Windscreen wiper problems, help !

[Ben_UK]

Hello,

I have got a Fiat Punto Sporting, its a 2000 W reg.

I am having problems with the windscreen wipers and no idea whats causing it.

I have just replaced the wiperblades but the problem is still happening.

I have 3 settings for wiper speed,

1- slow
2-middle
3-fast

The problem occurs mainly on the first setting. But it does happening on the faster settings. It seems the faster the wipers go it helps to smooth out the wiping motion.

The problem is that the wiperblades dont run smooth, they keep jumping when wiping. Its hard to explain but they dont wipe in a smooth motion. Its like there sticking and jumping. It dont clear the screen correctly and leaves mess all over it.

Anyone got any idea what could be causing it ?

Thanks Ben

[jon bda]

Check the linkage for any play mate, i had to replace the lot on a Punto of a similar age the other week because it had all fallen apart!.

[Tumble]

Give the outside of the screen a clean.. and wipe the wiper blades with your fingers - there should be a load of black 'orrible stuff come off em.. should notice a difference... if that don't work - check the linkages like Jon said

[Ben_UK]

Cheers lads.

How do i check the linkage ? no idea what it is

[filbert]

sounds like the arms not squire to the screen, try to twist it in the opposite way from the way it jumps.

[dave87]

I was utterly wrong - ignore me and see tumbles post below.

Dave

[Tumble]

the linkage is this bit:



they stick sometimes and make the wiper not contact on the screen properly. I carry a tin of WD40 around in the landy specifically for the purpose of making the buggers work.

[5lab]

i'd suggest getting new blades and cleanign the windscreen.

[herulach]

On a tangential point, has anyone ever removed the inside boot cover from a mk1 punto? I have an intermittent fault on mine where either the rear window heater, or the rear wiper (one or the other, never both) completly fails to work. Figure its a duff cable somewhere.

[herbert_goon]

lol my Alfa 146 did that. I know the problem. It's italian. Consider it part of the charm.....

[jon bda]

Cheers lads.

How do i check the linkage ? no idea what it is

Pop the bonnet and look at where the actual windscreen wiper arms are bolted on at the bottom. The linkage is the maze of rods running underneath the windscreen and with the wiper motor bolted at one end. Check for play in any of the joints...and its about £120 for a new one as you can't buy them from Fiat WITHOUT the wiper motor...

[Zak33]

Tumbles idea is best: The wiper rubber is held on the screen (which is curved glass dont forget...its not flat) with pressure from the wiper arm that has a spring at it's base. It pusehes the blade onto the screen.

However....the entire wiper blade is held onto the screen by several "arches" or "arcs" of metal.

Look at Tumble's picture here


see therubber (which on this is split) is held on the screen by a flattened out arche...and THAT in turn is at the end of a bigger arch.

Well,....sometimes these arches don't move on their axis.....so they stay FLAT and dont flex with the screen...

I'm struggling here for words...back in a mo

[Zak33]

right....thats better.

See the big ar is an arch..and their are smaller arches attached that hold the wiper

They all need to pivot...so thewiper rubber bends to the screen shape. They need to be "free" or loose

[Zak33]

while we're at it.....see the numver 3 and 4....the bit that attached to your car wiper arm?

I bet the wiper arm is skinnier than the thing it fits into....and therefore the wiper "flops" about.

That also causes what you describe..the blade never sits "square" on the glass...it flops about.

If so, try to get a better fit.

[Ben_UK]

Thanks for all the help lads.

Will give it ago tomorrow and see what happens.

Thanks Ben

[dkmech]

Also if it cleans fine in one direction and jumps in another you can sometimes just swap the blade round - so its facing in a different direction. It might help or it might at least jump on the upstroke and get cleared on the downstroke.