Technical Wiper stalk issue?

[Seatibobs]

Hello

I have recently bought my first 500, a 2013 Lounge model.

I think the wiper stalk is a bit confused, as to operate the wiper wash pushing it forwards, towards the direction of the bonnet, activates the jets, but no wipers and if I pull it towards me, it mainly operates the rear wash wipe, but then after a second also the fronts without the jet spray, which just ends up with a blurred mess on boths screens if driving.. so it's sub optimal (and opposite to what the instruction manual says for directions).

I am wondering if there is a simple remedy or is this just something uneconomical to investigate or requires half the interior dismantling.. as I will just live with it, as I have been and do a manual sequence I have learned to get around it!

I have rebuilt aircooled VWs and 1990s Ford RS's previously, so I am not a complete philestine at investigating and resolving minor issues in simple engineered cars.. but this one is a bit too nice for me to just pull apart and see if I can figure out the issue blindly

Any help or advice very much appreciated.
I like this car so much, I might buy another.. everyone loves it and it makes them smile when they see it which none of my other cars have had this affection directed to them.

Many Thanks in advance

 

[steveras57]

Hello

I have recently bought my first 500, a 2013 Lounge model.

I think the wiper stalk is a bit confused, as to operate the wiper wash pushing it forwards, towards the direction of the bonnet, activates the jets, but no wipers and if I pull it towards me, it mainly operates the rear wash wipe, but then after a second also the fronts without the jet spray, which just ends up with a blurred mess on boths screens if driving.. so it's sub optimal (and opposite to what the instruction manual says for directions).

I am wondering if there is a simple remedy or is this just something uneconomical to investigate or requires half the interior dismantling.. as I will just live with it, as I have been and do a manual sequence I have learned to get around it!

I have rebuilt aircooled VWs and 1990s Ford RS's previously, so I am not a complete philestine at investigating and resolving minor issues in simple engineered cars.. but this one is a bit too nice for me to just pull apart and see if I can figure out the issue blindly

Any help or advice very much appreciated.
I like this car so much, I might buy another.. everyone loves it and it makes them smile when they see it which none of my other cars have had this affection directed to them.

Many Thanks in advance

Sounds MOST likely that the stalk itself has failed in some way! if its the basic coloum controls IE- a stalk either side one for wipers etc other for indicators and lights! then swapping it for a used replacement aint gonna be to expensive ( they are about £20 on E-bay) and will either solve it or show you have a bigger problem.

Worth getting the part number from your original one and trying to match it up when looking for a used part!
A bit of dismantling to do to get it changed! dont forget air bag / battery protocols for safety! good luck!

 

[Seatibobs]

Sounds MOST likely that the stalk itself has failed in some way! if its the basic coloum controls IE- a stalk either side one for wipers etc other for indicators and lights! then swapping it for a used replacement aint gonna be to expensive ( they are about £20 on E-bay) and will either solve it or show you have a bigger problem.

Worth getting the part number from your original one and trying to match it up when looking for a used part!
A bit of dismantling to do to get it changed! dont forget air bag / battery protocols for safety! good luck!

Thanks so much Makes sense.
I will look into it.

 

[GettinBetter]

I have a 2013 lounge, the operation to be expected is the following:-
Up - single cycle front wipers.
Forwards - Rear wash fluid.
Backwards - Front wash fluid.
Rotate end of stalk - activate rear wiper.
Down one notch - front wipers intermitent.
Down two notches - Front wipers on continuous.
When rear wiper is on, it will go once for every two front wipes.

 

[irc]

Could it be that someone has messed with the washer pump?
I may have misread it, but it sounds like the wiper functions are right but the washer functions are a bit confused.
Had similar on a Panda caused by failing washer pump, where front wash/wipe washed the rear screen and smeared the front one. New pump fixed it.

 

[GettinBetter]

Does it have one pump or two? I've not had to look at mine.
I've assumed it had two, but with the 500, who knows...

 

[irc]

Just the one pump, polarity defines which pipe the water comes out of.
On the panda it was gummed up with screenwash crystals and some gummy stuff which looked like toxic mucus.
No amount of cleaning got rid of it so I swapped the reservoir with a spare one I had laying around and a brand new pump.

 

[GettinBetter]

So as the OP says the rear washer works when he pulls towards you, they may the wrong polarity at the pump? Someone messed with it?

 

[irc]

Or its failed in some way. Possibly gummed up to the point it behaves oddly.
Just seems very similar to what I saw.
I didn't investigate beyond trying to clean it, but I suspect it had failed internally.