Wiper issues

EXILED FALCON · 9th February 2013, 14:56

Hi,

Helllllpppp please!!

When driving to work the other day my wipers came on for no reason and wouldn't go off. The rear one goes off if you switch it off and on but comes back on if I touch the front wiper stalk and no longer comes on in reverse.

My friend spent hours looking at it and he seems to have ruled out a load of potentials....the motor is fine, wiring seems ok, the ECU seemed to be ok. The only slight possible clue was there seems to be a click from the glove box direction when the wipers start which is after a bit of a delayed time.

The scoopshers don't come on at all now and when I try the back wiper comes back on.

Does anyone have any suggestions please.

As much as I genuinely love the car and it has been trouble free in the time I have had it, giving me brilliant mpg on a regular basis, the thought of having to spend hundreds for what seems like a simple problem is a bit sickening and even if I say I've had enough I can't even sell it as the constant wipers is a bit of an off put, even to someone like We Buy Any Car I would imagine.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Car is Zt-T diesel 2005 registration.

Cheers
J

EXILED FALCON · 9th February 2013, 16:46

Sorry I should meant to say earlier that the only avenue we really didn't explore was the looking at the switches on the steering column as we were a bit reluctant to activate the air bag. Is removing the column cowling and accessing the switch a simple task? I really don't want to cause any chaos in there!

Thanks all

Dave Goody · 9th February 2013, 18:38

The first thing I would do is check the plenum for water ingress

funny things happen when the ECU gets wet

ProfDave · 9th February 2013, 19:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Goody

The first thing I would do is check the plenum for water ingress

funny things happen when the ECU gets wet

as he says!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! look there soon Do not want a submerged ECU!

EXILED FALCON · 10th February 2013, 11:08

Guys, thanks for the advice.

We had a good root around the ECU and removed it from where it sits and also took off its cover. There didn't really seem to be any signs of water ingress to be honest.

I know this maybe sounds a bit naive but is it a possibility it could be an issue in the steering column switch? It's maybe me being stupid but I had the car in the garage I've used for years and he said neither he nor a passing auto electrician could find anything and he'd need it for longer to have a good look. However there is no apparent sign if any removing of the column cowling and I would have thought that would be the first port of call so to speak. But that is maybe why I work with spreadsheets not cars!!

oldcarguy · 10th February 2013, 11:11

Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes?, it seems to cure a lot of silly faults.

EXILED FALCON · 10th February 2013, 11:24

Hi, yes, that was one of the last resort desperation attempts!

No luck however.

Thanks anyway.

If the absolute worst comes to the absolute worst, can someone tell me how much a replacement ECU costs supplied and fitted....even roughly. Don't worry, my weekend is already spoiled!

Dave Goody · 10th February 2013, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXILED FALCON

Hi, yes, that was one of the last resort desperation attempts!

No luck however.

Thanks anyway.

If the absolute worst comes to the absolute worst, can someone tell me how much a replacement ECU costs supplied and fitted....even roughly. Don't worry, my weekend is already spoiled!

were there signs of water in the plenum? ie. pollen filter in a mess?
check this before buying a new ECU. If it is obvious the plenum has flooded a drying out session can sort it or it may be repaired. The "ECU Doctor" [do a search] has had good results for many at reasonable prices.

EXILED FALCON · 10th February 2013, 15:06

Hi,

No, there didn't seem to be any undue evidence of water ... certainly nothing to cause alarm apparently. Trouble is I'm not too confident of rumaging around with the electrics for fear of causing greater chaos.

