Wipers not parking

[JST]

Having various issues with my wipers doing as they please!
1. When on speed 1 or 2, they operate as expected for about 20 seconds until they just stop wherever they please

2. The only way to park them is a perfectly executed movement of the stalk to ‘off’. Turning them off otherwise just causes them to stop where they are.

3. When using wash/wipe, they run on for at least 10 or 15 wipe cycles!

Has anybody experienced similar?

Thanks in advance!

 

[JST]

Upon further investigation, I have some more accurate symptoms.

Wipers time out after exactly 20 seconds in all positions apart from speed 2. Wash/wipe also instigates exactly 20 seconds of running (I can’t stop this at all, I just have to wait 20 seconds).

Speed 2 runs indefinitely with no problems for 30 minutes plus. Still doesn’t park when turned off.

Auto mode doesn’t appear to be rain sensitive or adjustable, it just runs at speed 1.

Thinking that this is some thermal overload feature, I also ran them with the wipers flipped up off the windscreen to reduce load - no difference.

Hopefully this narrows it down enough for someone to have an idea?

 

[Sandroad]

Year? Miles? Original windshield? Any other odd electrical issues? Any water leaks?

 

[LTSR]

You can try removing the stalk and cleaning the contacts. Not a cruiser, but I had this problem with my 3rd gen 4runner, buying a new OEM wiper stalk fixed the problem for me.

 

[JST]

Year? Miles? Original windshield? Any other odd electrical issues? Any water leaks?

2011 with 120,000 miles and non-original windscreen due to crack. However, wiper fault was present with original screen when I bought the car.

Currently the only issue with the car is a completely non-functioning AHC system (working prior to parking the car up for a long period) although have previously had other electrical issues as a result of water ingress (water and electrical issues since fixed).

 

[JST]

You can try removing the stalk and cleaning the contacts. Not a cruiser, but I had this problem with my 3rd gen 4runner, buying a new OEM wiper stalk fixed the problem for me.

You had the same symptoms as me?

 

[LTSR]

You had the same symptoms as me?

It was a long time ago but I recall symptoms 1 and 2. I do remember cleaning the contacts and the wipers were able to return to home for a day or two and the problem came back. I could be completely off base with the stalk being the problem, i'm trying to be helpful as you're not getting any responses.

the vehicle throwing any codes?

 

[JST]

It was a long time ago but I recall symptoms 1 and 2. I do remember cleaning the contacts and the wipers were able to return to home for a day or two and the problem came back. I could be completely off base with the stalk being the problem, i'm trying to be helpful as you're not getting any responses.

the vehicle throwing any codes?

Well I think that’s worth me spending a little time looking at the stalk, based on your experience. There is a reasonable chance it’s one of the 3 major components (stalk, ECU, motor) at fault and I have no better ideas myself.

No fault codes present!

Thanks for your help!

 

[LTSR]

Well I think that’s worth me spending a little time looking at the stalk, based on your experience. There is a reasonable chance it’s one of the 3 major components (stalk, ECU, motor) at fault and I have no better ideas myself.

No fault codes present!

Thanks for your help!

the stalk is probably the cheapest item on the 3 components you listed, I would start there. Good luck and if you ever find the solution, follow up with us here so we have a data point for others who may have the same issue.

 

[JST]

Stalk disassembled and cleaned but no change in symptoms. Very easy disassembly job for anyone having wiper problems to check in the first instance.

1. Remove 2x Phillips screws on the column cowl behind steering wheel (turn wheel to each side for access), followed by single screw on the lower half of the cowl.

2. Pull upper half of cowl upwards using trim tools, it will release quite easily.

3. To aid access, remove top cowl by releasing it from the fabric part in front - squeeze the 4x pips with needle nose pliers.

4. Unplug 2x connectors from underside of wiper stalk.

5. Release wiper stalk from steering column by prying single retaining clip which is on the steering wheel side of the stalk. I used a knife but a small flat screwdriver may work. Stalk will then slide out sideways, away from the column.

6. Switch disassembly is straight forward, with a single small Phillips and a lot of clips.

7. Reassembly is reverse of removal but I found it easier to re-connect the electrical plugs before installing the stalk.



I’d perhaps be unwise to rule out the stalk but I’m going to have a look elsewhere. The 20 second symptom suggests thermal overload but the fact that the auto wipers don’t work suggests an ECU problem.

 

[Sandroad]

Given the vehicle history, I’ll guess the electrical problems (wipers and AHC) are related to previous water intrusion. I would clean door sill electrical connectors again and track down other connectors that may have corroded.

 

[JST]

Edited due to myself being a tool!

 

[JST]

Given the vehicle history, I’ll guess the electrical problems (wipers and AHC) are related to previous water intrusion. I would clean door sill electrical connectors again and track down other connectors that may have corroded.

Batteries disconnected and reconnected - AHC working all of a sudden (I previously had no sign of AHC on the dash)! I’m not saying it’s impossible that there are still water issues but wipers are now the only remaining problem and I was thorough in the electrical work - car off the road for months.