Hi, just purchased a 2010 Fabia for my daughter. The front wipers work ok at the intermittent position, don’t work at low speed but work at high speed. Also they don’t work when flick the stalk down for a single wipe.  So they work in 2 of the 4 positions, has anyone come across this issue before?

Probably a bad switch. For a cheap fix you could remove it and clean the contacts inside (requires removing the steering wheel).

...Theres a slight possibility that you might be able to spray a bit of WD40 or similar, into the switch area, let it penetrate and then try switching the lever through its movements a few times, perhaps with ignition off, so as to let the cleaning/lubing take effect. Then try testing the functions again. Otherwise I would agree with the need to replace the switch. I would almost certainly think the switch was to blame as other functions seem ok. I would not suspect fuses unless the intermittent had a separate one, but it could also be dodgy terminals say, on the motor itself.

If you are not mechanically minded, removing the steering wheel, along with the airbag etc, may be worth leaving to a mechanic or someone you trust. 

On 27/06/2020 at 15:25, mrgf said:

...Theres a slight possibility that you might be able to spray a bit of WD40 or similar, into the switch area, let it penetrate and then try switching the lever through its movements a few times, perhaps with ignition off, so as to let the cleaning/lubing take effect. Then try testing the functions again. Otherwise I would agree with the need to replace the switch. I would almost certainly think the switch was to blame as other functions seem ok. I would not suspect fuses unless the intermittent had a separate one, but it could also be dodgy terminals say, on the motor itself.

If you are not mechanically minded, removing the steering wheel, along with the airbag etc, may be worth leaving to a mechanic or someone you trust. 

NOT WD40? - Electrical Contact Cleaner by WD40 or similar brand YES. but not the lubricating oil wd40? 

I think that would depend on the switch... WD will clean and lube. Some switches will be more then happy with that but some won't (Boot pop, for example-hates oil and will fail if you lube it). Some oil-based cleaners will leave residue which  will conduct electricity fine and prevent water ingress. There is, of course, the possibility of oil-based cleaners getting contaminated again, with dust and the suchlike so its really a choice. 

 

Spray on graphite used to be great for locks, etc but is a pain to obtain, for some reason. I use the powder one now, on locks. WD40 claims to be great for locks, switches and 100's of other things.

Edited 3 July, 20205 yr by mrgf