Wipers work but only by pulling the indicator stalk back with headlights on only

[RichmondSyncro]

Hello all,

I'm trying to find the cause of my current challenge as per the title "Wipers work but only by pulling the indicator stalk back with headlights on only"

Under the dash the wiring is questionable.

Earth crowns are good

Pins for the relays and inside are immaculate

I have looked at the Wiki and searched but I can't fathom it out.

Before the washers wouldn't work, so they are on a separate switch. They now work (by pulling the indicator stalk back) but the switch does not. This also energises a GPS Speedo. Before the GPS Speedo would come on with ignition on. Now only by pulling the indicator stalk back.

Took the steering wheel off and everything looks good including contact ring

My blower is dead but always has been and the wipers worked before

1990 Caravelle Syncro

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[Robsey]

Everything you describe runs on the X/ relief relay controlled live.

First thing to check is the relay.
It will be numbered 24, 18, or 100.

Very early fusebox - relay 24



Ce1 Fusebox - relay 18



Ce1 Fusebox - relay 100.



What you are doing by pulling on the high-beam flasher stalk is triggering a quirk in the wiring by bypassing the relay.

Eventually (or sooner) you will burn out the high-beam flasher switch contacts, and lose all electrics on the X relief relay feed.

Here is a pinout of the CE1 fusebox.

viewtopic.php?t=173773

Finally - you cannot use the stalk, otherwise you will blind oncoming traffic any time you want to use the rear window demister, front or rear wipers and head-lamps.

[RichmondSyncro]

Thanks for the response Robsey,

I took the relay out, it looks fine. The inside also looks good.

Could it be dead without it being obvious? It's a genuine Hella but probably original at a guess

[Robsey]

As you have the top off,

Can you refit the base to the socket,

Then turn on the ignition.
It should click on

Then turn to crank.
It should click off.

Release back to ignition on.
It should ckick back on

Turn off ignition.
It should click off.

The purpose of the relay is to cut power during cranking.

I suppose nothing lasts forever, so potentially it could now have failed.
Unlike the early torpedo fusebox, you cannot see what is going on behind the relay, within the casing.

[RichmondSyncro]

Hi Robsey,

So maybe another quirk with my van is that it has a push button start between the 2 diff's! You turn the ignition on all the way push the button and presto fires into life on the button everytime.

I got someone to listen closely to the relay and it clicks on then on cranking (pushing the button) it turns off.

I think it has passed the test, goodness knows what direction to go in now. Really appreciate the help so far

[Robsey]

Did it click back on again when the start button was released?

[RichmondSyncro]

It appeared to,

I'm going to get a known working one just to double check and report back.

I gather I'm into a world of pain if it is working?

[Robsey]

If it is working,
I would look at all the fuses for the affected items.

I assume you have all the relevant wiring diagrams for your model year.

There are plenty out there...
But don't take much notice of Haynes wiring diagrams.
They don't call it the book of lies for no reason.

[RichmondSyncro]

Hi Robsey,

One relay changed, still no wipers.

All fuses look ok, not sure what to do now

[Robsey]

That is very confusing, because everything appears to be okay.

Ignition switch - because relay clicks on and off when it should.

Fuses said to be okay.

Relay said to be okay.

Earth tags all said to be okay.

Are all the ground wires to the wipers clean and secure?

[RichmondSyncro]

Nothing is easy with this van I must say!

By the ground wires do you mean the earth crowns?

The earth crowns look ok, if a tiny bit dusty.

Is there something else I should be checking?

[Oldiebut goodie]

Looking OK is not checking ( looks like corrosion present to me ), remove terminals and clean up crowns. Maybe even remove crowns and clean contact point.

[Robsey]

I have to agree -
They need to be clean, shiny, dry and securely attached.

Those have never been dusturbed, so lord knows what lurks within.
That could easily be the cause of your problems.

[RichmondSyncro]

Consensus is they are hanging the earth terminals on inspection. I'll replace all and report back

[RichmondSyncro]

An update,

The crowns where very well secure.

No corrosion/rust in sight. Everything just looked a bit old.

Polished the crowns shiny, now doing all spade connectors but ran out of light. Hopefully the weekend will be another turn of the key to see if the problem is solved....