Headlamp wiper confusion

canis · Oct 12th, 2018, 23:29

I need some more advice please.

The T4 has headlamp wipers, but I can't get them to work. Either there's a fault (not unlikely) or I'm just not doing something correctly (also likely).

Under exactly what cirsumstance do they operate?

They are connected by a three-pin connector, two pins of which shows 12v and the other negative. Without knowing what switches to pull/press/throw I don't know what this means though.

Please will someone explain how they work?

Simmy · Oct 13th, 2018, 10:51

they usually work when you pull screen wash on the stalk with the headlights on . check they have not been left disconnected when bumper removed/ replaced also check they are not trapped behind the stops

baldmosher · Oct 14th, 2018, 15:59

These are notoriously flaky. Interior cog gets sticky and snaps. They can be refurbished but it's fiddly. Second hand ones rarely work, and when they do, not for long.

Just treat them as an ornament IMHO

Thankfully the one of mine I swapped that got stuck upright (fouling the bonnet) has now righted itself and never worked again.

You can get them from the main dealer for about £80 a side if you're desperate. I've got two spares if you want to try a refurb job?

Edit: and that's before you check whether the fluid pump is still working....

canis · Oct 14th, 2018, 18:14

Haha, I do have two spares so I'll have a fiddle with them. Otherwise, maybe ornamental it might well have to be. As for the washer jets - one of them works.

clarkey1984 · Oct 14th, 2018, 18:31

My p1 had them, the t4 does and the 2l se does as well, none of them work, I was a little concerned come MOT time as the t4 has HID headlights as standard so by the letter of the law wash wipe functions should be there and working, nothing was said though.

Lou Ferrigno · Oct 14th, 2018, 20:32

On our V40 I removed the wipers when they wouldn't park properly.
I filled the plastic plate that clips onto the bumper and sprayed them to suit.

magnuz · Oct 14th, 2018, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou Ferrigno

On our V40 I removed the wipers when they wouldn't park properly.
I filled the plastic plate that clips onto the bumper and sprayed them to suit.

I also removed my wiper motors when they packed up, & filled the plastic bits, but i also fitted some washer nozzles in to them, so i can still squirt the headlamps. These headlamp washers have also now been tapped in to the rear wash wipe, this way, the front screen washer has more power, & the bottle doesn't empty as quickly !

canis · Oct 15th, 2018, 00:06

Hmm. If they're as bad as you all agree they are, I think I'd prefer them removed. They give the front a rather cluttered appearance in my opinion. I don't actually care for them particularly - no car ever had them before - I just wanted them to work if fitted. But if they're this much hassle, I can live without.

sarumboy · Oct 17th, 2018, 09:38

I removed mine years ago, motors, wiring, washer tubes, the lot. They never worked properly and as it’s been said, they made the front look cluttered. You can get the plastic cups that sit in the bumper as spares, then fill and spray.
sarumboy.
.

Oct 12th, 2018, 23:29	#1
canis Non Fragile Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chadderton, Oldham	Headlamp wiper confusion I need some more advice please. The T4 has headlamp wipers, but I can't get them to work. Either there's a fault (not unlikely) or I'm just not doing something correctly (also likely). Under exactly what cirsumstance do they operate? They are connected by a three-pin connector, two pins of which shows 12v and the other negative. Without knowing what switches to pull/press/throw I don't know what this means though. Please will someone explain how they work?

Oct 14th, 2018, 15:59	#3
baldmosher moshmobile driver Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2023 16:07 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Warrington View Photos By: baldmosher	These are notoriously flaky. Interior cog gets sticky and snaps. They can be refurbished but it's fiddly. Second hand ones rarely work, and when they do, not for long. Just treat them as an ornament IMHO Thankfully the one of mine I swapped that got stuck upright (fouling the bonnet) has now righted itself and never worked again. You can get them from the main dealer for about £80 a side if you're desperate. I've got two spares if you want to try a refurb job? Edit: and that's before you check whether the fluid pump is still working.... __________________ baldmosher™ Drives: 63 V60 R-Design Lux Nav P* 106K Kill List: 07 S40 SE Sport D5 120K V40 SLux 1.9D 306K V40 S 1.9D 152K VW T4 LDV Pilot Golf GL 1.9TD Saxo 1.1i Fiesta 1.0 Pop Last edited by baldmosher; Oct 14th, 2018 at 16:03.

Oct 14th, 2018, 18:31	#5
clarkey1984 Premier Member Last Online: Apr 13th, 2022 09:41 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Beccles	My p1 had them, the t4 does and the 2l se does as well, none of them work, I was a little concerned come MOT time as the t4 has HID headlights as standard so by the letter of the law wash wipe functions should be there and working, nothing was said though. __________________ 02 V40 T4 S, "Sargent silver" she's back!

Oct 13th, 2018, 10:51	#2
Simmy Premier Member Last Online: Today 09:41 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Manchester	they usually work when you pull screen wash on the stalk with the headlights on . check they have not been left disconnected when bumper removed/ replaced also check they are not trapped behind the stops

Oct 14th, 2018, 18:14	#4
canis Non Fragile Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chadderton, Oldham	Haha, I do have two spares so I'll have a fiddle with them. Otherwise, maybe ornamental it might well have to be. As for the washer jets - one of them works.

Oct 15th, 2018, 00:06	#8
canis Non Fragile Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chadderton, Oldham	Hmm. If they're as bad as you all agree they are, I think I'd prefer them removed. They give the front a rather cluttered appearance in my opinion. I don't actually care for them particularly - no car ever had them before - I just wanted them to work if fitted. But if they're this much hassle, I can live without.

Oct 17th, 2018, 09:38	#9
sarumboy Member Last Online: May 18th, 2019 21:39 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cookham	I removed mine years ago, motors, wiring, washer tubes, the lot. They never worked properly and as it’s been said, they made the front look cluttered. You can get the plastic cups that sit in the bumper as spares, then fill and spray. sarumboy. .

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