'03 C5 Hatchback

[Bodorgan]

Hi Guys, I've just bought a C5 HDi LX Hatchback Reg '03. It's quite low mileage and in excellent condition. Only niggle I can find on it is that the wipers don't return to their parking position, but stay raised about 3". It's not a major issue, but I would like to get it sorted if at all possible. I don't have an Owner's Manual with the vehicle so I'm not even sure if it's just something I'm doing wrong, perhaps it's some sort of feature I'm unaware of.

Any help on this issue gratefully received.

 

Thanks.

[Randombloke]

With some PSA cars the wipers sit up about 3" when the car is set to the automatic or intermittent wipe position.

 

Set them to off to check if this is the case. On some cars off is not the lowest position.

 

Worth trying to find an Owner's Manual for download.

[Bodorgan]

Thanks Randombloke, 

Only "Off" position is the Auto so can't make any difference to rest position. When in motion wipers do move through the normal park position, but then return to raised/3" up/really annoying just in field of vision position.

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

It could be the wiper arm linkage needs its position adjusting where it is fastened on to the wiper motor or maybe there is some wear in the linkage. The Haynes manual says the motor spindle is fastened to the linkage by a nut and possibly the previous owner has tightened the nut with the wiper arms parked in the wrong position. To access it needs the scuttle at the bottom of the windscreen removing, so first mark the wiper arms on the spindles then remove the wiper arms from the spindles (puller probably needed), at the ends of the scuttle the trims need removing (prise up the black rubber cover, undo the torx bolt, prise away the top edge then pull the trim rearwards to release it but be careful not to break the peg holding it down), undo the 4 torx bolts holding the scuttle then pull it down to unhook the plastic clips from the back of the windscreen.

 

If you look at the windscreen there may be marks on it showing where the wiper arms are supposed to be parked, a bit like a square with a fork cut out in the black area of the glass. The normal parked position should be inside the black area, a bit above the plastic scuttle. If you push the wiper switch arm after removing the ignition key, then the wipers go vertical for blade replacement, cleaning the car.

 

As a new owner, the Haynes manual is worth getting, it does not cover the 2.2 hdi engine but the rest of it is relevant. Also before jacking the car up the suspension should be raised to the max height to avoid possible suspension problems. Do not go under the car without using axle stands since if the height sensors on the anti roll bars are knocked, the suspension can quickly drop to only a few inches above the ground.

 

If the driver's footwell is wet, then whilst the scuttle is removed you will see where rain can drip in to the cabin air intake and then run down it and at its rear join go down the inside of the bulkhead panel and to the footwell. On our previous 2004 C5 I applied a lot of sealant at this join, drilled holes in the base of the intake to let out water, put a ridge of sealant behind the holes before the join and then fit a metal plate over the top of the intake fastened to the wiper linkage to direct any water away from the intake - problem solved. On the mark 2 C5 this intake is not fitted so another option possibly is to remove it and fit a mesh over the bulkhead opening.

[paul.h]

Often the handbook is left in one of the drawers under a front seat so worth a check. There is some info here http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/21352-c5-2lt-diesel-estate-2001/ that may help but you can ask on here for things you wish to know. Also look at the C5 Technical section pinned Common Problems post for some things to look out for.