Broken Wiper Linkage

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dave_xsara
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Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by dave_xsara »

Hi,

Headed out at lunchtime today to get some things and the wipers failed. I can hear the motor so I suspect that it is the linkage that has failed.
Weather is too bad here to be driving without them at the minute. So unless I can fix them then I'm in a taxi until fixed!

What is needed to get access to the linkage? Car is an 01 Xsara 90HDi.
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Paul-R
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by Paul-R »

From memory (ours went a good few years ago) you have to take the top panel off. It's held in place by plastic clips which mostly broke when prised away. Try to preserve as many as possible they are NLA now. I found a clip off some other vehicle and then used double sided sticky to complete the job.

Actual linkage removal is fairly obvious, I did it without using a manual.
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dave_xsara
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by dave_xsara »

So its just a matter of prising off the plastic panel and then the linkage can be cable-tied together temporarily until I get a replacement linkage.
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Paul-R
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by Paul-R »

I looked at tying them together and found it wasn't possible because the linkage rotates. I had to get a replacement from a scrapyard pdq.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Here's the parts diagram for your Xsara:
Xsara Conrod.PNG
Disconnect the battery.
Remove:
  • The wiper arm blades, windscreen wipers
  • The scuttle grille
Xsara Conrod A.PNG
Remove the clip (5).
Disconnect the connector (3) .
Remove:
  • The screws (1), (2) and (4)
  • Remove screen wiper mechanism assembly (6)
Xsara Conrod B.PNG
In order to uncouple the windscreen motor, Perform the following operations:
  • Remove the nut (7)
  • Remove the bolts (8)
Refitting is the reverse order to removal
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dave_xsara
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by dave_xsara »

I don't think I'll be able to get the wiper arms off here at work, so I'll just leave it in to be fixed. I was told it was likely a clip QC546.
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by Paul-R »

Taking the arms off the spindles was a bit of a ballache. I had to buy a puller specially to do the job.

I don't know what the clip QC546 is but I would be doubtful. My experience is that the plastic cup, into which a metal ball on one of the linkage arms is pressed, has worn and that's allowed the ball to fall out.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by wheeler »

Cable tying it will be a waste of time, you will be lucky to get a few minutes out of it.
A good temporary repair for a worn wiper linkage is to get a plastic bag (the thicker 10p ones are good) cut a square out roughly 2” x 2”, fold it over on itself twice then put it over the ball before popping the linkage back on, shoul be fairly tight to pop it on, you may need to increase or decrease the thickness. I did the same thing on my mates Vivaro a few years back to the gear linkage to get him back on the road, it was still like that nearly a year later when he sold it on.
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by NewcastleFalcon »

Plenty of Repair Clips around for a cheap semi-permanent solution. Halfords even do one for Vaux VAG and Fiat.
These on e-bay do give the Xsara Picasso a mention, as well as various other Citroens.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WINDSCREEN-W ... 2474928016

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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by Paul-R »

Those clips are exactly what I was looking for when our Xsara's wiper linkage broke. Wish I'd known about them then!

I wonder if there's one available the right size for the dog-leg height sensor when it eventually goes?
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
dave_xsara
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by dave_xsara »

Yup those are the clips I've got. I didn't have a way to get the word off so I'll let the mechanic in our business park do the job.
With storm Diana on the way I can't risk driving without wipers.
dave_xsara
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by dave_xsara »

Looks like the ball and socket joint is kaput. The mechanic managed to get it together, but it is a temporary solution.
According to the local motor factor, the linkage is 6401C4 and the motor is 6405H4.

I've taken a look on an internet auction site and there seems to be a few for sale, but the number (if present do not correlate). Is there a site which will allow me to cross reference the numbers?

Also, not sure if everyone knows this but searching for Xsara parts in eBay is a pain in the arse due to so many Picasso parts polluting the results. By typing -picasso into the search it omits any result with picasso in the title.
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by GiveMeABreak »

Those are the correct part numbers, and the Conrod assembly is no longer available new from Citroen, although the motor is, at £243.08. I’ve had a brief look to and think you are really going to struggle to get that part nowadays. 8-[
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by Paul-R »

Breakers yard as per my post I'm afraid.
As I get older I think a lot about the hereafter - I go into a room and then wonder what I'm here after.

Inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened.

"Trying is the first step towards failure" ~ Homer J Simpson​
dave_xsara
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Re: Broken Wiper Linkage

Post by dave_xsara »

Can someone confirm the correlation between 6401C4 and 3397020511?

Part Number : 3397020511

Part Number: 3397020511

I'll go out and see if I can find a number stamped into the linkage later this afternoon. Hopefully, it will be readable without removal.
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