V70: General Wiper Issue

[Jinxie]

Hi all,

I had to move this V70 (2008/P3/manual) I've been working on for over a year out of the garage today to make some space. This is the first time it's been out in the rain since I bought it if that's any relevance. I admit I was unfamiliar with the controls at first, it never having been roadworthy enough to drive. Anyway, The wipers started thrashing side to side wildly and I couldn't stop them. Sometimes I'd find a stalk position which would cause them to slow down for a while, or go intermittent, but then they'd start thrashing around again. No combination of switches and stalk position could get them to stop permanently. Even turning the engine off and taking the fob out didn't help! Finally I had to disconnect the battery to prevent them from damaging themselves.
I then read through the owner's manual and familiarised myself with the wiper controls, but it's clear with hindsight that it's nothing I've done. Upon re-starting the car, the wipers cannot be made to function in any mode and remain resolutely bolt upright on the screen where they stopped when I pulled the battery. The rear wiper is working fine, though, in all respects. Any ideas? I'm hoping it's not going to be expensive as this car has been no end of trouble and already cost me a fortune.

[Joe Harding]

Could this be the dreaded condensation in the ECM?

[Jinxie]

Originally Posted by Joe Harding

Could this be the dreaded condensation in the ECM?

There have been sensitive electronic devices in cars and motorcycles now for almost 40 years. The problem of such devices in cars (which did suffer issues WRT damp and vibration in the early days) has been long sorted out AFAIAA. If Volvo were still producing cars insufficiently insulated from such damage as recently as 2008, then they are clearly not the marque they once were and I for one will never buy another one. Let's hope it's nothing of that nature.

[Jinxie]

Well, this morning all was back to normal again, so I can only assume (correctly I hope) that it was just a case of the 'brain' needing to reset itself following a long period during which the battery was removed. Only time can tell for sure, though.

[green van man]

This is the worrying bit, not knowing.

Computor plays up, reboot and it behaves but why did it play up? No idea but it's OK now until it plays up again.
We are treating symptoms not causes and how many have the knowledge to diagnose the cause with modern computor controls?

Eventually we give up and buy another car in the hope it will be more reliable.
Designed obsolescence indeed.

Paul.

[Jinxie]

Originally Posted by green van man

This is the worrying bit, not knowing.

Computor plays up, reboot and it behaves but why did it play up? No idea but it's OK now until it plays up again.
We are treating symptoms not causes and how many have the knowledge to diagnose the cause with modern computor controls?

Eventually we give up and buy another car in the hope it will be more reliable.
Designed obsolescence indeed.

Paul.

Well, exactly so. If this doesn't work out due to technical issues proving insurmountable then I'll be driving computer-free vintage classic cars for the rest of my days - and I'll be quite happy to do so!