Hi chaps. Odd problem with the wipers on the S Type that has culminated in them not working at all unless they are physically encouraged by hand once the speed on the stalk is selected.. Just a light pull and they start off and work fine until they need to be used again. Not the best approach when you're on the motorway!

I had noticed over a period of months that the intermittent wipe would not work on occasion, then the slow wipe went the same. Both problems were overcome by pushing the stalk to high speed, which always worked.

Then, high speed decided to pack up in a rainstorm the other day.

Fuse is good, relays are both good and the switch was replaced. They are not 'rain sensing' wipers or 'speed controlled' wipers, just standard.

Any suggestions?

 

431 views and not a single idea? No-one? OK, it's got me stumped too, but when I find out what it is, I'll be sure to share it with you all....

 

Everyone's probably thinking it's a first (which I think it is) and wondering what the cause & fix are....

 

I'm making progress, so will update as and when.

 

The assembly isn't coming out with further dismantling, but I WD40'd and greased up the linkages and ran the wipers at various settings on and off for an hour, no issues.
Put the assembly and cowling back together and it was still working.
Put the wiper arms on and it doesn't work.
Even pulling or pushing the arms makes no difference now, but careful firm poking of the linkage on the motor willl kick it off again. The energy needed to move the wipers on the screen seems to cause the issue. I can stop the wipers with my hand and so it gives up even to the point of the wipers stopping halfway up the screen if I want accompanied by a grumbling buzzing from the motor area. I have to physically move the wipers on to sort that out.

So, it would appear to be a wiper motor issue or the wiring connected with it. Not enough current?
I've read about the 'park' position issues that can happen and that would make sense, but I need to work out whether it's the wiper motor or the associated wiring.

 

Got the wiper motor out but it's not possible to dismantle it. It's all sealed and in any case, not sure what I'd be looking for in there.
A new wiper motor is ££££s, so will be an expensive guess and a second hand one may be just as bad, if this one is bad.

Could be an earth issue, so anyone know where to start?

 

I don't think I'd be able to stop my wipers (and would not try for fear of injury or damage).

So could be bad motor or bad power.

 

With the motor sat on top the manifold wired up just now it quite happily rotated on intermittant settting BUT during a 10 minute period, it did stop a couple of times on it's own. Wiggling wires did nothing, but a sharp tap with a hammer on the alloy casing of the motor kicked it into life both times. It hasn't done it since but I know it will as soon as I put it all together again.
Going to try another motor, see what happens, it's either £50 down the pan or it's going to make me a happy bunny again.

 

I think you found the problem. It's the motor.
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Motor replaced and all good so far...
Not that easy, as you have to dismantle the motor from the linkage in situ unless you want to remove the brake servo to gain access.