Front Wiper Mystery

[Keanu]

Hi, I've read several threads here to see if I could resolve my wiper mystery, but finally decided to ask you guys for help.

 

It all started a month ago when the FREEZING weather came. My Front wiper will NOT operate. Stoped the galaxy 1.9TDi 1999 Deisel auto, to have a look at the fuses under the steering wheel and every single fuse including the specific fuse for front wiper (NO 29) were in good order. Infact, when I took out the no 29 fuse the front washer and rear wiper would not work, but does when reinserted.

 

Almost every day I would leave the Wiper Stalk to ON position and on any speed setting and occassionaly it would turn the wiper just for one stroke then it would die for next few days. This kept on happening in rain and icey conditions. I've changed the stalk switch

Edited January 5, 2009 by Keanu

[Mirez]

There is a current sence on the circuit which turns them off when high current situations occur, if the wipe is in progress then they attempt to "park" for X more seconds before it turns off.

 

Sounds like that could be the cause of your problems, either the mechanism needs removal and full overhaul or the motor/controller has developed a fault :rolleyes:

[Keanu]

or the motor/controller has developed a fault :rolleyes:

 

Does that mean I can just try replacing the controller on the motor or do I have to change the whole motor?

[Mirez]

That would depend on whats failed really - without fully testing you won't know :rolleyes:

 

From previous posts I believe the controller IS seperate from the motor and can be changed on its own but I don't know for sure. Personally I would look to change the whole assembly rather then individual parts as the root cause of the fault might still be present and take down your new motor/controller in time.

 

When you say you greased the joints, did you just grease the visable ones? or did you remove the assembly - strip the arms/spindles from the housing and greese internally? If its the former then I would suggest you do the latter as thats where the majority of the "sticking" occurs.

[Keanu]

I doubt its a grease issue because when it does work the wiper turns without any shudder or noise and just does on full wipe and stops at park position again and dies for next few days.

 

Some of my friends indicate it might be to do with relays? Is that a possibility and where are the relays for the wiper?

[Scorpiorefugee]

I agree about the grease issue as, when my mechanism was stiff, it almost stalled the motor but it didn't give up. However, I did have a similar problems some years ago and that turned out to be the fact that the motor was sitting in a pool of water in the tray beneath it. This was almost certainly because it was parked nose down on my drive at about a 1 in 4 slope. I drilled a couple of drainage holes and the problem went away never to return. This problem has been reported on several occasions with a variety of symptoms and seems to arise because there are some electronics in the motor casing right where the water would penetrate and it could take some time to dry out in this weather.

 

It is probably not this but it might be worth popping a hair drier under there for a while to warm it up and perhaps dry it out. We did have some heavy rain before the cold spell hit.

 

Actually, now I remember, my problem was just the opposite. The wipers would start for no apparent reason and not switch off. However, not knowing what is inside, I have to assume that almost anything could happen, depending on the exact nature of the fault.

 

Beyond this, it might be worth checking the voltages on the connector and, if you haven't any data, reporting back. Someone may have some information or experience. You would need to connect the meter and watch what happens as you switch on.

[Keanu]

Today the wipers were working as normal on every setting during my drive home from work. When I parked my car, I decided to check the wipers again, BUT they stopped working once again.!? This is very weird. :46:

 

I've decided to buy a new motor, and will report back with the result. I will try and if there is any water damage to the motor.