Windscreen wipers staying on

Cuchulain · 10 Nov 2009 at 09:37

Yay, first problem with the Vectra, not a major one but the windscreen wipers have a mind of their own. If I use any wiper speed or the windscreen washer they'll stay on, eventually turning off of their own accord at some randomly determined time, sometimes a minute or so, sometimes 5+.

They never come on of their own accord and turning the ignition off seems to reset them and they always go off, they just seem to stay on for an inordinately long time.

I've seen wipers stay on constantly and wipers not working at all but never this.

Participant · 10 Nov 2009 at 09:42

Could be a faulty wiper stalk switch or faulty relay.

If you use the single wipe function does it still carry on wiping (I assume so from what you've said)?

iaind · 10 Nov 2009 at 09:42

My guess would be relay, I'd replace that first as it should be cheap and easy.

Cuchulain · 10 Nov 2009 at 09:43

Robbie G said:
Could be a faulty wiper stalk switch or faulty relay.

If you use the single wipe function does it still carry on wiping (I assume so from what you've said)?

Yeah it does stay on.

paradigm · 10 Nov 2009 at 09:51

Does it have automatic wipers?

If so, maybe the sensor is fubar.

iaind · 10 Nov 2009 at 09:54

paradigm said:
Does it have automatic wipers?

If so, maybe the sensor is fubar.

I thought automatic wipers only worked in one position on the stalk?

paradigm · 10 Nov 2009 at 10:03

iaind said:
I thought automatic wipers only worked in one position on the stalk?

It should yes, but a wiring fault could be causing it to just "work" whenever it fancies.

Cuchulain · 10 Nov 2009 at 10:19

Had a quick look through VVOC and it seems it does point towards the stalk, nice and cheap to replace thankfully. (one on the bay for £3.50).

brightside_ · 10 Nov 2009 at 10:47

i had a similar problem with my Saab, completley of topic but meh. I had to disconnect the passenger side headlight wiper to get mine to stop, made the wipers + fluid stick on continuously. What makes it more amusing is that I'd only insured the car 10 minutes before and was the first time i'd even driven it

Dogbreath · 10 Nov 2009 at 11:20

A faulty park switch on the wiper motor will cause these symptoms.

Cuchulain · 10 Nov 2009 at 12:00

Dogbreath said:
A faulty park switch on the wiper motor will cause these symptoms.

Is the switch actually part of the motor?

Participant · 10 Nov 2009 at 12:26

Cuchulain said:
Is the switch actually part of the motor?

Wiper motors usually have a switch of sorts that cuts power to the circuit when it detects that the wipers are at the bottom of the windshield (or rest position, wherever that is).

Start at the cheapest / easiest fix though and work upwards, as you are doing.

Dogbreath · 10 Nov 2009 at 12:41

Cuchulain said:
Is the switch actually part of the motor?

It's part of the wiper motor assembly rather than the actual motor itself.