Crazy Electrics

[The hairy angler]

Just returned after a 400 ml round trip to Liandudno. Mechanically car did not miss a beat BUT five miles from home in a torrential downpour windscreen wipers STOPPED working. :thumbsdown: A very interesting couple of minutes followed until the rain eased and I was able to limp home!
6 months ago when I bought the car I had central locking issues - and the wipers stopped working twice- along with erratic parking of the blades. I had the relays in the circuit board behind the glove box swopped out and the contact plate of the windscreen wiper motor degreased (very little grease present) and the problems seemed to be sorted.
Over the last few days the headlights have refused to switch on (both dipped and main beam) and have then worked normally next time they were used. Before the wipers stopped the parking of the blades on intermittent wipe became erratic, and some times the intermittent wipe wiped the screen once and then would wipe for 3 or 4 sweeps without pausing.

Does anyone have any ideas if the headlight and wiper issues are connected, or what the problems could be? I will not be working on the car until we get a spell of fine weather, and I do not really want to pay garage prices until I have a clearer idea of the problem. :rtfm:
Regards, John Duggan aka. The hairy angler.

 

[The hairy angler]

Just returned after a 400 ml round trip to Liandudno. Mechanically car did not miss a beat BUT five miles from home in a torrential downpour windscreen wipers STOPPED working. :thumbsdown: A very interesting couple of minutes followed until the rain eased and I was able to limp home!
6 months ago when I bought the car I had central locking issues - and the wipers stopped working twice- along with erratic parking of the blades. I had the relays in the circuit board behind the glove box swopped out and the contact plate of the windscreen wiper motor degreased (very little grease present) and the problems seemed to be sorted.
Over the last few days the headlights have refused to switch on (both dipped and main beam) and have then worked normally next time they were used. Before the wipers stopped the parking of the blades on intermittent wipe became erratic, and some times the intermittent wipe wiped the screen once and then would wipe for 3 or 4 sweeps without pausing.

Does anyone have any ideas if the headlight and wiper issues are connected, or what the problems could be? I will not be working on the car until we get a spell of fine weather, and I do not really want to pay garage prices until I have a clearer idea of the problem. :rtfm:
Regards, John Duggan aka. The hairy angler.

Forgot to mention that after stopping the car, switching the windscreen wipers a few times, when I restarted the car and switched on the wipers they worked properly!!

 

[omar]

Could just be a battery on the way out, but if not perhaps a water leak... The electrics are all multiplexed through the ecu and it sounds like you might have a leak given the heavy rain etc. My airbag control unit somehow got wet, and shorted out all of the communications so lights wipers radio windows mirrors etc all stopped working but car started and drove fine. Took forever to get diagnosed because even fault codes couldn't be read.

Not even sure how my airbag unit got wet but maybe someone else knows the usual leak points?

 

[bcworkz]

Hi guys,
John, the two are not electrically related, but can be affected by water in different ways. For the wipers, be sure the cowl ( where the wiper motor sits) drains are clear or the motor can be sitting in a pool of water. The motor is water resistant, but not intended to be submersible. Or you could be having trouble with relays just because they are problematic, not related to moisture, just coincidental.

If you have xenon headlights, water getting the high tension portions wet can cause problems. Water becomes a conductor at such high voltages. Once everything is completely dried out they should work again. Be sure the cover on the rear of the headlight (the one held by a wire bail) is properly fitted or water will enter where it will cause problems. If electrics have been wet so long that parts corrode, simple drying will not suffice, replacement will be in order.

Omar, the main air bag module is under the centre console, so can only get wet if it rained while the top was down or something spilled. The satellite modules are just above the floor near the what would have been the B-pillar, so any moisture on the floor (often due to faulty door membrane) can cause issues with these.

 

[Kingash]

I had the same problem with my wipers a while back, i sorted mine by taking the motor apart and cleaning the inside up, they have worked fine ever since


http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1115530-Fix-walkthrough-for-faulty-wipers

Hope its ok to post links to other forums as i cant find that on here

 

[The hairy angler]

Thanks to all who replied. I have standard Halogen lights. Some moisture in nearside light so I am ordering a pair of rear covers and will upgrade bulbs at the same time. Hope that cures the headlight issue. Will check the earthing at the same time.
The wipers are proving much more problematic. Have taken them apart and cleaned contacts - but no grease apparent. They still park where they feel like on intermittent wipe, sometimes doing three or four cycles before stoping. The relays within the central locking circuit board have been changed - what bloody muppet thought it a good idea to solder relays in place *@@!! The motor does not seem to be sitting in water. Are there any other relays controlling the wiper motor? No fault codes shown. Independent garage seems to think relays or new motor.
The problem has not re-surfaced but I feel I am living on borrowed time! (In Wales it always seems to be the rainy season.)
regards The hairy angler.

 

[Montjeu]

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/engine-and-exterior/glass-cleaners-sealants/gtechniq-perfect-glass-care-kit/prod_1322.html

I applied this kit and it has to be seen to be believed. In rain simply the airflow disperses the rainwater. It can last for years apparently. Example of effect:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrRlzQCFCu0

Great piece of mind if wipers fail but they're not really required after applying!