I have a Ducato 2.2 JTD as the base model for our motor home, we have been having problems where the wipers would only work intermittently when the engine is running, but works fine when engine turned off.

The van is out on manufactures warranty as it was only 2 years, so i have had it at the local auto electricians. He has tracked this down to the alternator over charging, thus when the engine is running it is causing the problem. Auto Electrician is recommended from more than 1 person and have been around a long time so have faith that diagnosis is correct.

Have not been able to speak to the auto electrician personally since, partner has been liaising with him.

Anyone know why it has failed it is a March 2008 model motor home so could have been stood around a bit before it was sold to us, though it was new. I new there was some minor alteration due to water ingress, could this be the cause!

build year?

At first the auto electrician thought it might be an alternator problems, but having put on a different alternator, this is not the problem.

This same problem is also having an affect with the lights on dip beam, in that when the wipers work the dip beam does not. When the engine is running the lights work. Even stranger is that if the lights and wipers are put on together with the engine running they both work!

The Auto Electrician who has had it for 2 days has not been able to locate the fault, he is convinced that it is a component fault, but which one he is not sure. When he removes the relay for either the wipers or the lights the other works fine!



I've spoken to the local Fiat Auto Electrician, who sounded as though anything with more than 1 syllable and he was struggling to cope, so i spoke to another dealership, who though it could be a Body Computer Fault, and that if this was the case expect £300-£400 (it is unfortunately out of warranty) but until he connects it up to his computer he can not confirm this.

The fault has only come to light in the last few weeks, when we were going to go away in the van but not having any wipers and it raining that was stopped.

I am talking to another Auto Electrician who has a Texa Diagnostic Machine and he thinks that this may pick up the fault. I do not fancy paying the £75+ per hour that Fiat charge to put on their computer hence speaking with other Auto Electrician.

The only other thing that may have caused a problem, was that after the van had been for it's habitation check the battery was flat so it had to be recharged, just wondered if this may have had any had in the problem, as i have been told that the Body Computer can be scrambled if the earth and live cables are connected up wrong!

Any ideas appreciated