Wipers not 'returning' properly

[Chris71]

If I turn the wipers off mid-stroke they just stop there and then - usually right in the middle of my field of view! I presume they're not supposed to do this?

I seem to instinctively flick to one of the main modes; I don't know if the intermittent wipe is even working.

[Blues]

Could be the park switch. On mine, this can be found under the wiper motor, which is under the bonnet on the nearside wing. It is "conveniently" positioned in a hollowed out moulding, which collects water, and "floods" the switch. You may be able to recue it, or replace with a new one (about £10) make sure you pack it with vaseline or or something similar to prevent future water ingress

[Harrytsg]

I replaced the park switch on mine and it cured the same symptoms you describe

http://www.clever-trevor.net/part/55/wiper-park-sw...

[Mr Plow]

Mine were doing this, it ended up being a loose relay.

Cheers

Liam

[sgrimshaw]

Mine had the same problem ... also cured with new park switch.

Easy peasy job - even a mechanical numpty like me managed it!

[Chris71]

Had my money on a switch or relay. Will get one ordered.

[JonyPI]

ok just bought a chim and have the same problem, only I have located the relay, or should I say, where the relay should be I just have a hole there now, could this have been pushed into the body or relocated? also my wipers don't work on intermediate setting, would this be linked with that?

[grgrgray]

Before you order new parts, unbolt the motor (2 bolts) so you can access the wiring, then remove the connector, clean the connector and all of the terminals spray with WD40 and replace. Just done this to mine with the same symptoms and it has cured the problem.

[speedtwelve]

Same symptoms, new park switch sorted it. The original was heavily corroded.

[haircutmike]

grgrgray said:

Before you order new parts, unbolt the motor (2 bolts) so you can access the wiring, then remove the connector, clean the connector and all of the terminals spray with WD40 and replace. Just done this to mine with the same symptoms and it has cured the problem.

Did this a couple of years ago on mine as they would never park and stopped where they liked, problem solved and it was free!

[Barreti]

Mine did this when I first bought it. The relay had fallen out and I found it in the end of the passenger footwell.

[Blues]

Just a pointer. When i last replaced my park switch, not only did i use the vaseline trick, but i also wrapped it in self-amagamating waterproof tape. Damn good stuff, and hopefully a very long term cure.
Good luck with teh fix

[Chris71]

Just noticed something a bit odd, which I suspect would help to pin down the problem:

If you do a wash-wipe the wipers return perfectly, so I don't think it's the switch. Plus, it looks like it is actually try to move on the intermittent modes, but it's just very, very slow (caused by high resistance somewhere I guess)? It works comparitively normally in the more vigorous modes.

I forgot to take a look at the wiring when I got the car out on Sunday, but did check the symptoms as I was driving along.

[haircutmike]

I would still go with the connector, I did mine , (just) without unbolting the motor.

[FlipFlopGriff]

Chris71 said:

Just noticed something a bit odd, which I suspect would help to pin down the problem:

If you do a wash-wipe the wipers return perfectly, so I don't think it's the switch. Plus, it looks like it is actually try to move on the intermittent modes, but it's just very, very slow (caused by high resistance somewhere I guess)? It works comparitively normally in the more vigorous modes.

I forgot to take a look at the wiring when I got the car out on Sunday, but did check the symptoms as I was driving along.

This happened on mine and had to have the motor rebuilt. Adrian Venn is your man if this is the case. Is the motor casing getting hot at all?
FFG

[spend]

The connector to the park switch does get corroded unless you have cunning schemes to protect it

Pulling the connector will give you an idea of the state of the blades on the park switch, if they are gash just replace the park switch. The loom connector can be rebuilt with cheap latching blades, not worth trying to clean them IMHO.

ETA: forget the bit for the OP

Sounds to me like the relay, IIRC initiating pulse to wipe is direct from switch whereas parking+intermittent is from the timer relay. You should be able to check with DVM on the connector measuring resistance to 12V?

Edited by spend on Tuesday 8th February 12:56

[taylormj4]

My money is on the relay. I need to replace mine as this happens with my 450 but intermitently. I have recently replaced the park switch which cured the "wipers wont stop" problem. Wipers stop in unusual places is the relay not holding in IMHO.

Relays are expensive from TVR suppliers / independents etc but probably much cheaper from a Vauxhall dealer if you can identify the part. Let me know if you find a good source.

Cheers, Matt