ibizalandy

Member
Hi, my wipers will only turn on if you go to speed 2. If you then turn back to speed 1 they work. Also the single wipe lever down won't work at first, but once you've used the wipers, it will work for a few minutes, then nothing. It does not have an intermittent function, only the single wipe function.
I've cleaned the column switch unit and plug and the motor connections, but the problem persists. I'm wondering if it's the motor brushes.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
 
Hi, my wipers will only turn on if you go to speed 2. If you then turn back to speed 1 they work. Also the single wipe lever down won't work at first, but once you've used the wipers, it will work for a few minutes, then nothing. It does not have an intermittent function, only the single wipe function.
I've cleaned the column switch unit and plug and the motor connections, but the problem persists. I'm wondering if it's the motor brushes.
Any ideas?
Thanks.

Have you checked the contacts at the switch ?
 
Grab the wipers in your hand and give them a wiggle, they should move with ease [ there will be some slop in the system] If stiff spindle rods a bit seized and can give symptoms you have.
 
I've found that peculiar symptoms like this can be remedied by replacing the wiper relay. Initially I spent a long time on the switch and the motor itself. However, when I investigated the wiper relay it fell to pieces in my hands. It's considerably more than a relay inside and has a little printed circuit board in there too. This initially happened at the end of 2013, a new wiper relay in early 2014 seemed to sort it out. The same symptoms returned in mid 2020 and I solved them in the same way.

Th fact that the wipers come on sometimes suggests that the motor's OK and not burned out yet, so it's something in the switching. If it's not the column switch, the wiper relay could be the culprit.
 
I've found that peculiar symptoms like this can be remedied by replacing the wiper relay. Initially I spent a long time on the switch and the motor itself. However, when I investigated the wiper relay it fell to pieces in my hands. It's considerably more than a relay inside and has a little printed circuit board in there too. This initially happened at the end of 2013, a new wiper relay in early 2014 seemed to sort it out. The same symptoms returned in mid 2020 and I solved them in the same way.

Th fact that the wipers come on sometimes suggests that the motor's OK and not burned out yet, so it's something in the switching. If it's not the column switch, the wiper relay could be the culprit.
I don't think it has a relay there's nothing on the wiring diagram.
 
Grab the wipers in your hand and give them a wiggle, they should move with ease [ there will be some slop in the system] If stiff spindle rods a bit seized and can give symptoms you have.
The spindles and the rack and pinion seem fine.
 
I've found that peculiar symptoms like this can be remedied by replacing the wiper relay. Initially I spent a long time on the switch and the motor itself. However, when I investigated the wiper relay it fell to pieces in my hands. It's considerably more than a relay inside and has a little printed circuit board in there too. This initially happened at the end of 2013, a new wiper relay in early 2014 seemed to sort it out. The same symptoms returned in mid 2020 and I solved them in the same way.

Th fact that the wipers come on sometimes suggests that the motor's OK and not burned out yet, so it's something in the switching. If it's not the column switch, the wiper relay could be the culprit.
Hi, where is it? Is it one of the two behind the clocks or in the fusebox?
thanks
 
Hi, where is it? Is it one of the two behind the clocks or in the fusebox?
thanks
The relay was going to be my suggestion as well. The position of the rely depends on the exact model of the vehicle. And it can be in either location. But as @Brown said it is more than just a relay so it should be easy to identify even if by process of elimination. Post up some photos of the relays in both positions.
 
Yes, it's behind the instrument cluster. I can't remember which one of the several you'll see back there it is, but if you pull them out it's easy to spot as it has about six prongs on it.
 
Stop press. I red back to the beginning of the thread and see you have a much older model than me. So I don't know where your wiper relay will be. Mine's 2006.
 
My 1990 truck [ was 19j now 200tdi ] has no relay for the wiper motor, the power comes direct from the ignition/wiper switch. Will be the same with 86 model. Re Dippypud above, switch.
 

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