R107 wipers won't turn off!!!!

[zedmeister]

I bought a R107 1985 280SL recently. The wipers used to run on "0" but off on "1". They also used to turn on when indicating - very annoying! So I figured it was the stalk. I purchased a brand new stalk and I have just fitted it - now the wipers run on every setting when the ignition is on! I guess someone rigged it so there was no power on "1" on the old stalk. The wipers seem to run at the same speed on all the settings including "0" except they are faster on "III". There is no intermittent function also.

Does this sound like a relay fault or the motor? Any ideas?

 

[brianbrian]

Wipers

I would try a relay, easy and cheap to fit, buy one of EBay. Also change the fuses if not all ready done.

 

[zedmeister]

I would try a relay, easy and cheap to fit, buy one of EBay. Also change the fuses if not all ready done.

Thanks - do you know where the relay is located and which one it is? Also, if it was a fuse wouldn't it just not work?

 

[robparker]

Relay is probably up under the driver's side dash

 

[zedmeister]

Relay is probably up under the driver's side dash

Would you say its near the place where the stalk plugs in under the steering? Or behind the binnacle or near the fuse box?

Do you have one of these in stock?

 

[robparker]

I don't know 107s very well, on my 116 (which is same era) I had to take the cover off under the dash that side and just get my head in with a torch and have a look, I think it was up around the steering column near the clocks, yours may be slightly different, you just need to look. If you find a relay note the part number and look it up (Google will do) to see if it's the relay you are looking for. I may have one depending on number, you can email me once you have it if you like.

 

[zedmeister]

Ok, found the relay above the fuse box. Replaced with an untested one I had. Now I have no wipers on "0" and "I" and I have slow on "II" and fast on "III". At least the car is drivable. Also, the wipers do not park when switching back to "0" or "I". Does that sound like the relay is still at fault? Is the intermittent mode controlled by the relay or the motor itself?

Also, new problem - the ABS light now flashes on for a sec and then off rather than staying on before starting. Any idea? Have I just damaged my OVP relay as well?

 

[brianbrian]

Change OVP fuse, try another relay for the wipers.

 

[zedmeister]

Change OVP fuse, try another relay for the wipers.

Thanks - OVP behind glovebox on R107 or in the same place under drivers footwell?

 

[zedmeister]

Just for others, the OVP is located behind the glovebox - just remove the 4 studs and the glovebox comes out. The wiper relay is above the fuse box.

Anyway, changed the wiper relay with a used one and all is good. Wipers now work on intermittent and park correctly!

However, the OVP relay fuse is good. When I turn on the ignition, the ABS light briefly flashes twice and then stays off. I bought another OVP relay and tried that but it did not fix it. I took the dash out and changed all the bulbs and the ABS light worked correctly once - ie. it stayed on with the ignition before starting, however it has now gone back to doing the double blink after changing out all the bulbs behind the dash. I have tried wiggling all the wires to see if there is a short.

Can anyone advise why it is doing that? The ABS light is much brighter than the other bulbs for worn brakes, etc even though they are all 3w. Is that normal? Could it be a broken earth somewhere? What happens on ignition with regards to the ABS system? I notice that the warm idle is now high at just over 1000RPM which is what happens when you have an OVP problem.

Any suggestions what to check next?