Wipers won't turn off.

**Xray_junkie** · Sunday 22nd November 2009, 22:58

Hi guys, slight problem that hopefully you'll have the answer to. After washing my windsreen neither the washers, windscreen or h/light wipers will turn off . Guessing its either the wiper stalk or a relay. Any pointers would be appreciated please. Ta

**Tomcat** · Sunday 22nd November 2009, 23:08

Why not try disconnecting the switch?, that'll rule that out.

**Pliskin** · Sunday 22nd November 2009, 23:13

I'll have a bit of this one as well.

When I use the windscreen washwipe function on the main stalk the f.o.s. headlamp wiper starts to wipe the headlight and then sticks, however from the noise it is making it is obvious that the motor still wants to move the arm further on.

What I have to do, to stop the infernal electric motor whining is to stop the car, get out and physically move the wiper arm on.

After a few "wipes" it stops and all is well in the world, until of course I wash/wipe my main screen and then it happens all over again.

Any suggestions gratefuly appreciated.

**Tomcat** · Sunday 22nd November 2009, 23:17

The headlight wiper motors do get cacked up, to be honest although (as far as I know) mine both work I've disconnected the headlight wipers, unless you want to replace them you're probably best doing the same.

**Xray_junkie** · Sunday 22nd November 2009, 23:19

Originally Posted by Tomcat

Why not try disconnecting the switch?, that'll rule that out.

Cheers Tomcat, was going to do that earlier but i didn't have a torx driver at home for the column cowls. Will do it at work tomorrow.

**p fandango** · Sunday 22nd November 2009, 23:22

Originally Posted by Pliskin

When I use the windscreen washwipe function on the main stalk the f.o.s. headlamp wiper starts to wipe the headlight and then sticks, however from the noise it is making it is obvious that the motor still wants to move the arm further on.

What I have to do, to stop the infernal electric motor whining is to stop the car, get out and physically move the wiper arm on.

After a few "wipes" it stops and all is well in the world, until of course I wash/wipe my main screen and then it happens all over again.

Any suggestions gratefuly appreciated.

the casing for the headlight wiper mechanism is only snapped together, they tend to split open over time & the internal gearing moves out of place

**Xray_junkie** · Tuesday 24th November 2009, 00:03

I attempted to take the column cowls off today but failed. I took out the two torx screws from the lower cowl but am unable to separate the two halves. Am i over looking some screws or do i need to put more effort into forcing them apart?

**Pliskin** · Tuesday 24th November 2009, 11:19

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll give it s whirl.

**Steve C** · Tuesday 24th November 2009, 19:34

Hi,
This is apparently a common problem on the 850's (and presumably the early V70 models) as it happened to me. The cause is a sticking headlight wiper motor. Try disconnecting the motor by the connector below the headlamp wiring and this should stop the problem. A replacement motor will solve the problem permanently. I called Volvo when mine wouldn't stop spraying and washing the windows and couldn't believe the answer but it worked. Hope this helps

Regards

Steve C

**p fandango** · Tuesday 24th November 2009, 19:38

Originally Posted by Xray_junkie

I attempted to take the column cowls off today but failed. I took out the two torx screws from the lower cowl but am unable to separate the two halves. Am i over looking some screws or do i need to put more effort into forcing them apart?

you should have more screws than that, i think there are atleast 2 more nearer the middle of the cowling

**Jod T5** · Saturday 28th November 2009, 17:30

Originally Posted by Steve C

Hi,
This is apparently a common problem on the 850's (and presumably the early V70 models) as it happened to me. The cause is a sticking headlight wiper motor. Try disconnecting the motor by the connector below the headlamp wiring and this should stop the problem. A replacement motor will solve the problem permanently. I called Volvo when mine wouldn't stop spraying and washing the windows and couldn't believe the answer but it worked. Hope this helps

Regards

Steve C

Quite correct...
The headlamp motor shorts, sending a current up the system, activating the windscreen wipers..
Strange but true....

Jod

**Xray_junkie** · Monday 8th February 2010, 23:35

Originally Posted by Steve C

Hi,
This is apparently a common problem on the 850's (and presumably the early V70 models) as it happened to me. The cause is a sticking headlight wiper motor. Try disconnecting the motor by the connector below the headlamp wiring and this should stop the problem. A replacement motor will solve the problem permanently. I called Volvo when mine wouldn't stop spraying and washing the windows and couldn't believe the answer but it worked. Hope this helps

Regards

Steve C

Thanks Steve. I disconnected the n/s headlight wiper and problem solved.