W202 wiper parking in the vertical position

[gareth_r]

1997 C230K. The wiper still sweeps the same area of the windscreen, but it's taken to parking in an almost vertical position.

I suppose I could claim that it's an ex-BTCC racer , but I'd rather fix it. So before I start dismantling ....

Has anyone seen this problem before? Any idea where I should look? Is this likely to be electrical or a problem with the linkage?

 

[mr mercedes]

WIPER

hi gareth,
ive seen this problem before its usually the nylon gear in the wiper rack itself. it goes loose.
new wiper rack time methinks!!!!!

 

[gareth_r]

I was afraid of that

I suppose it did last 180,000 miles ....

Thanks

 

[jimsinessex]

Hi Gareth,
Interested to see you have a C230K at 180,000 miles, I have had a 1999 CLK 230K since new and now up 104,000 miles. A lot of the non-body items are similar I believe.

What has been your experience with non-routine relacements? Things that spring to mind are poly-vbelts, alternator(mines a Valeo, thought it would be a Bosch), exhaust and cat, g/box, suspension, etc, etc.

So far exceptional items on mine have been the kompressor(cluctch brg failed, new komp reqd), throttle body and MAS.

My aim is to try and make sensible replacements before they cause a breakdown. So far have relaced the battery, still ok but had done 5 winters, and poly-vbelts planned for next service.

Cheers, Jim

 

[kaleem]

Hi gareth_r
I just had a similar issue with my W202. The wiper would swing to the middle of the screen .. pause... swing over to the passenger side... pause again .. then stop again on its way back to the drive side.
With only 1 wiper.. its funny how your almost paralysed without it!!
I went to my local dealer and had it checked out.
He said the gearing probably needs to be replaced. However, when they opened up the assembly, it was just a matter of cleaning and oiling.
Now they r quite and glide perfectly!
However, my Mercs done 63k... so dont know if that may be an issue?
Good luck.

 

[panason1c]

Hi, The usual reason for the problem that you describe is simply that the nut that secures the wiper linkage 'arm' directly to the tapered spindle of the wiper motor has loosened allowing the arm to have 'shifted' position on the tapered spindle resulting in the new parking position....i have previouslydiscovered this being the reason on two C class vehicles where in each case the main agents were suggesting a complete wiper assembly replacement was necessary to the owners.

Access and removal of the complete assembly is very easy, just re-align the arm on the spindle and tighten the nut, no replacement parts necessary!.