car is off is usually caused by a stuck control stalk, a faulty relay or ignition switch, a malfunctioning rain-sensing system, or wiring issues. Start with simple checks—stalk position, fuses/relays, and visible wiring—then seek professional help for a definitive fix. Addressing the issue promptly helps protect your battery and ensures the wipers behave correctly when you need them.

Why are my windshield wipers going on by themselves?

Your windshield wipers are likely going on by themselves due to electrical issues, such as a faulty wiper switch, a sticking relay, or a worn-out wiper motor with a bad internal contact disc. Other possibilities include a bad ground connection, a damaged wiring harness, or a problem with the control box on the negative battery cable.
 
Potential causes 
This video shows how to diagnose the wiper motor: 58sDad Does it AllYouTube · Jan 9, 2023

• Faulty wiper switch: The switch itself can have worn or corroded internal contacts, causing it to send an incorrect signal. 
• Malfunctioning relay: A sticking or faulty relay in the fuse box can continuously send power to the wipers. 
• Bad wiper motor: The motor has a disc with contacts that help it return to the "park" position. If these contacts are worn or dirty, the motor can lose track of its resting position and keep running. 
• Wiring problems: Shorts, corrosion, or bad ground connections in the wiring harness can cause electrical glitches and erratic wiper behavior. 
• Control box issue: In some vehicles, a bad control box on the negative battery cable can lead to this problem. 

What you can do

• Check the relay: Find the wiper relay in your vehicle's fuse box, labeled as "wiper," "wpr," or similar. You can often swap it with an identical relay from another non-critical system to see if the problem stops. 
• Inspect the switch: Look for any signs of wear or corrosion on the wiper switch assembly, especially where the wiring connects. You can also check the electrical connections at the switch itself. 
• Test the motor: You can try a simple test by installing a used wiper motor and checking if the switch now functions correctly. If the new motor stops when the switch is turned off, your old motor is the issue. 
• Examine the ground connections: Look for any corroded or loose ground wires, particularly those connected to the chassis or near the wiper motor and battery. 
• Secure the wiper arms: Ensure the wiper arms are securely attached to the pivots and not loose. If they are loose, this could be a simple fix, but you may need a mechanic if the gears inside the motor or linkage are stripped. 

You can watch this video to learn how to reset the park position of the wipers: 52sJrZ CarZYouTube · Dec 28, 2024

Why are my windshield wipers going when they are turned off?

Your windshield wipers may keep going after being turned off due to a faulty wiper relay, a bad control switch, or a problem with the wiper motor's "park switch". Less common causes can include a short circuit in the wiring or a physical obstruction preventing the blades from returning to their resting position. 
Common causes and fixes
This video demonstrates how to diagnose a wiper switch issue: 58sDad Does it AllYouTube · Jan 9, 2023

• Faulty relay: A stuck or failed relay can keep power running to the wipers even when the switch is off. 
  • Fix: Locate the wiper relay in the fuse box and try swapping it with a similar relay from a non-essential circuit (like the horn) to see if the problem stops. 
• Bad control switch: The switch itself (the stalk on the steering column) can have electrical issues that cause it to fail to send the "off" signal. 
  • Fix: Try jiggling the switch or moving it through its different speeds; if the wipers stop when you do this, the switch is likely the problem and needs to be replaced. 
• "Park switch" failure: The wiper motor has an internal "park switch" that tells the motor to stop once the wipers are in their resting position at the bottom of the windshield. 
  • Fix: If the park switch is bad, the motor won't know when to stop. This often requires replacing the entire wiper motor assembly, as the park switch is usually integrated into the motor. 

Other potential causes
You can watch this video to learn about potential causes of wiper motor issues: 57s1ROADYouTube · Dec 4, 2017

• Short circuit: A short in the wiring, possibly near the switch or the motor, can cause the wipers to run continuously. 
  • Fix: This is a more complex issue that may require a mechanic to trace and repair the shorted wire. You can temporarily disconnect the fuse to prevent the wipers from running. 
• Physical obstruction: If the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield or another object is blocking them, it can confuse the motor's park system. The motor may continue to try to move them, causing the internal mechanism to get out of alignment. 
  • Fix: Carefully inspect the wiper arms for any obstructions, such as ice, leaves, or loose arms, and clear them. You may need to realign the wiper arms after the obstruction is removed. 

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