Windscreen wiper — checking technical condition and diagnostics of faults (Opel Zafira A)

Contents: Checking the technical condition ⬇ Troubleshooting ⬇

Windscreen wipers play a major role in ensuring road safety. A sudden windscreen wiper failure can occur at the wrong time and cause a lot of trouble. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically check the technical condition of the windscreen wipers and promptly eliminate faults.

Checking the technical condition

Recommendation: It is logical to combine the inspection with the inspection of the technical condition of the windshield washers.

1. Sequentially turn on the various operating modes of the front windshield wiper (it is better to wet the glass with water first, at least using the standard windshield washer):

in intermittent mode, the brushes make one stroke every few seconds;
at the first speed the brushes move continuously without pauses;
at the second speed the brushes move constantly, but faster than at the first speed;
when the windshield washer is turned on, the wipers make several strokes.

2. Turn on the rear wiper (where it is installed):

in intermittent mode the brush makes one stroke every few seconds;
when you turn on the windshield washer, the brush makes several strokes.

The faults that can be detected during the above checks are caused by a breakdown of the windshield wiper electrical equipment. The fault diagnostic algorithm is given below (see "Fault diagnostics").

3. When moving on the glass, the brushes should not grind or vibrate, leaving uncleaned areas in the cleaning zone. If such malfunctions occur, the brushes must be replaced (see "Windscreen wiper blades - replacement").

4. Raise the arms of all the windshield wipers one by one. They should move with force (but not excessive and without snacks) rise and reliably, "with a spring effect" press against the glass. If the lever is difficult to lift and does not press against the glass under the action of the spring, the lever must be replaced (see "Astra Front Windscreen Wiper Drive Replacement", "Front windscreen wiper drive model Zafira - replacement", "Astra Rear Wiper Drive - Replacement" or "Zafira Rear Window Wiper Drive - Replacement").

Troubleshooting

Depending on the nature of the windshield wiper malfunction, the sequence of testing and the range of elements to be tested vary. Therefore, the sequence of troubleshooting is given for the most typical windshield wiper malfunctions, from which you choose your particular case.

To complete the work you will need a multimeter.

None of the speeds of the front wiper work

1. In cars with a sedan body, check fuse F14 (see "Fuse and relay mounting blocks"). If necessary, replace it. Turn on the ignition and check the operation of the windshield wipers. If the fuse burns out again, there is a short circuit in the wiring, which must be found and eliminated (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

Note: The following algorithm is suitable for all models and body types.

2. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the gearmotor (see "Astra Front Windscreen Wiper Drive Replacement" or "Front windscreen wiper drive model Zafira - replacement").

3. Turn on the ignition and use a multimeter in voltmeter mode to check the voltage between the terminals of the connector corresponding to contacts 53a and 31 of the gear motor (the numbers are printed on the cover, the colors of the wires are purple-black and brown respectively). The voltage should be 12 V.

4. If there is no voltage, check the electrical circuit from the fuse box to the windshield wiper motor-reducer (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

5. Check the gear motor (see "Checking electrical consumers"). We replace the faulty gear motor.

6. Check the right steering column switch (see "Steering column switches - checking and replacement"). We replace the faulty switch.

7. Check the wiring of the windshield wiper circuit (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

One of the front wiper modes does not work

1. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the gearmotor (see "Astra Front Windscreen Wiper Drive Replacement" or "Front windscreen wiper drive model Zafira - replacement"),

2. Turn on the ignition and set the right steering column switch to the position in which the windshield wiper does not work. Using a multimeter in voltmeter mode, check the voltage between the terminals of the block corresponding to the contacts of the gearmotor (the numbers are printed on the lid):

intermittent mode: 53 and 31 (wire colors: yellow and brown respectively); the voltage appears in pulses lasting several tenths of a second after several seconds;
first speed: 53 and 31 (wire colors: yellow and brown respectively); the tension is constant;
second speed: 53b and 31 (wire colors: white and brown respectively); the tension is constant.

If voltage is present, the gear motor is faulty and must be replaced.

3. Check the right steering column switch (see "Steering column switches - checking and replacement"). We replace the faulty switch.

4. Check the wiring of the windshield wiper circuit (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

Only the intermittent mode of the front windshield wiper does not work (when the first or second speed is turned off, the windshield wiper may stop in any position)

1. Check the front wiper relay (see "Mounting Blocks - Replacing Fuses and Relays").

2. Check the wiring of the windshield wiper circuit (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

The rear wiper does not work

1. Check the rear wiper relay (see "Mounting Blocks - Replacing Fuses and Relays").

2. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the gearmotor (see "Astra Rear Wiper Drive - Replacement" or "Zafira Rear Window Wiper Drive - Replacement").

3. Turn on the ignition and use a multimeter in voltmeter mode to check the voltage between the terminals of the socket (wire colors: purple-black and brown respectively). The voltage should be 12 V.

4. If there is no voltage, check the electrical circuit from the fuse box to the windshield wiper motor-reducer (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

5. On the Zafira model, check the additional rear wiper relay installed on the luggage compartment door (see "Checking the relay").

5. On the Zafira model, check the additional rear wiper relay installed on the luggage compartment…

6. Turn on the ignition and set the right steering column switch to the position in which the rear window wiper operates. Using a multimeter in voltmeter mode, check the voltage between the terminals of the block (wire colors blue and brown). The voltage appears in pulses lasting several tenths of a second every few seconds.

7. If there is no voltage, check the right steering column switch (see "Steering column switches - checking and replacement"). We replace the faulty switch.

8. Check the wiring of the windshield wiper circuit (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

Both windshield wipers do not work (Astra hatchback and station wagon, Zafira)

1. Check fuse F14 (see "Fuse and relay mounting blocks"). If necessary, replace it. Turn on the ignition and check the operation of the windshield wipers. If the fuse burns out again, there is a short circuit in the wiring, which must be found and eliminated (see "Checking and repairing electrical circuits").

2. Check the right steering column switch (see "Steering column switches - checking and replacement"). We replace the faulty switch.