Mercedes-Benz W202 wipers run by themselves or intermittent wipe does not work
Mercedes-Benz W202 wipers start by themselves or intermittent wipe does not work. What is the fault?
The most common causes are oxidised contacts in the multifunction stalk (the control lever next to the steering wheel), the multifunction relay in the fuse box, or the wiper motor's rest position sensing. The faulty part is replaced or the contacts are cleaned.
The wiper stops in the middle of the glass or sweeps several times in intermittent mode. What is the cause?
The rest position sensing under the wiper motor cover may be dirty or worn, so the motor does not know where to stop. Cleaning the contacts sometimes helps, while a faulty motor needs a new one.
How do I tell whether the fault is in the stalk, the relay or the motor?
If the intermittent relay clicks, the relay and the control are usually fine and the fault is in the wiper motor or its connector. Worn blades and a film on the glass can also make the wiper run continuously or unevenly, so check them first.
Do I need to take the steering wheel apart to replace the multifunction stalk?
Replacing the stalk requires access to the steering wheel, at least on the -96 model. The area around the steering wheel is safety-critical, so have a workshop do the job.