This is really bizarre

[Alan-G]

Strange thing electrical with me evo8.

Two things happen at the same time and wont go away.

The SRS (airbag warning) light comes on and the wipers come on and wont go off.

Any clues ?

All other electricals seem fine ...

I've tried all internal electrical controls and it makes no difference. Have disconnected the battery for now and will re-connect tomorrow morning but I fear it wont help.

The wipers operate at normal speed and high speed but will not go off. Wiper fluid pump is fine.

 

[Nick]

Anything trigger it?

 

[Alan-G]

Turning the wipers on to clear the screen. Then they were intermittent then on all the time. Just reconnected the battery and the wipers were off. srs was on, turned wipers on and they stayed on.

 

[Nick]

I dunno.
Im going to pretend im a normal auto sparky and blame the ECU.

Slim chance there could be a short I guess...

 

[Alan-G]

Just as well is was pi$$ing with rain tonight getting the wee one from nursery as I would have looked a right prat if it was dry with wipers on !

ECU - most probably I think Nick. Electrical shorts seem to be a thing of the past these days.

So, booked in to the nearest service center tomorrow and pull the fuse if it's an okay day to save face...

The real pi$$er with this stupid problem is the opposite from what one would expect. Normally things - if they fail - don't work. It's now exponentially worse when their is a problem you cant stop when driving, and interfering wiper blades on a dry screen - I can only think would be a super pain in the ar$e. Imagine if your horn sounded relentlesly on a journey and you cant stop it !

 

[Nick]

Yer good move getting it booked in.

Imagine if your horn sounded relentlesly on a journey and you cant stop it !

Been there(ish)! I drove a stage on a rally with the horn (which is a twin air horn and very loud) on after it earthed itself after a 'moment'.

 

[Alan-G]

Ok - Result ! (ish)

Spoke to a mate who reckoned dampness is the problem, so - covered up the bonnet air intake with a towel and had the car running for about half an hour to let the engine bay warm up.

It worked for the wipers but the airbag light is still on.

Mate said the switches these days are not entirely mechanical but more electrical with micro volts, and the slightest bit of dampness can cause a hiccup.

Still need to book her in though - thorough check and make sure the airbags are definately operational - although, being an older codger and driving without airbags before they were mandatory (and surviving a heavy crash with a Hackney cab) I can let this one go for now until the new year.

Ps. Happy Christmas folks

 

[Alan-G]

Problems back

In the dashboard fuse box bay, I noticed 4 relays up the left hand side. (wee square elecrical boxes).

Can anyone tell me if one of these relays is for the window wipers ? and a possible quick replacement ?

The wipers have a 20 amp fuse and it would take a relay (I think) to operate them safely.

Main problem is that the wipers started themselves yesterday and I have devised a cut off switch to stop them if it happens again - but this is not a cure but merely a preventative measure to kill the wipers as they seem more 'Live' than dead if you know what I mean.

Any hints and tips on this peeps ?