Front window wiper motor??! Megane Coupe 2001

mazzicoupe · Unread post by **mazzicoupe** » 05 Jan 2009, 13:05

Hi guys... ok 2 things to begin with .. i am brand new on here and i am a helpless woman who has limited knowledge of all things car related

...oh and i need your help!

i have a megane coupe 16v 2001...this morning i put my wipers on and they worked for about 10 seconds..now they arent working at all - have i blown the motor?! I've been looking into this online and find prices all over the place - from 150 to 45 quid... any tips, ideas or help?!

I should be ok to have it fitted as the Bf is good with these things..

thanks in advance

Unread post by **myglaren** » 05 Jan 2009, 13:13

Hi Mazzi and welcome to the FCF.

My guess would be a blown fuse, simplest thing to check for initially anyway. If anything (ice?) was impeding the wiper blades then the motor could have been overloaded. Hopefully yhe damage will be limited to a blown fuse, if not more help will be at hand before too long when the guys who know what they are talking about log in.

Don't think you are limited to buying a motor from a dealer though, there are many other sources out there, the two at the top of the list being GSF Car Parts and EuroCarParts as a jumping-off point.
Prices are generally substantially less than the dealer's prices.

mazzicoupe · Unread post by **mazzicoupe** » 05 Jan 2009, 13:15

thank you myglaren!!

fingers crossed for a blown fuse as it was really icy this morning

mazzicoupe · Unread post by **mazzicoupe** » 05 Jan 2009, 13:26

Oh i forgot to mention also ... when i attempt to switch them on, i can hear the relay clicking from down below the footwell, would the relay still function if the fuse is blown…?

Oh and are any of the fuses under the bonnet to do with the wipers???

Unread post by **myglaren** » 05 Jan 2009, 13:36

Possibly, depending on how it was wired.

I appreciate that you may need an urgent fix to the car but there are far more knowledgable and experienced "Hands On" guys here who will be able to offer better advice on your problem, Anders and Cloggz spring first to mind but there are many others. Unfortunately they are likely to be working at the minute, as should I, but never fear, someone will be around soon.

If your boyfriend is around and can wire a temporary feed to the motor and see if there is any life in it if the fuse replacement trick doesn't work, it might cut out a lot of work but there is no real substitute for proper logical diagnostics.

Could be a loose connection or a dud relay - I know it is clicking but the contact could be burned or broken. Not very likely I will admit but not altogether impossible.

mazzicoupe · Unread post by **mazzicoupe** » 05 Jan 2009, 13:55

aw thanks again for your response! i have time to wait for more advice from the forum as i've blagged my fella into taking me to and from work for the week

- will be checking back to see what comes up - so in the mean time many thanks myglaren - now back to work !!

your help is much appreciated !

mazzicoupe · Unread post by **mazzicoupe** » 05 Jan 2009, 17:36

Right ok so my BF has had a look - it doesnt seem to be the motor at all - on the cable pack under the bonnet - if i pull down on the wires the wipers work...if i pull on a single wire (purple one) it also works??

so for now there is a cable tie taught pulling the wires so it works when i switch the wipers on - obviously this isnt a long term fix but we are still a bit stumped as to what the problem actually is??? Any ideas welcome....

Unread post by **myglaren** » 05 Jan 2009, 17:51

a loose/corroded/burned pin in one of the plugs/sockets carrying the power for the wipers would be my first guess.

If you can get at them and unplug the various connectors that seem to be affected, look for loose or damaged pins and clips in the plugs and sockets. Try using some electrical contact cleaner - Maplins or the like will have it - and push them together and pull them apart a few times.
As the relay is operating I would concentrate on the conductors carrying the power to the wipers rather than the signal wire beteen the switch and relay.

If any are badly corroded try cleaning them up with fine emery paper but don't get any metallic dust in the sockets. If the contact areas are burned you will really need to replace them to preclude the same thing happening again.

mazzicoupe · Unread post by **mazzicoupe** » 06 Jan 2009, 15:20

Nope am still no further forward!!

The cable ties did not work and now its just back to not working at all - the BF reckons that he cannot work out if its the cables or the actual motor itself - we dont want to take it to a garage as they'll probably just fit a new motor and the charges will pile on from there... we are stuck!!!

Unread post by **myglaren** » 07 Jan 2009, 12:17

Sorry that this problem doesn't seem to be receiving much attention.

If your boyfriend isn't comfortable with progressing the fault finding any further then I would suggest first pricing the parts from GSF and Euro Car Parts so you have an idea of the parts costs and then trying to get someone to recommend an independent Auto-Electrician.

As with plumbers, there are good ones and bad ones, therefore a personal recommendation is priceless. Some but not all garages will offer Auto-Electrical services. A Renault specialist will likely find the fault quite quickly but I doubt it will be difficult for someone with experience.

mazzicoupe · Unread post by **mazzicoupe** » 13 Jan 2009, 16:23

A solution!!

I had to take it to the auto electricians - all he said was that there was a 'wiring problem in the motor ' - cost me £69 in total... happy enough with that as i was anticipating a new wiper motor!!