Wiper arm moves on its own - random

SecretBob · Jul 24th, 2020, 08:01

Hi folks, new Volvo owner here having recently purchased a late 2016 XC60 (D5 SE LUX NAV AWD). Love the motor to bits, really enjoy driving it, but have an issue that just plain intrigues me.

Occasionally, maybe once or twice a week, the wipers start when the ignition is started. This is not the rain sensor, it's because the wiper arm has changed position, but I swear that it hasn't been touched. I didn't knock it starting as the start button is on the opposite side of the wheel, nor when stopping. Thought it was just me, but has happened to Mrs Bob too.

It's just baffling us how the arm is changing position, it happens quite often, I'm sure we'd know if we were knocking the arm up or down. Maybe we got the special edition that came with it's own ghost, or maybe someone knows why this happens? Any help welcome. Thanks.

BobS · Jul 24th, 2020, 14:52

Hi,

Here is my thoughts I hope it may help you narrow the problem?

In the old days I would suspect the parking switch contacts in the wiper motor. A dismantle and good clean of the contacts and gears and all would be well.

Nowadays with intermittent wipe and rain sensor either of these could trigger the wipers as you describe.

As a guess if the wipers always stop when switched off and don't do 'an extra wipe' I would not suspect the parking switch.

With the ignition on and the wipers switched off carefully wiggle the wiper arms to try and provoke a wipe.

If you can isolate the power to the rain sensor (careful to check what else is powered from that fuse) then see if it still happens.

These are just what comes to mind they may be of no use but hope you find the problem.

Bob
P.S. When we were looking to buy our XC60 (2015) one main dealer we looked at had a XC60 where they had taken the whole wiper assembly out to fit to a customers car and were waiting for the replacement to come.
Could this be a known problem? Worth asking a knowledgeable dealer?

DT19 · Jul 24th, 2020, 16:25

If none of the above works there might be another explanation which doesn't involve ghosts.

I remember a news report years ago about a spate of wiper rubbers getting damaged and it turned out it was birds trying to eat them, build nests or something. I can't remember if it was seagulls, crows or magpies.

If all the sensible ideas come to nothing it might be worth looking at before you call out the vicar.

Jul 24th, 2020, 08:01	#1
SecretBob New Member Last Online: Jul 24th, 2020 08:18 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Milton Keynes	Wiper arm moves on its own - random Hi folks, new Volvo owner here having recently purchased a late 2016 XC60 (D5 SE LUX NAV AWD). Love the motor to bits, really enjoy driving it, but have an issue that just plain intrigues me. Occasionally, maybe once or twice a week, the wipers start when the ignition is started. This is not the rain sensor, it's because the wiper arm has changed position, but I swear that it hasn't been touched. I didn't knock it starting as the start button is on the opposite side of the wheel, nor when stopping. Thought it was just me, but has happened to Mrs Bob too. It's just baffling us how the arm is changing position, it happens quite often, I'm sure we'd know if we were knocking the arm up or down. Maybe we got the special edition that came with it's own ghost, or maybe someone knows why this happens? Any help welcome. Thanks.

Jul 24th, 2020, 14:52	#2
BobS Master Member Last Online: May 29th, 2023 19:30 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Warwickshire	Hi, Here is my thoughts I hope it may help you narrow the problem? In the old days I would suspect the parking switch contacts in the wiper motor. A dismantle and good clean of the contacts and gears and all would be well. Nowadays with intermittent wipe and rain sensor either of these could trigger the wipers as you describe. As a guess if the wipers always stop when switched off and don't do 'an extra wipe' I would not suspect the parking switch. With the ignition on and the wipers switched off carefully wiggle the wiper arms to try and provoke a wipe. If you can isolate the power to the rain sensor (careful to check what else is powered from that fuse) then see if it still happens. These are just what comes to mind they may be of no use but hope you find the problem. Bob P.S. When we were looking to buy our XC60 (2015) one main dealer we looked at had a XC60 where they had taken the whole wiper assembly out to fit to a customers car and were waiting for the replacement to come. Could this be a known problem? Worth asking a knowledgeable dealer? __________________ V70, 140BHP 2002 AUTO. XC60 2015 AUTO

Jul 24th, 2020, 16:25	#3
DT19 Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:06 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: York	If none of the above works there might be another explanation which doesn't involve ghosts. I remember a news report years ago about a spate of wiper rubbers getting damaged and it turned out it was birds trying to eat them, build nests or something. I can't remember if it was seagulls, crows or magpies. If all the sensible ideas come to nothing it might be worth looking at before you call out the vicar.

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