2003 C5 Wipers

[Sumofishin]

Hi and thank you for allowing me to be a new Member.    I have just purchased a 2003 HDI with a wiper problem, the main fuse was blown, I replaced the fuse and the wipers cycled once and blew the fuse, I have replaced the fuse with a circuit breaker it appears that the motor was jammed, so i forced it a bit and it did another cycle and stopped in the off position again blowing the circuit breaker, I have removed the wiper motor assy and seperated it from the motor, the motor tests good and i can power it to run constantly, I have checked the arm assembly and it operates freely, when I assemble it again it has the same problem, can

someone help me out .  PS  I am an Auto Electrician and I do not have a workshop Manual Thank You

 

  By the way I am in Manilla NSW Australia

Edited February 26, 2017 by Sumofishin

[paul.h]

Welcome to the forum.

 

There is a Haynes manual for the C5 that is worth getting https://www.amazon.co.uk/Citroen-C5-Service-repair-manuals/dp/1844257452/ref=pd_sim_14_2/253-9839662-8938622?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=N1ECP56P8YF30T5VV9Q0

 

When you ran the motor off the car did you try it with a fuse of the same rating as on the car, just to see if it was taking too much current ? With the motor off did you check the wipers move freely and are not seized anywhere (I think this is what you have said) ?

[Sumofishin]

Thanks for the reply

The answer is yes I have tested the motor and arm assy all runs freely, 

The Haynes manual sounds good but I would have to get one from England

[paul.h]

Other thoughts are maybe the wrong rating fuse is installed, according to the Haynes manual it should be fuse 17 in the engine fuse box 30 amp but I would check this with your handbook if you have it. Also maybe there is a problem with the motor so it is earthing the feed wire rather than going through the motor. You could see how many amps it is drawing by putting an ammeter in line with the supply, but it would obviously need to take at least 30 amps.

 

It might be the motor needs cleaning internally or replacing. There is a similar topic on here where the suspension pump would not run but once cleaned it was ok. The 2008 on C5 can suffer with wiper motor problems. The following are copied from the C5 common problems topic:

43. New C5 (X7) front wipers not working properly.

Before replacing one of the 2 wiper motors, it may be possible to do a fix to the motor wiring pins - see this topic from c5vtr http://www.citroen-o...x7-wiper-motor/

 

54. Suspension pump not running.

Before replacing the pump, check the relay first. See this topic by danshrekman76 http://www.citroen-o...re-relay-fault/

 

On the C5 (X7) 2008 on model, check the pump fuse in the battery fuse box http://www.citroen-o...ery-fuses-list/

 

In this topic by 3001pv, the pump fuse kept blowing. The pump motor end plate was removed and a black mess of grease and carbon brush dust was cleaned out and the pump now works normally http://www.citroen-o...ult-code-p1351/

[Richiejh]

If your motor is like my C8 there is an auto park switch inside to sense when the wipers are parked. There are 2 contacts which touch a disc inside. It may be worth looking inside to see if anything has come apart. If it's the same there is a flat ish round bit where the spindle protrudes, the switch is in there. Easy to dismantle with the motor off.

[Sumofishin]

Thanks Guys all of the above has been checked and tested, I am beginning to think it may be the Rain sensor causing the problem, but without a workshop manual I am just grasping at straws

[Rookie2]

Have you tried to torrent the manual for the car ?

 

I know the usual torrent sites have closed but there is still a way to do it.

[paul.h]

I do not really think a manual will help, these will just say how to remove and refit the motor and you already know how to do that. I suspect you need a new motor or to clean out the existing one - you have already said it was seized so this must be a sign it is not right. The rain sensor also puts on the headlights as it gets dark, so if it had a problem the lights would also not work properly.

 

Having said this, you could check the wiring to the motor and see if any are shorting to earth.

[Sumofishin]

_{The motor was not seized  it was electrically locked in the rest position, as when I reassembled it ,it does the same thing I can force it to move and it comes to rest in the same position electrically locked until it blows the fuse, but it cannot be operated from the Stalk.}

[Sumofishin]

""Update Update ! "    I have Just unplugged the Rain Sensor and the wipers worked as normal from the Wiper switch, then I plugged the Sensor back in and everything seems to be working as normal, I fitted the wiper arms to check if I had the link correct and it seems to be all working just fine. PS if it happens again I will start at the sensor and give you an Update, Regards George.

Edited February 28, 2017 by Sumofishin

[paul.h]

Brilliant, I would never have guessed the rain sensor could cause this. When it gets dark again, you can see if the auto headlights work, or just cover the rain sensor to fool it into thinking it is dark.

[Sumofishin]

Thanks Paul ,  I have Just Ordered a new windscreen because this one has a crack Down near the wiper arms and I ordered one that does not take the Rain Sensor.

[Rookie2]

I do believe a soft reset would have achieved the same result.