Jack the wiper (intermittent)

Yes I've searched and searched again, but it seems to me that the intermittent front wiper fault on a D1 is still a bit of an unsolved mystery.! like Jack the ripper, There are lots of well thought out (and well written) tried and tested theories. but no actual definitive answer, can it really be either, 1, relay? 2, wiper motor? 3.stalk? all capable of causing the issue? or has anyone actually nailed it down to a one single culprit yet?
Please, is there someone able to lift the fog and turn up the gaslight on this time worn tale.??

Only wiper issues I had with my D1 300tdi were traced to the wiper stalk/controls, or lack of maintenance, a blade splitting and not caring about it!

What's the issue you're having?

put simply, slow wipe and fast wipe are fine, intermittent wipe doesn't work.

OK then, that narrows it down to the stalk or the control unit (people call them relays but they're a lot more complicated then that). I've got a TD5 and the wipers kept playing up. The biggest difference to the reliability of my wipers was achieved by changing the control unit for a decent branded item.

I've also had a wiper stalk switch that didn't do intermittent unless you lifted the arm slightly from the very bottom of its travel. So the switches can be a bit dodgy in some cases too.

The multifunction unit controls the wiper delay speeds if you have a 300 series D1.

Thank you chaps, much appreciated indeed,

discool said:

The multifunction unit controls the wiper delay speeds if you have a 300 series D1.

Click to expand...

so if its not the stalk, its likely to need a replacement, multi function unit.

christi1 said:

so if its not the stalk, its likely to need a replacement, multi function unit.

Click to expand...

Maybe, may be not, but put the MFU into it diagnostic mode, although it tests the wipers it doesn't test the delay but if an MFU fails its usually fails on more than one circuit. If it passes all tests then it could be an iffy switch or wiring for the delay part of it.
Here’s how to test the MFU

*CIRCUIT OPERATION*
The multi–function unit (MFU) is mounted on the rear of the passenger compartment fuse box and has an input to operation of the following:
_ Heated rear screen
_ Courtesy lights
_ Side and headlights
_ Rear fog guard lamps
_ Headlamp power wash
_ Front wipers
_ Rear wash/wipe

*Diagnostic Procedure*
1. Close all doors and the tailgate.
NOTE: If the oil pressure switch goes open circuit (engine is started) during the following procedure, the MFU will exit the diagnostic mode immediately.
2. Press and hold the heated rear screen switch and switch on the ignition.
3. Release the heated rear screen switch within 2 seconds and the MFU will beep to indicate that it’s in diagnostic mode 1.
4. Press the heated rear screen switch; the MFU will beep twice. In turn, operate each of the following switches, rear fog guard lamps, side
lights, headlights, front wiper, and rear wiper. The MFU will beep twice each time a switch is operated.
5. Pressing the heated rear screen again will cause the MFU to enter diagnostic mode 2.
6. The MFU will provide outputs to the following in order given below:
_ Heated rear screen relay energised for 2 seconds
_ Courtesy lights energised for 2 seconds
_ Dim dip relay energised for 2 seconds
_ Rear fog guard lamp energised for 2 seconds
_ Headlamp power wash energised for half a
second
_ Front wiper energised for half a second
_ Rear wipe/wash energised for half a second
7. The MFU will then exit the diagnostic mode.

God.! I'd better go and buy a ford Anglia or summat simple!!
but seriously. Thank you for that.!