C220 CDI - 1999(W202) - Single Wiper

[7810 red]

I had been away and the car was left un-used for 3 weeks. On re-starting the car, the single wiper blade is not working although the screen washer jets and the high beam flasher on the same stalk are working.

Are these 3 functions controlled by the same fuse? If it is the wiper motor faulty, how difficult is it to replace it myself? Where should I start checking? Someone must had this problem before.

Thank you.

 

[Dec]

Quote;” Are these 3 functions controlled by the same fuse?” the are yes, there is also a relay but am not sure of its location, someone else might comment on this.

Someone else has a similar problem here…http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=35032

Dec
Edit; if its not the fuse or relay, turn on the wipers and step out of the car to see if you can hear the motor running.

 

[Aussie Nick]

Dec and I seem to be the "W202 Wiper kids" on this forum. As Dec, Check the other current post concerning the same problem. This problem comes up quite often. I think that fundamentally the mechanism is very well engineered but it almost is too cleverly crafted and Murphy's law dictates that there is a problem with this type of design.
I would suggest that before you look any further try taking the plastic cover off the wiper arm.This is about halfway down and should unclip from the bottom of the plastic flap in an arc towards you if you are standing on the Driver's side . Examine the state of the wiper arm rod and spray some wd 40 into the base of the rod and wipe the lubricant along the shaft of the rod. Allow several minutes for penetration. Reclip the plastic flap and try running the wiper.

 

[7810 red]

C220 CDI - 1999(W202) - Single wiper Arm

Thank you for that. I just remember the same stalk operates the direction indicators. They all work with the exception of the wiper.

When I turn the wiper on from the stalk, I cannot hear the motor running at all. Should I check the power supply through any plug and relay first before deciding if the motor is faulty?

With the wiper not in action, I dare not drive the car in this un-predictable weather.

 

[Dec]

If the motor is not running (did you try all settings, intermittent/slow and fast speeds?) it must be an electrical fault, possibly stalk or fuse or relay or motor wiring, where exactly the relay is, I don’t know?

You could check the motor at the motor plug by putting 12v to it, to get at it you will need to remove the trim as in this thread… http://members.lycos.nl/mbenz/windshield_wiper.htm which is for a left-hand drive car so every thing on your car will be in reverse.

The plug from the motor just pulls off its socket, it will be located about 8 inches to the left of the motor, there are 5 pins in it, 3 on one side and 2 on the opposite side, put power to the 2 pin shown, (don’t touch the other 3 pins) in the attachment. You could use a battery charger. DON’T ATTEMPT TO PUT ANY POWER INTO THE SOCKET.

If the motor runs, then it is not the problem so the fault must be elsewhere.
If the motor dose not run then the motor is at fault, try wiggling the wires going into the motor and give it a couple of taps with the handle of a screwdriver and try again, you never know what this might turn up.

The plug in the attached picture is attached to a 1994 C class motor so I don’t know if yours is going to be the same layout

Warning; KEEP YOUR FINGERS WELL AWAY FROM THE MOTOR AND MECHINASIM

Dec

 

[Aussie Nick]

Congratulations Dec. Your posts on this topic are sensational . Wish I had the use of the information when I was undergoing the torture of taking the assembly apart.

 

[bigasotonuk]

"QUOTE" "The plug from the motor just pulls off its socket, it will be located about 8 inches to the left of the motor, there are 5 pins in it, 3 on one side and 2 on the opposite side, put power to the 2 pin shown"

The later 202s like yours, the wiper motor has a longer lead and to unplug it you will need to take the top part of the fuse panel off.

 

[Cosworth]

Please note the face lift C class W202 do not have a black plug.

They have a blue plug that is wired staight into the fuse box.

Need to unscrew that lid.

 

[anyweb]

it could be the multifunction stalk, sometimes dirt gets in them causing a lack of contact, if you've ruled everything else out (by doing whats advised above) then pop the cap off the multifunction stalk (take care because the inner spring will want to pop out) and give it a good cleaning

cheers
anyweb

 

[Dec]

Thanks to the last posters, I was afraid of that, that this one would be wired differently, however I think the best course of action is still to establish if the motor can run independent of the rest of the car

If 7810 red’s motor is the same as the one in the attachment then he could put power to the wires as indicated in attachment, he would need to disconnect the wires at the fuse box or the fuse before doing this.

However it is 50/50 as to whether it is the stalk or the motor, I have never fiddled with the stalk so don’t know how easy or difficult it is, but if it is the easiest option then I would try that first.

Dec

 

[7810 red]

Thank you for all the above. I have studied all of them but I do not have the confidence in tackling the problem on my own. I have invited one of my mechanic friends over my place one week-end and asked him to supervise me so that I can learn at the same time. It only cost me a dinner.
When I applied power to the plug, the motor was still dead. We were nearly 100% sure that it was the motor which was the problem.
On rining round the specialist scrap yards, there was one in our locality which specialised in Mercedes parts, I was quoted £100 for a second hand motor WITHOUT guarantee. It did not tke us long to decide to go for a new motor. Now the wiper is working perfectly and I have peace of mind. At least I have learned something new this time.
I have kept the old motor so that I can stripe it apart later on when I have 5 minutes. I want to see what caused it to pack up!

Thank you all for your effort and spiritual support. If I have trouble again, I shall come back and ask.

 

[Dec]

We would all be interested in your findings, a photo perhaps if it can show the fault.

Dec

 

[7810 red]

C220 CDI - 1999 (W202) - Single wiper

It had turned out to be the motor as shown in Dec's thumbnail. The old motor did not work on any setting (slow, intermittent or fast). Now, a new motor has been fitted and all is well.
By the way, the motor does not have 5 terminals. It has a thin rectangular plug with 4 slots/terminals.
Thank you all for your support.