Mazda Protege wipers problems

Filed Jul 17, 2008 · Visibility · 69,000 miles · FL

Driving car in pouring tropical rainstorm at about 40mph in heavy southbound three lane traffic. Windshield wipers were running on low. Turned wipers to high, they ran for about one minute, then stopped in the middle of the windshield. Had to immediately pull into center lane u-turn turnaround and sit there with flashers on until rain subsided (this in itself is dangerous). Wipers would not run at all after that. There were 1 adult and 3 children in the car. Returned home. Checked fuse and it was ok. Visual inspection of the windshield motor revealed that the ground wire had broken off at the loop where it held in place by the wiper motor mounting bolt (with washers). I suspect that the sharp edges of the steel washers had cut the brass ground wire loop over time. I also suspect that this loop has been broken for several years, and that when the wipers are turned on high, that the motor vibrates in the rubber mount bushing, and the brass ground loop shank jitters off of the loop (where it is normally just lying upon due to gravity), thus causing the motor's gound circuit to open, and the wipers to fail. The car has about 69,000 miles on it. The is a 5 cent part that has put out family in harms way twice now. If this is not just an isolated incident on my vehicle, I predict that there will be deaths and injuries caused when drivers cannot see where they are driving.

Filed Aug 2, 2007 · Visibility · 60,030 miles · FL

Driving on fl turnpike at night in heavy rain, bumper to bumper traffic, wipers were on high, switched them to low (not intermittent) and the wipers stopped in the middle of the windshield. Trying to make it to the right hand lane with my head out the window so I can see, and they just came back on automatically. Made it home, keeping them on low. That was 7/17/07. Yesterday (8/1/07) in medium rain in daylight, went to local store. As a test, I put wipers on low a minute or so, then high, then back to low, then they stopped mid window again (all this in about 4 minutes). Turning them off/on would not make them come on again. I put them back on low hoping they would come back on. Traffic light changed and I had to drive across four lanes to store with no wipers. Wipers came back on automatically when I pulled up to the store (maybe 3 minutes after the wipers powered off). The car has about 60,050 miles, original owner, no accidents or other mishaps. It appears that I can reproduce this behavior.

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Acceleration · MI

The cruise control selector on the 2001 mazda protege is a short stalk on the right side of the steering wheel. Once the cruise control is enabled by pressing a button in the end of the stalk, the cruise speed is selected by moving the stalk down. If cruise is interrupted, as by stepping on the brake pedal, the pre-set speed can be resumed by moving the stalk up. Since the stalk changes location with the movement of the steering wheel, it is very easy to inadvertently operate the stalk. I have hit it when attempting to operate the windshield wiper/washer (another stalk on the right side) and while turning a corner. The hazard is that the enabled cruise control is not disabled if the vehicle drops below a certain speed, stops, or even when the ignition is turned off. It remains enabled until intentionally turned off. A driver, unaware that the cruise control was enabled, could accidentally move the stalk up to resume, and the vehicle would accelerate to the last pre-set speed. Even though a tap of the brake pedal would interrupt the acceleration, by the time the driver realized it and reacted, a lot of damage could be done. A driver could also accidentally move the stalk down and unknowingly set the current speed as the cruise speed. If the driver lifted his/her foot from the gas pedal, the vehicle would not decelerate as expected but would continue at the set speed.

Filed May 21, 2001 · Visibility · NY

Windshield wiper linkage failed, causing inoperative windshield wipers. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer it was not cover under a manufacturer's recall. *ak the consumer purchased replacement parts and the problem was solved.

Filed Mar 15, 2001 · Engine, Visibility · PA

Re:manifold. A crack begins from the engine side.dealer stated the first it happened a stone must have come up & hit it. This is an imposibility. Now after replacing it it has occurred again.crack is in the same place.beginning from the engine side. Every time this occurs, exhaust fumes enter the passenger compartment.re: windshield.wipers do not clean the driver side & have never done so since I purchased the car.wipers have been replaced & does not help.in a driving rain I have to slow down to 50 MPH to wipe clean.

Filed Feb 9, 2001 · Visibility · KY

Consumer was traveling on the highway in rainy weather, the windshield wipers were inoperable. Dealership aware of problem. *ak

Filed Jan 18, 2000 · Acceleration, Body · ME

Engine check light came on, and gas gauge malfunctioned. Vehicle hesitated when starting/ dealer replaced flywheel. Also, fuel tank was disconnected, and dealer replaced fuel tank. In addition, rpms increased by 500 rpms, and repaired wiring in jamme ddoor. Also, windshield wiper blades malfunctioned/ fuse shorted out , causing radio, cd, and other electrical components to fail, and replaced canister.

Filed Aug 28, 1999 · Electrical · WI

The problem began with sporadic losses of wiper and blower function. We could bypass the problem by jiggling the key while the engine was running to restore power to the wipers and blower. Soon this defect occurred most times that the car was running. On a recent occasion, the steering column started to smoke when the air conditioning was on. We have not used the car since. These defects are serious in wisconsin where weather conditions require a working heater and wipers. We were wondering if there ever was a recall for this problem. Our local dealer was not very helpful. We feel that the unexpected loss of wipers or defroster represents a dangerous situation, not to mention the possibility of a fire starting in the steering column. Thank you.

Filed Feb 15, 1999 · Electrical · MO

I was an hour away from home when my headlights started going dim, and windshield wipers wouldn't work on high speed. After the car died we went and got a new alternator and put on it, after that, it drove for about 5 miles and the headlights started going dim and the car would cut in and out. The next day we put a new battery on it and I drove it home, when we took it to a shop, they rebuilt the alternator, and I drove the car for a few days and it started doing the same thing all over again. So we put another alternator on it and so far it has worked, but we are afraid it will happen again because I have also seen smoke come out of the hood after having those problems.

Filed Jul 28, 1998 · Electrical · OH

Any electrical functions connected to the ignition being turned on, failed to work properly, such as windshield wipers/air conditioner/heater & anything else affecting visibility of the driver.