I am in abit of a muddle as my front wipers are no longer working after defrosting them. It is very cold, and after the ice last night, my car looked like an igloo. Using tepid/ warm water I removed all ice and made sure the wipers were free from the screen. They worked as usual along with the rear, but of course the washer water was still frozen which I expected. I left the car for 15 minutes to get ready for work and when I tried the wipers again, nothing. The rear ones are ok. After finding the fuse box I found the diagram in manual totally useless. It was the wrong way round and I had gaps where they didn't show any in the book??? Luckily I found one via this site which was the correct way, but there are still gaps where I didn't have any.

Does anyone know where I should look for a solution other than fuses. Can it really be the motor on such a young car!! There was no smell from the car (as I'd think if the motor had blown). Could it just be the cold??? It seems I will not be able to test this theory for a while due to sub-zero temperatures due this week!!!!!! (I am also not getting any whirring from the washer when I pull the lever - is this due to it being frozen or would it still make a noise as it would when empty????)

I just hope that someone can give me clues as I do not want to go to dealer just yet, without trying everything.

Pixie

Hi,

Sounds like you have blown the fuse for the wipers, it is common on the Fabia, more than likely it will be both the washer fuse and the wiper fuse that has gone, nip along to your local Skoda dealer who should be able to give you the correct fuses for free.

Also make sure to keep your screenwash topped up with the correct mixture.

Hope this helps?

Davy

Hi Davy

Have problem with the diagram for the fuses as it shows slots I do not have??? The washer fuse is listed but does not tally with my fuse box???? The washer liquid is 1/2 and 1/2 but it so cold here today -6 and falling, it still not enough!!!

Edited 17 December, 201015 yr by Pickled Pixie

Looking at this link here your front wipers are a 20amp fuse

http://www.fabia-vrs.com/technical-info/fuse-panel-layout/

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/119593-wipers-not-working-read-this-first/

Hope this helps.

Davy

Thank you for the link, I didn't know it was there. When it warms up outside I will give the solutions on there a whirl.

Are you sure in the 15 minutes you left the car the water you poured over them hasn't frozen.

If you covered the mechanism with water it could have frozen solid?

Yes I am sure it hadn't refrozen as I checked them and it was mid-day and thawing. Looking at all the posts I have now found, my prob same, rear wiper going when putting on front. Am still waiting for the temp to drop here before I fully check. Can't use car at the moment anyway as on a dead-end road totally iced up. Water in car rock solid still. Car safer on drive. :no:

Pixie

This does seem to be a common problem. Frozen washer nozzles are common unless you have the heated ones. It hasn't happened to me yet but it is helpful to be able to read about others misfortunes and whilst I sympathise with such posters at least the rest of us can use their experiences to our advantage.

It seems we should be using VAG washer fluid. There is a warning sticker with a part number for the correct fluid G 052164 and advising this should be used at the recommended dilutions( I believe this has a much lower freezing point to some fluids). This won't ensure the nozzles won't freeze but will mean the water in the washer bottles remains unfrozen. In really cold weather sensible precautions to thoroughly warm up the car and hence thaw the nozzles before attempting to use the washers will reduce the risk of blowing the fuse.

I remember problems with the MK 1 Fabia could occur if the incorrect fluid was used and could result in the rear pipe coming adrift and pouring washer fluid into the boot. It was thought some fluids were too 'foamy' and caused back pressure. I'm not a mechanic but that is my take on the situation for what its worth guys. :yes:

This does seem to be a common problem. Frozen washer nozzles are common unless you have the heated ones. It hasn't happened to me yet but it is helpful to be able to read about others misfortunes and whilst I sympathise with such posters at least the rest of us can use their experiences to our advantage.

It seems we should be using VAG washer fluid. There is a warning sticker with a part number for the correct fluid G 052164 and advising this should be used at the recommended dilutions( I believe this has a much lower freezing point to some fluids). This won't ensure the nozzles won't freeze but will mean the water in the washer bottles remains unfrozen. In really cold weather sensible precautions to thoroughly warm up the car and hence thaw the nozzles before attempting to use the washers will reduce the risk of blowing the fuse.

I remember problems with the MK 1 Fabia could occur if the incorrect fluid was used and could result in the rear pipe coming adrift and pouring washer fluid into the boot. It was thought some fluids were too 'foamy' and caused back pressure. I'm not a mechanic but that is my take on the situation for what its worth guys. :yes:

Well I had to Pay £37 for a pipe to be reattached to the car today to reconnect my screenwash today not as warrenty work but due to the weather!

Davy

I know its a long time past, but I'd like to thank all who helped with this problem. Without the internet and this site, I would have spent a fortune going to a dealer for the sake of a blown fuse. Also, a good friend helped me find the fuse box and he changed the said fuse. Silly cover gave me most trouble as the door seal goes over the back and the spring clips fly everywhere. I lost 1 in the inner recess with no hope of getting it out. No probs though as the compartment still closes. I now know not to touch the washers in the ice. I just need to switch off the auto-pilot in my head that makes me pull the lever. Also have got higher concentate of washer fluid.

Thanks very much again

pixie

Edited 5 January, 201115 yr by Pickled Pixie

Thanks for the feedback, its nice to hear praise (even if I wasnt part of this one..lol)

PS might have been better in the right section as yours is a Fabia I I would assume? Fabia II has a very different fusebox.