Windscreen wipers don't turn off, come on by themselves.

 

I know this subject has been covered before but to make it even easier to find and to give an end result and my take on it.

 

Plus show where the fuse for the wipers (30 amp) actually is rather than the confusing diagram in the driver's instruction handbook 'OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS'.  - http://manual.skoda-auto.com/004/en-com/Model/Fabia_NJ  

 

The windscreen wipers at first started to occasionally switch themselves on, at the first intermittent setting of the stalk for my wife's 2015  (MY 2016) Fabia Mk 3, they progressed to being on when ever the ignition was on.

 

The repair was quite straight forward with the help of following a good clear video and, as with many car servicing, maintenance and repairs, boiled down to cleaning and lubricating - but in this case cleaning off the lubrication.

 

The wiper stalk either had too much or the wrong sort of grease applied to the moving knuckle (and box) end of the stalk (probably at factory) and it had got all over the contacts causing the problem.

 

Later I've put the link to the very good video with clear, simple, friendly instruction (which I picked up from another thread on this site) but a few notes might also help with it.

 

As well as general tools you will need to have or beg or borrow an M12 Triple Square XZN Spline tool bit for the big screw that holds the steering wheel on - and I'd add some thread lock back on that screw when putting it back and T25, T15, T10 Torx screwdrivers, and a small pick is useful to raise the orange locking tab bit on the airgbag connector plus a can of good quality contact cleaner.  After cleaning for contact switch lubrication I use Servisol Super 10 Switch Cleaning Lubricant.

 

My other variances from the video were that I didn't need the battery connected to move the steering wheel just have the key in the ignition switch to turned to first position to release the steering lock.  The steering wheel will feel heavier to turn as it's now unassisted.  I also used a couple of old plastic spatulas to part the plastic steering wheel cowl, this parts them enough to lift the top part forwards and up to unclip it (easier to do than me to explain).  I used a screwdriver instead of a bigger pick (as I don't have one) to release the airbag clips, very easy to do once you can get your head in the right place to see the clip.  Take care not to pull the orange locking tab bit on the airbag connector up too far.  (EFC:) The "clock spring" is what gives the airbag contact to the wiring loom.  I also thought it might be easier to replace the bottom part of the steering wheel cowl before putting the steering wheel back, but I can't be sure as I forgot to try.  I personally wouldn't put grease back on as that's where it started, as put I use Servisol Super 10 Switch Cleaning Lubricant, I have done for decades for other electrics.

 

A cracking video, clear, simple, friendly instruction - 

 

 

Thanks to the video the wipers work again as they should.

 

HTH.  Cheers, Nigel.

 

 

Edited 28 April28 Apr by nta16
edited for a correction

have exactly the same issue,  will give the above a try, thanks

35 minutes ago, challengedavid said:

have exactly the same issue,  will give the above a try, thanks

 

Do, as it's not difficult, or I wouldn't have been able to do it, can be a bit fiddly and slightly awkward as these jobs often are but allow yourself plenty of time and keep checking the video if you need to.

 

If you find refitting the bottom half of the steering column cowl before putting the steering wheel back on good could you please report back and let me know and I'll add that to my post, same if I'm wrong and it doesn't help I'll remove the idea, I just plumb forgot.

 

Let us know how you get on.  Cheers.

all done and dusted

guide was helpful thankyou

i fitted the cowl after fitting the wheel back on

 

the hardest part was getting the connectors out,  did not want to break anything, all good in th end

 

for a car thats only done 12k in 6 years thats 3 faults now fixed!

16 minutes ago, challengedavid said:

all done and dusted

guide was helpful thankyou

i fitted the cowl after fitting the wheel back on

 

the hardest part was getting the connectors out,  did not want to break anything, all good in th end

 

for a car thats only done 12k in 6 years thats 3 faults now fixed!

Well done.

 

Thanks go to Igor, the video maker and repairer and whoever first put that video on this site for me to copy it here.

 

Did you fit the cowl after because you forgot or didn't trust my idea (who told you how bad I am). 

 

Yes I found parting the connectors, especially the one to the airbag detonator, a little tricky but Igor made it look so easy.

 

At 12k-miles it depends how the mileage was built up, if it's lots of short journeys  and/or lots parked up for ages then that can be more waring on many components and parts than a car that is used regularly for reasonable length journeys.

 

With classics those that don't know them often might think a low mileage car and low use car is better, they often learn otherwise quite quickly.

 

I could be fixing 3 faults every journey on my Midget and probably still never catch up as more ****-poor modern rubbish parts cause more issues and hassles.  

 

I changed the transmission oil on my wife's car as it normally only does very short journeys most days (IIRC 28k-miles in 5 years) and that made a noticeable improvement, I keep meaning to put a thread up on that.