Checking the technical condition
Recommendation. It is logical to combine the inspection with checking the technical condition of the windshield washers.
1. Sequentially turn on the various operating modes of the front wiper (first, it is better to moisten the glass with water, at least with the help of a regular windshield washer):
- in intermittent mode, the brushes make one stroke after a few seconds;
- at the first speed, the brushes move constantly without pauses;
- at the second speed, the brushes move constantly, but faster than at the first speed;
- when you turn on the washer, the brushes make several strokes.
2. Turn on the rear wiper (where installed):
- in intermittent mode, the brush makes one stroke after a few seconds;
- when you turn on the washer, the brush makes several strokes.
Malfunctions that can be detected during the above checks are caused by a breakdown in the electrical equipment of the windshield wipers. The troubleshooting algorithm is shown below (see «Troubleshooting»).
3. When moving on the glass, the brushes should not grind and vibrate, leave uncleaned areas in the cleaning zone. If such malfunctions occur, the brushes must be replaced (see «Wiper blades - replacement»).
4. Raise the arms of all wipers one by one. They must forcefully (but not excessive and without snacking) climb and securely, «with springy effect» cling to 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 wiper drive - replacement», «Zafira front wiper drive - replacement», «Astra rear wiper drive - replacement» or «Zafira Rear Wiper Actuator - Replacement»).
Troubleshooting
Depending on the nature of the wiper malfunction, the test sequence and the range of items to be checked differ. Therefore, the troubleshooting sequence is given for the most typical windshield wiper malfunctions, from which you choose your case.
You will need a multimeter to do the job.
None of the front wiper speeds work
1. In sedan cars, 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 blows again, there is a short circuit in the wiring that needs to be found and repaired (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
Comment. The further algorithm is suitable for all models and body types.
2. Disconnect the wiring harness block from the gear motor (see «Astra front wiper drive - replacement» or «Zafira front wiper drive - replacement»).
3. Turn on the ignition and use a multimeter in voltmeter mode to check the voltage between the terminals of the block corresponding to contacts 53a and 31 of the gearmotor (numbers are printed on the cover, wire colors: violet-black and brown, respectively). The voltage must be 12 V.
4. If there is no voltage, we check the electrical circuit from the fuse mounting block to the wiper motor-reducer (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
5. Checking the gear motor (see «Checking electrical consumers»). We replace the defective gear motor.
6. Checking the right steering column switch (see «Paddle switches - check and replace»). Replace the defective switch.
7. Check Wiper Circuit Wiring (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
One of the front wiper modes does not work
1. Disconnect the wiring harness block from the gear motor (see «Astra front wiper drive - replacement» or «Zafira front wiper drive - replacement»),
2. Turn on the ignition and set the right steering column switch to the position where the wiper does not work. Using a multimeter in voltmeter mode, we check the voltage between the terminals of the block corresponding to the contacts of the gear motor (numbers are printed on the cover):
- intermittent mode: 53 and 31 (wire colors: yellow and brown respectively); voltage appears in pulses lasting several tenths of a second after a few seconds;
- first speed: 53 and 31 (wire colors: yellow and brown respectively); tension is constant;
- second speed: 53b and 31 (wire colors: white and brown respectively); tension is constant.
If voltage is supplied, the gear motor is faulty, it must be replaced.
3. Checking the right steering column switch (see «Paddle switches - check and replace»). Replace the defective switch.
4. Check the wiring of the wiper circuit (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
Only the intermittent front wiper does not work (when turning off the first or second speed, the wiper can stop in an arbitrary position)
1. Check the front wiper relay (see «Mounting Blocks - Replacing Fuses and Relays»).
2. Check the wiring of the wiper circuit (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
Rear wiper not working
1. Check the rear wiper relay (see «Mounting Blocks - Replacing Fuses and Relays»).
2. Disconnect the wiring harness block from the gear motor (see «Astra rear wiper drive - replacement» or «Zafira Rear Wiper Actuator - Replacement»).
3. Turn on the ignition and use a multimeter in voltmeter mode to check the voltage between the terminals of the block (wire colors: purple-black and brown, respectively). The voltage must be 12 V.
4. If there is no voltage, we check the electrical circuit from the fuse mounting block to the wiper motor-reducer (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
5. On the Zafira model, we check the additional rear wiper relay installed on the tailgate (see «Relay test»).
6. Turn on the ignition and set the right steering column switch to the position in which the rear wiper works. Using a multimeter in voltmeter mode, we check the voltage between the terminals of the block (wire colors blue and brown). The voltage appears in pulses lasting a few tenths of a second after a few seconds.
7. If there is no voltage, check the right steering column switch (see «Paddle switches - check and replace»). Replace the defective switch.
8. Check Wiper Circuit Wiring (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
Both windshield wipers not working (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 blows again, there is a short circuit in the wiring that needs to be found and repaired (see «Checking and repairing electrical circuits»).
2. Checking the right steering column switch (see «Paddle switches - check and replace»). Replace the defective switch.
All speeds and modes work, but the brushes spontaneously stop in various positions
1. Disconnect the wiring harness block from the gear motor (see «Astra front wiper drive - replacement», «Zafira front wiper drive - replacement», «Astra rear wiper drive - replacement» or «Zafira Rear Wiper Actuator - Replacement»). We check the connector for oxides and, if necessary, clean it, for example, with a special cleaner (see «Operational and repair materials»).
2. We replace the faulty gear motor (see «Astra front wiper drive - replacement», «Zafira front wiper drive - replacement», «Astra rear wiper drive - replacement» or «Zafira Rear Wiper Actuator - Replacement»).
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