Help - W202 single wiper extends too far

[deepdhaliwal]

Hi all,

Okay so after doing much reading around the topic and realizing the problems I’ve been experiencing are quite common to my car, I still can’t seem to find a definitive answer to my latest and biggest problem. Basically, I’ve experienced the below issues but have simply lived with points 1 & 2 because the car is driven so rarely. Unfortunately, point 3 means I can no longer drive it at all, unless I’m sure its not going to rain (which means never, considering we're now heading into winter in the UK!) the issues I experienced have been:

1. The wiper seemed to have a mind of it own (ie: it turned on when using the indicator) this only happens infrequently and is something I’m prepared to live with. Reading about this suggests the wiper relay will need replacing.

2. I have also experienced the classic hesitating wiper scenario. Again this only happened some of the time but was beginning to get worse before problem 3 set in.

3. The wiper now seems to have extended too far meaning it catches the trim of the windscreen on the passenger side (so badly in fact that it stays there and will not return the sweep motion). My research suggests a cog within the mechanism may have come loose or even been sheared off to cause this, but I’ve also come across posts that suggest I simply need to reset the park position of the motor/wiper.

Apologies for the length of this but the questions I need answered therefore are:
1. Is the relay solely responsible for problem 1?
2. Where can source a relay cheaply?
3. How easy is the relay to replace?
4. Will lubricating under the turtle shell cover solve the hesitating wiper scenario?
5. How can I diagnose if the cog mechanism has been sheared off? Will the entire linkage/motor need to be removed?
6. A mechanic has advised I will need a new wiper motor to solve problem 3. Will I also need a new linkage?
7. Is the cog mechanism located in the linkage or the motor?

I have managed to remove the shell cover and have a brief look at the wiper gear but restrained from going any further until I sought some advice. I may well choose to scrap the car before the end of the year and before the government scrapage scheme ends here in the UK so am looking for the quickest (cheapest) solution. I've never tried to replace/repair anything like this before but am willing to give it a go (perhaps with suitable 'how-to' instructions) in an effort to keep costs down. Lastly, to clarify the car is a right hand drive W202 C-Class 180 Elegance.

Thanks in advance for any help/light you may be able to shed.

[OzC36]

For problem 1...sweeping when not commanded to do so...

...you need a new combination stalk on the steering wheel...

Common problem

[deepdhaliwal]

Thanks for the response. As stated, I’m willing to live with the first two problems as I might end up scrapping the car so really don’t want to be putting anymore money into it. It’s the last problem that is proving the most important at the moment - so does anyone have any solutions?

I’m looking to remove and strip down the linkage and motor this weekend, so may have more to report in a few days......