hi all

I've had a problem with the wipers on our W reg Fabia 1.4MPi for some time. My wife is pregnant and due in six weeks so I really need to get it sorted before she goes in to labour on a rainy day!

The problem is that the wipers are just very temperamental: it's got to the stage that it's 50/50 whether they will start when you need them after the car has been sat unused for a while. After a while they do start to work however - for example, if I drive for a few minues, or sometimes if I hit the top of teh dash board with the palm of my hand they will suddenly burst into life.

I have only once had it where the wipers stop again after they start working. every other time, once they had started to work they will keep on working until you stop the car and don't use it for a few hours - and then the problems can start again.

I guess there is a loose connection somewhere. But how do I get ino the wiring behind the dash to have a look?

Hope someone can help me out!

Thanks

Ian

It does sound like a bad connection if thumping the dash gets them working. May be the actual column switch is goosed.

I would be checking that the wiper relay is correctly seated, and if its not then remove it and put it back in again. It could also be failing internally though, and the hitting the dash is just causing the damage to fix itself temporarily. I am not sure where the relay is located on the fabia though. There is no wiring for the wipers in the dash area, so my bets are its behind the carpet by the steering column somewhere.

Thanks both of you for replying. I'll havea look for the relay. I'm not sure exactly what I'm loking for though (I'm a bit of a novice really!).

Do you think hitting the dash would affect something that is behind the steering column under the carpet?

Any other suggestions anyone? Cheers

If the motor has had a fair amount of use, it may be the two brushes not moving freely in the brush holders . This is due to worn brush material trapping the brushes.

When you tap the motor ,or nearby, the brush moves forward and connects making the motor work OK.This can happen with all electrical motors ,and generators, after they have had a fair amount of use.

Can only be proved, by dismantling the motor.

Edited 30 December, 200916 yr by AndyPandy