wipers - losing the intermittent bit.

[tim]

Some advice needed. The Red One has started losing the first, intermittent wipe function. You can hear the relay click but either it will go once, halfway across the screen, then stop, or more likely now, nothing will happen at all. If you hit the windscreen wash then the intermittent will sometimes start working after the wash cycle has finished, but it not guaranteed. The normal wipe bit is unaffected as I can testify having been down to Dorset and back last week, I had it on full chat from Wincanton to Sussex......
So what am I looking at here? The wiper stalk assembly or the relay that presumably provides the various functions? It must be a fairly complex little thing to do what it does. And as I say, you can hear it clicking. Ideas, guys? I have a spare stalk and relay from the scrappy so can change either, but would obviously like to narrow it down a bit....
Coming down up the M25 last night in a torrent I realised it was new wiper blade time again, on account of the greasy film being left behind each wipe. Shit, can't see squat. Last year I had this and assumed I had picked up some oil on the screen, but no, the blade had given up. I muttered at my supplier and he said "off the record, they're only supposed to last about three months". I got nine out of this one so not too bad.

[Dollywobbler]

Could be the stalk. On mine, I sometimes have to move to position two, then back to one to get the intermittent wipe to work.

The relay isn't needed in position two, so I wouldn't expect that to get affected in the same way. Changing the relay is incredibly simple though - switch is a little more involved.

I've had massive trouble in the past with wiper blades smearing. Cured it on the Mk2 by getting the windscreen replaced. It's an extreme measure though! Tried different brands of blade, a different arm and many types of cleaning product and/or Rain-X stuff over a period of some months but it always smeared.

[themildbunch]

I've had massive trouble in the past with wiper blades smearing. Cured it on the Mk2 by getting the windscreen replaced. It's an extreme measure though! Tried different brands of blade, a different arm and many types of cleaning product and/or Rain-X stuff over a period of some months but it always smeared.

Yes, I seem to remember one of my old MKII BX's had this problem. I guess the screen wears slightly and the blade can never get a good seal to wipe it... Think it was an F reg Gti or G 1.6...

[frog]

I would also check the condition of the wires in the scuttle

[Mothman]

Hi Tim,

got loads of blades, bars and stalks here as you know, pop in and have a rummage. also, your torch arrived whilst i was away.

Andy

[electrokid]

I realised it was new wiper blade time again,...
they're only supposed to last about three months".

Get a Valeo blade from Halfords - they seem to do a much better job than anything else I've tried on the BX. From memory I'm using a 20" or 21" blade. 3 months is ridiculous - should be more like 3 years !

[MULLEY]

I use Tesco blades when they are on offer, usually get a year out of them which is fine when i get em for £2 each

[Mickey taker]

the valeo blade is great, although the new one do's have rather a chunky head,

has anyone with a pram handle spoiler tried the new valeo one on the back and do's it foul the spoiler ?