Wiper motor

Motoman

Member
My wipers failed in the middle of a downpour, I managed to get to my garage and showed the mechanic the thread on the earth and other problems, he fitted an earth cable and changed the fuse but was unable to cure the problem. He thinks a A2 specialist should look into it as his diagnostic equipment was unable to find the cause. I have already had two replies advising me to start this thread so that I can get advice as I am unable to do anything myself.
 
It sounds like you need a specialist auto electrician, and it might be worth checking one or two local to you.

If you were near me, I'd happily offer to come over and give a hand, but perhaps the club has someone within reach of Bridgnorth who can offer a hand?

The electrics associated with the wiper motor are not that complex, and are rather prone to failure in old age.

I'd look for answers to the following questions:

1. With the ignition switched on, and the wiper turned on, is the motor turning, even though it isn't moving the wiper arm?

2. Is the wiper motor earthed?

3. With the ignition switched on, and the wiper turned on, does the positive lead to the wiper motor have a current?

If the wiper motor has an effective earth, and there's current on the positive connection to the motor, then the motor has failed and needs replacing.

If there's no effective earth for the wiper motor, then one needs to be added.

@Jayw13702 's suggestion of a faulty wiper relay is a good one, and that is definitely worth getting checked.

I'd encourage you to find someone who can do a VCDS scan for you, since that may well shed some light on the cause of the problem.

Good luck with getting this sorted, it can't be anything too difficult.
 
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As steve_c has said the wiper system on this car is not complex, it will be something that old fashioned detective work will figure.

If you have tried the Earth and that has not worked then the next thing you need to do is to check that you actually have power to the multi plug that runs into the wiper motor, from memory I think there are five wires that go into the wiper motor, one will be enough when will be a constant live and the other three are switch lives depended upon what do you have selected on your wiper stalk.

If you have power and you have an earth then you need to test the other three and make sure that you have power in any one of those three, if you don’t then that would point towards the wiper relay. Another way of checking is to gain access to the wiper relay and as you are cycling through intermittent first and second speed on the wiper stalk the wiper relay should click as it moves through the different speeds.

VCDS won’t be any help on this sadly as it doesn’t connect to the wiper motor.


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I have just taken the wiper motor out of my car and have a working but worn motor mount available for testing in your car if you would like. The connectors are easy to swap and then we could hopefully at least rule out another thing if the motor works.

If you are in Shrewsbury soon I am happy to help out in the evenings after work
 
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That’s a brilliant idea, let me have your post code and a convenient time and I will be knocking on your door. There is a degree of urgency in my search that makes your offer very welcome.

pete
 
Thank you Tom, I will be off to Canvey Island to see my brother on Friday. Your fantastic help let’s my whole family get together to say a lovely sad farewell to a kind gentle man we all love.
 
Hi Motoman great to meet you this evening and pleased that you went home with a working motor, but sorry to hear about the circumustances for it being urgent. The issue turned out to be twofold:
  1. the motor was burned out and did not work at all despite getting power from the car
  2. The wiper arm itself was rusted and was seized at the bushings for where the wiper blade attaches. I suspect that this had caused significant additional load on the motor and caused it to not survive. The arm was re-lubricated but I don't think that this will be a very permanent fix.
@depronman refurbishes wiper arms with new bushings which would hopefully preserve the life of the replacement motor.
 
I will have some aero arms furnished for the weekend if you want one

Paul


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Sorry Peter please accept my apologies
I had a number of people in the queue for the aero wiper arm and was awaiting returns of wiper arms they all came back on the same day or so and I refurbed a batch of 7 and thought I had sent all outstanding orders out but it appears that I missed yours
It’s now booked on Hermes and I will drop it off later today I’m already too late for today’s collection so no point it me taking it now it will go nowhere until tomorrow

Cheers. Paul


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No problem Paul, I don’t need to use the car until the middle of July.

been there, done that …. Pete
 
Looks like I sent you wiper arm to hydr
He sent me a pm last night to say he got another arm
He as kindly offered to bring it to you, he will be in touch shortly to arrange the finer details
Cheers. Paul


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Cheers Paul, he has already contacted me and we should soon work out how we will collect or deliver the wiper arm

pete
 
I just need to figure out how to cancel the Hermes delivery that I created yesterday
There is nothing else that you want from me is there that could utilise the shipping ?
Door check straps etc


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