We have recently bought a 2010 Fabia 1.6 Tdi, (left-hand drive) which I believe is a Mark II. It's a good car in all respects except one: the windscreen wipers come on at random, for one or two or three wipes; they can stop for some minutes and then wipe again.  It seems they may be triggered by either indicating (left or right) or turning the wheel for a rightangle bend. They seem to jump when the engine is started. There is a Reset button on the wiper stalk which isn't mentioned in the manual or anywhere else; we've tried using this and it seemed to stop the problem, but it didn't last. I once had a Polo which sounded its horn every time the wheel was turned to the right, so I'm beginning to think the problem must be similarly to be found in the steering column. Any ideas? Many thanks.

The reset is for such things as resetting the mileage range on the trip computer, etc. It sounds as though you may have issues with the internal parts of the switch or the part referred to as the clock wheel. They might have become gummed up or simply worn out. Is there any kind of looseness in the switch levers... Either for the wiper stalk or the signals?

Edited 13 October, 20205 yr by mrgf

HI, mrgf, and thanks for your response. To clarify, the reset button I mean is the one on the bottom of the stalk - OK Reset - not the trip button on the end.

There is no looseness at all in either switch  - both are satisfactorily firm.

 

I can't work out how to just add to my reply to mrgf - hope you can read this.

It seems today that if we are driving along and then brake for a junction  or for traffic - a firmish sort of braking - the wipers swipe once. It's been a very wet day so we've had rear and front wipers going, and the front ones have done their impromptu thing with repeated swipes at times without being asked; but we noticed that when it wasn't raining and they weren't switched on, they would work when braking. Does thia make any sense to you?

The ok/reset button will reset the mileage and stuff, on the trip meters. it will also switch from one to two on the mileage/fuel usage trips. You can look at one and clear without clearing the other, so to speak. 

As for the weird wiper issue, sounds like a wiring fault but often, these things turn out to be say, the module that operates the wipers or the clock switch thing, inside the steering cowl. Sometimes, electrical gremlins can be helped by removing the battery earth (Neg -) cable for a while, then refitting. This will lose you the time and the window auto functions will need to be reset but thats simple enough. 

Hi again, mrgf. I've got a new take on the wiper thing. Yesterday we had a spare key made as there was only one with the car. The spare is a manual key, the original does the central locking. Today when we went out, we decided to try the new key to make sure it worked, which it did - and the wipers didn't move once. They didn't jump when the engine was turned on either. So maybe the fault lies with the electronics to do with the original key. (I'm touching wood here as it may change its mind tomorrow!)

Perhaps change the battery in the remote, so as to give a nice clear, clean signal as it may be as old as the car. I hope it is just the key but then, does the spare just open the car or will it physically run the car? You can sometimes get what is known as a valet key, which will open the car and I think, turn the electrics on but it will not start the engine as it will have no transponder/immobiliser. 

 

Oh, I just re=read the post and you said "...When the engine was turned on...", so you must have a fully functioning key, albeit no remote.

Hi again, mrgf, we changed the battery in the remote, and it's worked! No wipers wiping when they're not supposed to. The old battery had a reasonable amount of charge, so maybe it was just shuffling things about a bit that made all the difference, but we're leaving the new battery is in place. Both keys run the car, by the way. The remote only locks and unlocks.

 

We are now happy Skoda drivers. It seems like a solid little car, willing and nippy, and just what's needed for narrow country lanes. Now, if we can stop it saying 'Error' whenever we turn on the engine, we'll be even happier!

 

Thanks for all your help.

Fault display
If there is a fault in the instrument cluster Error will appear continuously in the display. Ensure the fault is rectified as soon as possible by ŠKODA a specialist ga- rage.

 

 

I copied that from an online manual. Hopefully, someone else here might be able to help you either code it out and see if it returns or decide what the fault is...

It may also be in relation to a newer model.

Edited 22 October, 20205 yr by mrgf