W202 Wiper Problem

[tombance]

Hi guys!

I have a 1999 C220 CDI with a strange wiper problem. I have extensively read many threads on this but my problem seems to be different to everyone elses. Issues are:

1) Sometimes the wiper will randomly switch itself on in the slow speed position, make a random number of sweeps (anywhere from 2 sweeps to a solid 20 seconds worth), then shut off and park. This can happen at any time.

2) If I switch it to intermittent, 80% of the time it will run at slow instead.

3) If I switch it to slow, it will work fine but has a habit of getting stuck at various points in the screen. I can fix this by changing setting, then quickly changing back.

4) If I switch it to fast, it will fast sweep for about 2 seconds, then slow down to slow speed, and will once again stop sometimes at random places

In any mode, if I switch the wiper off, it will most likely continue at slow speed for some time before it finally turns off.

Note, the car DOES NOT have a rain sensing wiper. The mechanism is smooth, well lubricated, and parks where it should.

I don't think this is a stalk problem, as it changes mode correctly as you would expect.

I think it is a problem with the motor, in particular the way the motor decides to start and stop itself. I took the cover off and the contacts and slip rings looked clean and unworn. However I don't think this is an OE motor, it seems to be branded 'Vista' or something. Maybe its just a cheap replacement motor and the slip rings aren't manufactured very well??

Or maybe its a relay? My car seems to be the newer type with the 2 small yellow relays rather than the N20.

Any insight would be much appreciated! This is becoming quite a problem now that winter is on its way.

Tom

 

[television]

Looks to me like it all needs some lubrication all over.

 

[yorkshire1]

wiper

could well be an ECU type problem as I know that my wipers slow or go to intermittent when I come to a stop/junction etc regardless of stalk position, and the rear wiper engages with reverse when front wipers are on so theres obviously more to it than power - stalk - wipers unfortunately

 

[tombance]

Oh dear, perhaps I should have gone for a W124!

OK, well like I said I think it is fairly well lubed. However, I will take it apart and relube it (I think the gears underneath may need some grease) and will have a tinker with the park position at the same time.

I read another thread that said it was possible to provoke the motor into starting on its own by pulling/pushing on the motor shaft. Think I'll give this a go.

 

[EmilysDad]

A Smart Roadster's wipers do similar things when water has got inside the motor .... as it often does. What's it like inside your wiper's motor?

 

[tombance]

Aha, do you mean the motor itself? or the gear case?

I've not checked the motor, but the gears look good, as the slip rings/contacts on top all look clean.

I'm happy to take the motor apart to have a look if thats what you mean?

 

[television]

The wiper motor has a thermal trip, if the load is too great it will trip

 

[tombance]

So that explain the stopping. But I literally can restart it within a second, for another 2 minutes, just my moving the stalk one position. Does this sound like the trip, or something else?

 

[television]

Maybe not the trip, once the stalk is operated the contact points remain closed till the cycle has been completed. The stalk is out of operation once the motor has started.

If you do a search ,member Dec has put up all the pictures and the faults that can happen.

 

[EmilysDad]

Aha, do you mean the motor itself? or the gear case?

I've not checked the motor, but the gears look good, as the slip rings/contacts on top all look clean.

I'm happy to take the motor apart to have a look if thats what you mean?

Yes, inside the motor itself

 

[tombance]

television, I found Dec's post but sadly that is for the older system with the N10 relay. Mine is a 1999 with just the two yellow relays where the N10 used to be.

I will take the wiper and motor off tomorrow afternoon, give it a good greasing, and open up the motor case to check it out. I'll also have a wiggle of certain things.

Thanks for all of the help so far guys!

 

[tombance]

Hi Guys,

Today I got a chance to look into this. Wiper off the car, motor off. First thing I checked was the motor:



Its been dry recently but this looked fine and like it had never been wet inside.

Next a pic of the motor itself. Looks like a VistaPro made in 2012:



Next I took the cover off and checked the contacts inside. It all looks OK, but after this picture was taken I wiped all of the carbon off:



Then I heavily re-greased both the inner gears, and the outer sliding mechanism.

I found that the park position was slightly incorrect, so I corrected this.

I put it all back together, and it is working fine for now. In fact, it wipes a lot quicker in all modes. Perhaps it did just need some lube after all?

I will report back with results.

 

[tombance]

Hi Guys, had my first chance to test this today, but I only drove for about 15 minutes.

It is GREATLY improved. It now operates correctly on all 3 settings, it also correctly reduces down one speed notch when I am stopped at traffic lights and such.

There is still some hesitation when it is intermittent wipe mode. Sometimes it doesn't park quite right.

I am currently missing the cover that goes over the 'shaft' of the wiper. I am hoping that it is just getting some water on this and causing it to bind up. I will try to get a replacement cover and see if that helps.

Anyway, I will be driving for about an hour tonight, so will get a chance to test it more.

 

[tombance]

It was much better for a while, but has now gone back to its old ways.

I am fairly confident now though that it is the motor, as that's the only thing I have been touching, and every time I take it apart it works OK for a while before resorting back to its old ways.

Think I'll start scouring ebay for an OE second hand motor.

 

[television]

Shame after all that work, some faults are not easy

 

[yorkshire1]

motor

if youre still looking for a motor I have a Bosch one ive had as a spare No: 0390 241 429 this is the one with the connector on the motor which I believe yours will have being a later model

I also have one with the fly lead No: 202-820-12-08 mercedes OE, german made part but not Bosch (looks like ITT or TTT)

 

[tombance]

Hi Yorkshire, thanks for the offer. I seem to have the one with the flying lead that plugs into the compartment behind the fusebox.

I have the MOT coming up, and I am a bit worried it may fail on some fairly serious rust issues (this was a £600 car with 200k miles!).

So, I've decided not to spend any money on it and just live with it for now. If it makes it through the MOT and you still have a motor I may take you up on the offer.

 

[osidian c]

seems to be a happy little wiper

 

[Hario']

Mine had issues when I bought the car, wiper would randomly stop at random positionos around the windscreen, and the intermittent/slow/fast settings were all haywire:

Replacement used wiper mechanism from ebay for £25 posted fixed the sticking issue.

Replacement stalk £15 from ebay fixed the speed setting issue, I hoped it was the N10 relay at first, but looking into it the stalks electrical contacts eventually wear out and stop the speed settings from latching..