Windscreeen wiper action

[syncnetic]

Hi folks,

Just joined this excellent group and have already been a big help with regards to front wheel bearing adjustment.
I have another problem which is really getting on my nerves and after living with it for quite sometime, now needs to be sorted.
I have looked through previous postings, which have given some insight into the possible cause of the problem, but not all.
I have a 1998 import Minstrel, pleased with it, but the wipers started playing up quite a while back now. On continuous wipe no problem, except they won’t go back to park, I have to switch off at the right moment. On intermittent, oh dear, the blades move part way and stop, switch off and back on to intermittent and they move a bit more and so on. Really annoying when its only a light rain.
On one thread someone mentions a relay box below the motor, and there is a grey colour plastic box as described below the motor, is this the relay that controls the action of the wipers depending on which mode of wipe is chosen.
I have checked the ring connections on the motor itself and they are nice and clean and all making contact as best I can tell.
So any thoughts as to the possible cause and how to rectify it would be much appreciated.
Carry on the excellent work.
Regards,
Syncnetic.

 

[Toolbox]

Have you checked the fuses, you should have 2, I think if one is gone it will do what you are experiencing.
It seems that the permanent feed that parks the wiper is not working this is the same for the intermittent as the supply is only switched on momentarily to start the motor and the park supply then finishes the stroke.

 

[syncnetic]

Windsreen wiper action

Thanks Jeremy for the info, but can't find any busted fuses. When it first started doing this, it didn’t suddenly happen, but was a gradual process. When it did it for the first few times, by switching it off and on quickly, it would work again and be OK for a while.
But now sadly its all the time.

Regards
Syncnetic

 

[rustic]

I remember having a mini which had the same problem, it had a sensor/switch that switched off the power when the wipers were in the park position, so that it required a supply to start it off. This was purely an electo-mechanical arrangement. Easy to fix 8O I built an electronic circuit that gave the mini an intermittent wipe action, which is so standard on cars now.

Just looked at the wiring diagram(s) for 2.7TDi (import may be different), and there is also a switch within the motor STOP/MOVE see section EL of electronic manual. You will need to look at 2 diagrams, 1 for front and 1 for rear.
This however goes to the Wiper amp (relay or control unit )
On the diagram it looks like it is part of the wiper switch assembly , which should have a total of 7 wires attached for front screen and similar for rear screen.. (could be different depending on model)
I would go for the switch assembly, check the connector block, there may be a terminal pushed back. You will need to remove the cowl assembly around the steering wheel to get to it. Could explain why it worked sometime etc.

Does yours have the variable intermittent wipe, and does it work in both slow and fast mode?
Does the rear wash wipe experience the same problem, as on my 95 Mav, the switch controls the rear wash wipe as well?
Does the wash work on both front and rear?

I hope this helps,
best regards, Rustic

 

[Hilltop]

WIPER MOTOR

Theres a cover on the end of the wiper motor (it's white on mine) this is the auto park switch, whip the cover off and give the contacts a clean; five minute job.

Bob

 

[syncnetic]

Windcsreen Wiper Action

Bob and Rustic,

Many thanks for your replies and advice. All seems to work OK i.e. washers slow and fast continuous wipe, just the park and intermitant.
On reading a previous thread I have taken off the grey palstic box that is below the wiper motor and ordered another. Should have been in yesterday, but is on back order, so is expected on Monday.
After much effort to get at the thing to take it off, the intermitant wipe there was nothing at all, although I still have continous wipe.
So I'm hoping this new relay or what ever it is, will do the trick, when I get it, certainly hope so as it was over £60 LOLOLOLOL.
Will let you know what happens.
Thanks agian.

Syncnetic.

Minstrel 98 2.7tdi