Wiper issue

[jimed]

On the way home from Chatsworth yesterday the intermittent wiping started acting strangely - sometimes it wiped one way and stopped then next time it went back to the near side - ie 2 separate wipes for one sequence - then on normal wipe it would sometimes stutter at the drivers side almost as if it was stopping then immediately wiping a little further and then continuing as normal. At one time on intermittent it even stopped in the middle of the screen which was solved by going to normal speed wiping. Despite this it sometimes worked normally.
Looking at the bible - suggestions are the connector to the motor and the delay relay. I've not had a chance to get the car out today and grovel in the footwell to check the relay isn't loose or anything silly but has anyone any experience of similar things? I'm thinking probably the relay is on its way out but they do seem to be expensive at £40 ish incl VAT.
Jim

[Barreti]

Try reseating the relay. They are big and can wiggle free.

[davep]

If the relay is OK I'd check the condition of the intermittent wiper delay adjust potentiometer.

[Colin RedGriff]

Also worth checking the earth on the offside very front of the chassis (under the rad)

[steve-V8s]

I would suspect the park switch which is a plastic bit fitted in the side of the wiper gearbox, you can just about get it out without removing the motor. It is fairly common failure and will cause all sorts of intermittent wiper problems. Can sometimes be cleaned up and re-used but they are not expensive so better to replace with a new bit.

[jimed]

Thanks for the inputs - plenty for me to have a go at there.
Jim

[The AJP Griff]

For gods sake dont get paying £40 for a new relay if thats what you need!! Plenty on e-bay usually for a tenner or less that are the genuine vauxhall item. Part no. 90 069 864 If memory serves.Last time I bought one from a Vauxhall dealer it was only £17!

[red griff roger]

steve-V8s said:

I would suspect the park switch which is a plastic bit fitted in the side of the wiper gearbox, you can just about get it out without removing the motor. It is fairly common failure and will cause all sorts of intermittent wiper problems. Can sometimes be cleaned up and re-used but they are not expensive so better to replace with a new bit.

I can confirm you can do this with out taking the motor out. If I recall rightly, it is a Mini part? So not expensive.

[RichB]

I had this issue with my wipers a few years ago and Racing Green who look after my Griffith did exactly this and just replaced the necessary component.

[jimed]

I assume you mean that it was the park switch Rich?
Must admit though that as it did seem to park fine on normal I'm tending to think relay - or does that also work with the delay as well in which case ....
Is there a way to check the park switch or is it try and see?
Jim

Edited by jimed on Tuesday 1st May 11:26

[FlipFlopGriff]

jimed said:

I assume you mean that it was the park switch Rich?
Must admit though that as it did seem to park fine on normal I'm tending to think relay - or does that also work with the delay as well in which case ....
Is there a way to check the park switch or is it try and see?
Jim

Edited by jimed on Tuesday 1st May 11:26

Jim,
The park switch is a common fault item so if it isn't the park switch you'll have a spare, and you can eliminate it.
FFG

[RichB]

jimed said:

I assume you mean that it was the park switch Rich?
Must admit though that as it did seem to park fine on normal I'm tending to think relay - or does that also work with the delay as well in which case ....
Is there a way to check the park switch or is it try and see?
Jim

Yep that's the one...

[jimed]

I took the park switch off this am and gave it a good clean - and dry with a hair drier (not that I need one myself!! - but that was advised by Heath at X Works who said they can sometimes get water in) then refitted it with some red (waterproof) spray grease round the connectors. Then spent a happy 5 mins sat in the car wiping and washing with and without delay and all seems fine so many thanks for the quick inputs from everyone
Jim
PS I spoke to a local LR place this am in case I needed another switch and they had all sorts available from a Britpart at about £8 to a genuine LR one at £20+ +vat so wonder if the cheaper ones are OK (I suspect so as not exactly rocket science) as some things like Stepper motors can sometimes be a problem - so any experience in case I do need to get one - no doubt I'll find out when I need it the most ...