Wiper Relay??

[Ed]

Hey guys,

I've just got my third Fiat - a 1998 Brava 1.4

Stupidly I tried to get rid of a whole load of snow with my front wipers - now they've completely packed in.

I've checked the fuse and this seems ok because the back wiper still works.

Doing a bit of reading around, I think it may be the wiper relay rather than the motor - could anyone tell me if this is likely??

Also, where is this relay located?? I would have thought it was in the fuse box but now I'm guessing it's attached to the wiper motor - is this difficult to get to?

Also also, is there another similar (less vital)relay which I can swap around while I await a new part??

Too many questions? I hope not.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Ed,

bad luck there mate. remember to unstick dem wipers before turning on motor.

I wouldn't have thought the relay would have gone as a result of that. a fuse, yes, very likely as an overload would result. however as from owning many vehicles over the years now, its more of a chance the motor unit has knackered. the solid brush unit that deals with the wiper timing, ie the intermittent to constant, ( gives the start and stop motor position) will have burnt out somewhere. that will need replacing. thus you'll change the whole motor unit. obviously mounted under the windscreen finisher plate.
i'd pay no more than £15 from a breakers.

Andy80sxtra

 

[Ed]

Thanks Andy,

I think I was hoping it was the relay as it would be cheaper and easier.

I just thought that because there is no response at all it may have been an electrical problem - does a knackered motor display those same symptoms??

And what do you think the chances of a complete novice changing a wiper motor are?

Ed

 

[Anonymous]

a few years ago, this very problem happened to my astra. done usual checks, fuse relay, then took motor out, stripped it, and thus was the problem.

Good thing is that you'll probably find it more tricky and time consuming removing the wiper arms and winscreen finisher than changing the motor unit itself. That'll have prob 4 bolts to secure motor to bulkhead, and a nut( look out for a washer) on the motor spindle. (remove this first -then securing bolts)

Easey wipers, undo bolt, and apply some pressure at the wiper arm hinge, wiggle and lift from other (short) end. easy !
45min job for expert,
1 1/2 hour intermediate,
2+ hours, you've done something well wrong.

Andy80sxtra