Subzero conditions this week in my travels through northern Wisconsin and now back home to Chicago. Wipers are acting funny. When I get in the Disco first thing, everything cold, and try to clean off the windshield. Pull back on the stalk for "Wash", get washer fliud on the windshield but the wipers don't come on like they're supposed to. Try the rotary switch at the end of the stalk, and that doesn't work either. Get out and check the wipers and they are NOT frozen to the windshield. Get back in and hold the stalk down in 'mist' mode, and finally they work but that's the only way to get them moving. When the Disco warms up everything works like normal.

Sounds like there is a contact somewhere that is opening when the vehicle is cold, but where do I look?

Anyone else experienced this?

Thanks,

Bob

 

Sounds like your wiper motor is about to go south on you.

 

... and the odds of that happening when I DON'T need the wipers are ... zero. Right?
Could it be the relay?

 

Possibily.

 

I just had the same problem but my wipers would do this in any weather. I had the wiper switch/stalk replaced and it works just fine now. I would look at that first just to be sure. If that’s not it then no harm no foul. Good luck.

 

I've got the same thing with the wipers plus turn signals and headlights won't work as well. Push the hazard switch and it works but not the indicators. Only when it's cold. The dealer won't diagnose or fix anything because they "can not duplicate," it really never gets cold enough here but I travel a lot to PA so I need it fixed but as far as warranty covering it it looks like I'm screwed. I'd love to get to the bottom of this so I can fix it.

 

On my D1 my wiper switch assembly acts up. I'm going to get in there and spray some "contact" cleaner in it. It comes in a can like a small can of WD40 (Radio Shack). No reason to replace if it's just dirty contacts. I haven't done it because it's been below zero for a while now.

 

My issue is still just the wipers, and just in this really cold weather.
Another clue may be this - when the wipers only work in "mist" mode, they always stop wherever they are when I let go of the stalk. In other words they don't return to the base of the windshield. To me, that does not point to the stalk but rather something further down inthe system.

Although ... tee's issue does sound like it could be related to the stalk b/c the turns and the lights are on the same one and both are affected.

Still stumped on this one but we'll see what happens when the weather warms up this weekend. I thought getting away from Lucas electrics meant the "Prince of Darkness" would go away, but apparently not.

Cheers,

Bob

 

Drop by the PA dealer next time you are up there... At least have them contact your dealer and write up a ticket so they can replace it when you ge home..

 

Sadly, I'm nowhere near a dealer when I'm in PA. Plus, my issues stop after the cabin and engine get nice and warm so by the time I'd make it to a dealer I'd be right back to the "could not duplicate." I hadn't thought about the mist issue being related but regardless of the temp when I do the mist there's a hesitation and jerk. It has always done this so I just thought it was some random eccentricity. Oh yeah, and the pause and jerk occurs when ever I let up.