Can’t lift up the windshield wiper arm completely

[Donald]

I was cleaning my windshield and noticed you can’t lift up the wiper arm completely as you would when changing them out. The arm hits the hood. No biggie, just all of my other vehicles I could.

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[OleFordGuy]

turn the wipers on, let them get to about a straight up position and turn the ignition off. You'll have alot more space to change out the wipers without risking rubbing the paint on the edge of the hood. Also, double up a towel and place on the windshield in the area the wiper arm would hit the windshield for protection from cracking the windshield in case it was to pop down on the glass while your working with them.

 

[deej]

I was cleaning my windshield and noticed you can’t lift up the wiper arm completely as you would when changing them out. The arm hits the hood. No biggie, just all of my other vehicles I could.

Move the wiper arms until they are pointing straight up the windshield, then they can fold out with no problem.

 

[JEMiculka]

I noticed that issue as well when trying to clean the windshield after running the truck through the car wash for the first time. First vehicle I’ve had that has this issue. My truck sits outside along with the 22 Escape. When ice is in the forecast, I pull the wipers off the windshield so they aren’t frozen to it. This will be interesting next winter.

 

[deej]

When ice is in the forecast, I pull the wipers off the windshield so they aren’t frozen to it. This will be interesting next winter.

I do the same here. No problems folding out the wipers if you move them so they are pointing straight up the windshield first.

 

[Shakesbear]

I noticed that issue as well when trying to clean the windshield after running the truck through the car wash for the first time. First vehicle I’ve had that has this issue. My truck sits outside along with the 22 Escape. When ice is in the forecast, I pull the wipers off the windshield so they aren’t frozen to it. This will be interesting next winter.

Put a sock on it dude

 

[BradnChristine]

The manual explains "Service Position" on page 89:

 

[4sambos]

I was cleaning my windshield and noticed you can’t lift up the wiper arm completely as you would when changing them out. The arm hits the hood. No biggie, just all of my other vehicles I could.

Google this cuz same thing happened in my wife’s new Camry and it works if you follow the Google instructions. Best

 

[NJBob]

turn the wipers on, let them get to about a straight up position and turn the ignition off. You'll have alot more space to change out the wipers without risking rubbing the paint on the edge of the hood. Also, double up a towel and place on the windshield in the area the wiper arm would hit the windshield for protection from cracking the windshield in case it was to pop down on the glass while your working with them.

I actually had that happen on an 08 Sarurn Aura. While changing the wipers one came down with no wipee insert in it. Cracked the windshield.

 

[Skifletch]

This is gonna suck the first time I forget about it in Buffalo Winter...

 

[billbillw]

There have been a lot of vehicles that require you to put the wipers in "service position" but the nicer ones (my VW Touareg for example) have a menu option in the settings screen for it. Ford has you do ot the old fashioned manual way.

 

[samspritzer]

This is gonna suck the first time I forget about it in Buffalo Winter...

You should be able to manually engage the wipers till they are 90 degrees and then fold them out.

 

[Tailender]

If you fold your wiper up for snow, don't start the the truck to warm it while you clean the snow off the windshield. The wipers will start and return to the down position and scratch the paint on the edge of the hood. You must put the wipers against the window before you turn the truck on or start it.

 

[JimParker256]

Move the wiper arms until they are pointing straight up the windshield, then they can fold out with no problem.

DON'T MOVE THE WIPER ARMS MANUALLY! The manual cautions against it, as it can ruin the wiper motor. At least one MTC member had a warranty repair on his wiper motor denied because he manually moved the wiper arms.

@OleFordGuy (and others) gave you the right procedure, according to the owner's manual: Turn the vehicle on without actually starting it (Accessory position), then turn on the wipers. When the blade is pointing basically straight up, turn OFF the vehicle (key or push-button start). That gives you enough space to change the wiper blades. Great suggestion from @OleFordGuy to place a folded up towel on the windshield where the blade arm would hit if it slips out of your hand. Cracked windshield are already enough of a potential issue with Mavericks - we don't need to self-induce problems...

 

[TFLB]

If you fold your wiper up for snow, don't start the the truck to warm it while you clean the snow off the windshield. The wipers will start and return to the down position and scratch the paint on the edge of the hood. You must put the wipers against the window before you turn the truck on or start it.

I'm going to try to put door edging on the back of the hood to eliminate scratching the paint.

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