So it's not the park switch
Discussion
Wipers were behaving oddly, not stopping when flicking for a quick wipe or constant wipe. But they always stopped in the right place - eventually.
We all agreed it was the park switch, so I replaced that but it doesn't seem to have cured it - so what next? Switch at stalk end or wiring perhaps?
We all agreed it was the park switch, so I replaced that but it doesn't seem to have cured it - so what next? Switch at stalk end or wiring perhaps?
Can you describe exactly how your wipers are behaving?
Here are the symptoms that I have had in the past:
The solution to my problem was very cheap and simple: it was the fuse protecting the brake lights and wiper park circuit. So, er... yes, that does mean I had been driving around without working brake lights as well. I discovered the solution to my wiper problem after failing an MOT test due to no brake lights.
Your symptoms don't sound quite the same, but before replacing any further parts I'd still recommend checking that fuse. On my car it was the third or fourth fuse from the right - 20A I think (a yellow one) - but check your own car's manual because the fusebox is likely to be different.
Here are the symptoms that I have had in the past:
- Wipers appear to park in random places.
- If you keep flicking them into intermittent mode and back off again, you realise that it's not quite random and they actually park in a "sequence" of odd places.
- With practice, you can predict where they'll park next, and hence you know when they're going to park in the correct place.
- The same effects are seen either when switching the wipers off from continuous mode or when they're in intermittent mode.
The solution to my problem was very cheap and simple: it was the fuse protecting the brake lights and wiper park circuit. So, er... yes, that does mean I had been driving around without working brake lights as well. I discovered the solution to my wiper problem after failing an MOT test due to no brake lights.
Your symptoms don't sound quite the same, but before replacing any further parts I'd still recommend checking that fuse. On my car it was the third or fourth fuse from the right - 20A I think (a yellow one) - but check your own car's manual because the fusebox is likely to be different.
Mortals clipping a new park switch in are not infallible 
I'd check you installed it properly, personally I always take the motor out & spend plenty of time putting the fiddly blighters in. That method also gives you the chance to see if there is any debris / lack of grease under the cover as you have to remove the cover to detach the linkage.
I'd check you installed it properly, personally I always take the motor out & spend plenty of time putting the fiddly blighters in. That method also gives you the chance to see if there is any debris / lack of grease under the cover as you have to remove the cover to detach the linkage.OK so to describe the problem further.
Wipers park properly in the correct place every time. Problem is when you switch them on to either of the 3 positions or use the flick wipe, they don't (always) stop for anything between 3 wipes and a few minutes. Although they do eventually stop.
Appreciate the comments about fitting the switch properly, confident I've done that correctly as have replaced it on both this and the Cerbera a few times with no issues - always taking the motor off and giving it the once over.
It's a 1996 pre-facelift model with the motor under the bonnet at the base of the screen.
Wipers park properly in the correct place every time. Problem is when you switch them on to either of the 3 positions or use the flick wipe, they don't (always) stop for anything between 3 wipes and a few minutes. Although they do eventually stop.
Appreciate the comments about fitting the switch properly, confident I've done that correctly as have replaced it on both this and the Cerbera a few times with no issues - always taking the motor off and giving it the once over.
It's a 1996 pre-facelift model with the motor under the bonnet at the base of the screen.
If as you describe its running on and eventually parking in the right place I can't see there being any problem with the electrics, just the park switch not breaking the circuit as it passes the cam. Still suggests switch or the cam under the gear wheel (maybe you packed too much grease in there) to me?
You're likely to see many posts forcing the 'stops in the middle of screen' scenarios onto you whilst grasping at straws, whereas your clear specific observations preclude the common loom/relay/switch issues I'd say
You're likely to see many posts forcing the 'stops in the middle of screen' scenarios onto you whilst grasping at straws, whereas your clear specific observations preclude the common loom/relay/switch issues I'd say
Have you tried cleaning the plugs that attach to the new switch with contact cleaner and an old toothbrush?
I had a similar issue - new switch didn't cure the problem and the wipers would just keep going without stopping. Bit of contact cleaner and it was sorted.
(just remember to give the mrs toothbrush a clean before you put it back...)
I had a similar issue - new switch didn't cure the problem and the wipers would just keep going without stopping. Bit of contact cleaner and it was sorted.
(just remember to give the mrs toothbrush a clean before you put it back...)
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