stranded windshield wipers
 

Hello folks,

I'm writing to you from Belgium, sorry if my English is a bit rough. I got a 1.8 75 in Ardeen green that needs help.

I haven't had wipers for 5 months now, despite my best efforts. It all started with intermittent operation. When I put the wipers on, it took 5 minutes for them to start. I thought of the wipers-motor, but didn't react immediately. After a few days, the 5 minutes had become 15 or 20 minutes, which is pretty annoying given the "so british" weather we get here too.
And then... someday, nothing. So the problem didn't come all at once, it took a while to settle in. I should point out that the windshield washer works very well, but doesn't engage the wipers.

- At first, I wanted to change the wipers-motor, but by giving it 12v, it works just fine. So, it's not the motor.
- I changed the wiper switch (commodo in french, not sur in English), I changed the two relays in the motor bay (the green ones). That didn't fix anything. So it's not relay or switch.
- I cleaned all the contactors (ECU, BCU, motor, ...) it didn't change anything. So it's not bad connexion.
- I went to an old Rover garage that still got the T4. T4 says that everything is fine. So i'm just "meh"...
- After the advises of the mechanic-guy, I changed the BCU, which changed nothing about the wipers (except that I lost remote opening/closing via the key). So it's not the BCU.

I looked for a broken wire, but didn't see anything. Any idea what it could be? I'm getting used to driving without wipers, but it's dangerous, and more annoying, the roadworthiness test is coming up and it's something that's going to be checked here.

Thanks for you time and help

Have a read at this thread https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...ad.php?t=57885
The advice given by BigRuss on these matters is usually very reliable.

Good luck!

Thanks, i still have to try the things with the bulb, but i checked for a broken cable and i can't find any.
On the other hand, i found a red cable that seems to be unpluged. Is it normal (like an option the car don't have) ?

i don't know were it's supposed to be plugged in.

https://i.ibb.co/3zRPn0J/20240425-151609.jpg

Red/white is normally instrument lighting - panel lights.

Hello Sam,

Which type of fusebox does your 2001 saloon have in the passenger footwell:

1. The early design with fuses in neat rows?
2. The later design with mini fuses in two blocks and a staggered arrangement?

We will need to make some measurements with a multimeter to trace your fault.

Apart from the wipers, are there any other electrical problems with the car's body equipment?

Simon

wow, curious, it's not the cable to switch on the glove box, it's on the left.
Hello Simon, thanks for the reply, sorry for coming back late (crazy week). It's the first version, neat row.
Everything works perfectly: air conditioning, electric and heated seats, electric windows, fog lights, windscreen washers, ... everything. Except for one thing: the remote key control since I changed the BCU. But I'm realising that changing the BCU was pointless, so maybe I'll put the original one back in.

I can only think of wiring as an explanation, but my electrical skills are basic at secondary school level, but I've got a multimeter, and with patience and a good explanation I think I'll be able to do it.

Windscreen wipers not working
 

Yes, definitely do that Sam.

We'll start with the basic checks. In the engine compartment fuse box, remove fuse 10 (20 amps) to check that it's intact and that the blades are nice, bright, clean metal. Use your multimeter (as I'm sure you remember) on the lowest resistance range to confirm continuity after touching the meter probes together to ensure that the display reads 0Ω or very close to it.

Also look at the fuse blade sockets in the fusebox for cleanliness.

Simon

Hello Simon,

i changed the BCU for the original ; i checked all the fuse with this little orange fuse tester and there are all fine.
BTW the fuse 10 is 5 amp and for the dashboard, right ?

thanks

I was expecting 20 amps feeding the windscreen wiper relays.

Simon

Are there different schemes?

In the engine bay, the fuse for the windscreen wipers is a 30a. Was it the one you were talking about?