Front Wipers Not Working!

[Tucker9037]

Anyone know any known fixes for my c5. My front wipers have decided to stop working. I had them on for about 5 min last night before they started moving but today they will not move at all.

[Tucker9037]

It's a 2008 c5 tourer 1.6hdi.

[paul.h]

A first guess would be the wiper motor needs replacing. However, each wiper blade has its own motor and the chance of both failing together seems remote.

 

So possibly there is a fault with the switching block (comms 2000 unit) under the steering wheel, or maybe a bad electrical connection or earth point. If you have auto wipers you could also clean the windscreen in front of the sensor at the top middle. You could consider doing a battery disconnection/reconnection since this sometimes clears odd electrical faults. Also look in the handbook in case a fuse is listed that could have blown.

 

If it does need the switching block replacing it is removed by removing the steering column plastic covers (2 bolts underneath and the headlight height switch electrical connector), unplugging its electrical connectors and then removing 2 bolts. It should not need any diagnostics when a new one is installed. To get the right one you will need your VIN since there are a few different part numbers.

[Tucker9037]

Thanks Paul. I will try the battery first. What's the procedure to disconnect the battery?

[Tucker9037]

Ok quick update. Checked fuse. It says 30amp in manual but there is a 40amp fuse in place? I removed the fuse, tried the wipers with a 30amp and nothing. Then when I replaced the 40amp back in there was a small spark and voila they are working again. What could this be?

[paul.h]

Your guess is probably as good as any other. Maybe by disconnecting the power supply it has reset something. You could test the 30 amp fuse to see if it is any good.

 

This is included in the C3 Technical section Common Problems pinned post:

27. Comms 2000 unit reset method to fix wipers/washers not working.

This topic by vectratot includes a method to reset the comms 2000 unit after the wipers and washers stopped working http://www.citroen-o...ing/#entry82270

 

The following is from the Common Problems pinned posts in the C3, C4 and C5 Technical sections:

20. Odd electrical problems caused by wrong battery disconnection procedure.

If you need to disconnect the battery and not do a BSI reset procedure, I have found the following has not given me any problems on a 2004 and 2007 C5 and a 2003 C3:

- remove the ignition key from the car

- open the bonnet

- wait a few minutes for the BSI to shut down

- disconnect the battery negative terminal

 

When reconnecting

- ignition key out of the car

- reconnect the battery

- wait a few minutes

- insert the key in the ignition and wait a minute

- turn the key to the first position and wait a minute

- turn the key so the dash lights come on and wait a minute

- start the engine

- take the windows down and up to reset the anti pinch

- reset the clock (and radio on the C3).

[Tucker9037]

I'm puzzled. I went out again to try them and nothing again. It seems that the removal and reconnection of the fuse boosts the motors and they work fine?

[paul.h]

If you do need to replace the switch unit, as an example using part no. 6242RH (this must be checked using your VIN), from citroencarparts.net it is £99.98. The wiper motors though are £206 each. The left one is 6405LE and the right one 6405LA.

[Tucker9037]

Is it worth trying to remove the shunt fuse for 10min?

[paul.h]

There is a bsi reset procedure here which I believe you are thinking of doing by removing the shunt fuse:

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/15093-bsi-reset/

[Tucker9037]

Had car on computer today and it brought up fault that bsi cannot detect the master wiper motor?