Thanks for the link...certainly a bit more palatable than some of the horrow quotes I've been picking up.

chrissyboy · 10th February 2013, 15:19

any code reader that reads k-bus and display panel should come back with stork problem,i believe the stork is faulty if you was to power the wipers they should work .by powering them or becoming the switch so it would show the switch on the stork is faulty

9th February 2013, 14:56	#1
EXILED FALCON Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: GLASGOW Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wiper issues Hi, Helllllpppp please!! When driving to work the other day my wipers came on for no reason and wouldn't go off. The rear one goes off if you switch it off and on but comes back on if I touch the front wiper stalk and no longer comes on in reverse. My friend spent hours looking at it and he seems to have ruled out a load of potentials....the motor is fine, wiring seems ok, the ECU seemed to be ok. The only slight possible clue was there seems to be a click from the glove box direction when the wipers start which is after a bit of a delayed time. The scoopshers don't come on at all now and when I try the back wiper comes back on. Does anyone have any suggestions please. As much as I genuinely love the car and it has been trouble free in the time I have had it, giving me brilliant mpg on a regular basis, the thought of having to spend hundreds for what seems like a simple problem is a bit sickening and even if I say I've had enough I can't even sell it as the constant wipers is a bit of an off put, even to someone like We Buy Any Car I would imagine. Any advice would be gratefully received. Car is Zt-T diesel 2005 registration. Cheers J

9th February 2013, 18:38	#3
Dave Goody This is my second home 15 years of 75s & ZTs now an XTrail Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Danbury, Essex Posts: 3,761 Thanks: 18 Thanked 88 Times in 56 Posts	The first thing I would do is check the plenum for water ingress funny things happen when the ECU gets wet __________________ ZT 190 X Power Grey The Only Colour is this Dark Silver!! When I was a kid I was scared of earwigs because I thought they actually lived in your ears. I was even more terrified of cockroaches!

10th February 2013, 15:19	#10
chrissyboy This is my second home lovely little ford focus. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: East Dulwich Posts: 7,877 Thanks: 2 Thanked 82 Times in 68 Posts	any code reader that reads k-bus and display panel should come back with stork problem,i believe the stork is faulty if you was to power the wipers they should work .by powering them or becoming the switch so it would show the switch on the stork is faulty __________________ [ I'm really confused. -I keep dreaming I'm an insomniac

9th February 2013, 16:46	#2
EXILED FALCON Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: GLASGOW Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Sorry I should meant to say earlier that the only avenue we really didn't explore was the looking at the switches on the steering column as we were a bit reluctant to activate the air bag. Is removing the column cowling and accessing the switch a simple task? I really don't want to cause any chaos in there! Thanks all

10th February 2013, 11:08	#5
EXILED FALCON Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: GLASGOW Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Guys, thanks for the advice. We had a good root around the ECU and removed it from where it sits and also took off its cover. There didn't really seem to be any signs of water ingress to be honest. I know this maybe sounds a bit naive but is it a possibility it could be an issue in the steering column switch? It's maybe me being stupid but I had the car in the garage I've used for years and he said neither he nor a passing auto electrician could find anything and he'd need it for longer to have a good look. However there is no apparent sign if any removing of the column cowling and I would have thought that would be the first port of call so to speak. But that is maybe why I work with spreadsheets not cars!!

10th February 2013, 11:11	#6
oldcarguy Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Conn SE Tourer Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Driffield Posts: 1,952 Thanks: 27 Thanked 151 Times in 125 Posts	Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 30 minutes?, it seems to cure a lot of silly faults.

10th February 2013, 11:24	#7
EXILED FALCON Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: GLASGOW Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi, yes, that was one of the last resort desperation attempts! No luck however. Thanks anyway. If the absolute worst comes to the absolute worst, can someone tell me how much a replacement ECU costs supplied and fitted....even roughly. Don't worry, my weekend is already spoiled!

10th February 2013, 15:06	#9
EXILED FALCON Regular poster MG ZT-T Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: GLASGOW Posts: 33 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi, No, there didn't seem to be any undue evidence of water ... certainly nothing to cause alarm apparently. Trouble is I'm not too confident of rumaging around with the electrics for fear of causing greater chaos. Thanks for the link...certainly a bit more palatable than some of the horrow quotes I've been picking up.