Wipers
Wipers
Driving along today with light rain and intermittent wipers on. Suddenly they stopped working as did all the other settings. Pulled into a lay-by and checked the fuse card. No mention of wipers anywhere. Headlight cleaning, washers but nothing about wipers. Note that the engine is off but only to accessory. Rain stops so move on to petrol station and switch off, fill up and when started the wipers work?? Why has this happened. Things don’t normally fix themselves. Any ideas.
B3 1999 (090)
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
Re: Wipers
Perhaps an ailing battery?
Charles
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Teacher of Chemistry and driver of ALPINAs - not necessarily in that order
B3S Touring (49/116) - been to the moon and now on the way back!
Renault Grand Espace - not mine but the wife's!
Re: Wipers
Don’t think so as it’s not old and the screen shows voltage. It will generally be between 13.6/13.8v although if checked with a multi meter at the under bonnet jump start points it will show 14.1v. The other suggestion I’ve had is the stalk. We’ll see no doubt.
B3 1999 (090)
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
Re: Wipers
May be the wiper relay?
JohnW
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
Re: Wipers
Showing my lack of knowledge, where’s that located
B3 1999 (090)
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
Re: Wipers
Engine bay, take off the ECU/relay cover lid, it’s the brown relay at the top.
JohnW
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
Re: Wipers
It’s worth a shout to swap it with those symptoms as many just stop working intermittently, probably worn contacts and carbon build up over the years of operation.
JohnW
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
Re: Wipers
Just looked up the relay, I mean what around £80. Will check with the dealer tomorrow. Might need to get a cloth on a stick. Loads of used ones for under £20. Will take it apart and see if contacts are corroded and try a bit of emery.
B3 1999 (090)
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
Re: Wipers
That’s a cheaper option, just the same as cleaning the old points before electronics replaced them, You could try and get some Servisol switch cleaning spray in there with the nozzle straw.
I hadn’t realised the cost from new had escalated so much.
I hadn’t realised the cost from new had escalated so much.
JohnW
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
Re: Wipers
I opened up the relay and there was some evidence that it could be/look better so I’ve cleaned it up and put it back in. Haven’t had a problem since. Fingers crossed.
B3 1999 (090)
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32
Re: Wipers
Hope that was the cause, it’s a suck it and see thing, the relay has the most mechanical wear and tear apart from the wiper motor itself.
The full circuit is here if needed:
https://www.bmwgm5.com/E46_Wiper_Relay.htm
The full circuit is here if needed:
https://www.bmwgm5.com/E46_Wiper_Relay.htm
JohnW
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon
2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #161
Previous: 2011 D3 BiTurbo Saloon #373, 2014 F30 320iX M Saloon, 2009 M3 DCT Coupe, 2008 B3 BiTurbo Coupe #074, 2009 E82 123d Coupe, 2006 E92 325i Coupe, 2002 E46 325iSE Coupe, 1998 E36 318iSE Saloon