[Wipers on my 98 outback not working . . . I blame irony or some such thing]

Four days ago I returned to my 98 Subaru, it having been parked in 
Yosemite Valley for sixteen hot days. Not only did the car start without 
complaint, but I used the front wipers to wash away a lot of dust. No 
problems. 
Two days ago, while hanging with a few friends, I gave the car to my friend 
and her car mechanic brother to not only drive to the market, but also to get 
his impressions on the overall health of the car. He reported back that it ran 
well, sounded good, etc . . . 
Last night I went to use the wipers and they didn't work. Back one 
works fine, fronts, not---I can flick them on and hear the motor running, but 
there's no action from the wipers, which are bolted down snug. 

So who broke my wipers? was it my friend, or maybe her nervous mechanic 
brother, or maybe--as things do just break---the wiper mechanism just 
decided to die? Should I no longer allow mechanics who I am not already 
paying, sit in my car? 

I stopped wondering if I could fix it when told to remove or check under the 
"cowling" which took me a few trips through the index to figure what that is . 
. . . Could I have blown a fuse? unhooked a wire? flipped a switch? Thanks for any 
insights.

 

[Help! what's the voltage on my 98 Legacy and can I use the lighter for . . .]

Just bought a used 98 Legacy and rushing through last minute details, I'd like to power up my cell phone during a long drive tomorrow. Can I plug one of those adapters into the lighter, or is there another plug for accessories somewhere?? ( my manual is lost ) and what's the voltage--I'm a complete dolt when it comes to cars and gizmos. Need to run over to walgreens I guess as soon as I figure this out. Thanks.