By the battery.

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! If your wipers aren’t working but you hear a hum, chances are the motor is trying to do its job but something is preventing movement. Given the freeze you experienced, it's likely the wiper linkage or arms may have been damaged or jammed when they were frozen in place. First, check if the wiper arms are free to move by hand (with the car off). If they feel stuck or don’t move easily, the linkage underneath may have snapped or come loose. If they do move freely but still don’t operate when turned on, the motor itself could be struggling or the internal gears could be stripped. It’s worth popping the hood and inspecting the wiper motor area for visible damage or disconnected linkages. If you’re not seeing anything obvious, a multimeter test can confirm if the motor is getting power—just in case there’s a fuse or wiring issue. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.