Fixed the clutch and broke the wipers

[fatjon]

Clutch number 4 now in and working! Now the wipers have packed up. the single wipe button works but the main wiper button does nothing. Is this typical of a ribbon cable fault?

[pmessling]

It's a good place to start.

[wiggycerb]

I had this on mine, turned out the actual button was sticky.

Carefully took it out and popped of the sticker / cover and cleaned the contactor .... been fine for 4 years !!

Hopefully a simple fix.

[fatjon]

I'll whip the button of first then, thanks folks.

[aide]

Could be the wiper control box under the steering column.

It's not a delicate piece of electronics, however, hot an cold air causes condensation to build up inside it and over time form a little puddle inside the lowest corner of the box.

Under normal day to day use the water stays put.

But if you were throwing the car around a track or had the car up in the air at unfamiliar angles then it's likely some of the water sloshed up and shorted part of the box.

This happened to me.

I thought it was the ribbon cable.

When I took the box out I turned it over to look at the back and water spilled out!

When I opened it I found one corner of the pcb had green gunky oxidation on it where it had been sitting in a little puddle of water for god knows how long.

So, I had to get a new one.

And before I fitted it I drilled a drain hole in the lowest corner.

If you remove yours be careful not to turn it upside down and have a drill with a 3mm wood bit to hand so you can drill a drain hole. Or even drill it before you remove it.

Once it's drained, open it and clean with contact spray and let it dry in the hot press overnight.

It might still be ok.

(Eta, I'd try this first before the ribbon cable, as the ribbon cable is a PITFA!)

HTH
aide

Edited by aide on Friday 16th September 14:53