Vauxhall Vectra C Wiper Stalk replacement

Vauxhall Vectra C Wiper Stalk replacement

Author
Discussion

Barney013

Original Poster:

8 posts

165 months

Monday 7th March 2011
quotequote all
Hello all,
The intermittent switch on my wiper switch is not working and I have obtained a replacement stalk. My problem now is.... how to I replace it. It looks as if I have to take part of the facia away to get to it. If this is the case how does this facia come away... cannot see any screws about to undo it. Can anyone out there please advise me how to go about it.
Thanks in anticipation

GaryGlitter

2,000 posts

190 months

Thursday 10th March 2011
quotequote all
It should be the same as swapping the indicator stalk (which gets done for low cost cruise control installs).

Pull the rubber gator back, there's a groove in the stalk that leads to a ball bearing that retains the stalk. Run a paper clip parallel to the stalk and along the groove and it will push the ball bearing back allowing the stalk to be removed. Re-install just requires the stalk clicking into place.

Barney013

Original Poster:

8 posts

165 months

Thursday 10th March 2011
quotequote all
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the info, have just removed the existing stalk and replaced the new stalk as per your instructions, and guess what, the intermittant is still not working. So it must be something else wrong, any ideas ??
Thanks

Magictrousers

268 posts

181 months

Thursday 10th March 2011
quotequote all
What year and model Vectra is it?

Barney013

Original Poster:

8 posts

165 months

Thursday 10th March 2011
quotequote all
Hi Magictrousers,
Its a Vectra SXI 16v 2002 5 door Hatchback, thanks for offering to help.
Best regards

Magictrousers

268 posts

181 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
In that case, IIRC the car should have rain sensitive wipers, as opposed to a conventional intermittent set up.

When you click up once, it sets the wipers to Auto. When the sensor detects rain, it will start the wipers.
If this isn't happening, the sensor on the screen behind the mirror could be damaged. Ususally ham fisted windscreen replacement can damage the ribbon cable into it.

The wheel on top of the stalk adjusts the sensitivity. To be fair, they can be hyperactive, both of mine will throw the wipers on full speed if there's just a hint of moisture in the air. Normally, they just work.

Just to clarify, there isn't a conventional intermittent setting on these cars. It's off, Auto, Normal speed constant, High speed constant.

HTH


Barney013

Original Poster:

8 posts

165 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Well thats put the spanner in the works (as they say), here's me thinking the wiper stalk is up the creek and buying a new one (well new to me), and after all I didnt need it. Anyway I now have a spare one for the tool box or maybe put it back on ebay. Maybe you could help me further and save me more expense,on the passenger side window/locking switch for this car, the locking switch works but the window up/down switch isnt responding. I can of course open/close the passenger window from the drivers side duel switch, but not on the passenger side switch. I have tried a replacement passenger switch but still no luck. Before I bang my head against a brick wall, can you throw any light on what is wrong, or is another of these odd ball switches that are only there for show ??
Sorry about this, but any help is welcome.
Thanks again for your help with the wiper stalk, its much appreciated.
Best regards


Magictrousers

268 posts

181 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Nomally it's knackered contacts on the inside of the micro switch, but using two and having no response chucks that idea out of the window. (no pun intended)

Motor failures are rare, but not unheard of. I take it the door loom plug is in tightly and the contacts are all clean?

Magictrousers

268 posts

181 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Magictrousers said:
Nomally it's knackered contacts on the inside of the micro switch, but using two and having no response chucks that idea out of the window. (no pun intended)

Motor failures are rare, but not unheard of.But then if it was the motor it wouldn't work form the drivers side either... I take it the door loom plug is in tightly and the contacts are all clean?

Barney013

Original Poster:

8 posts

165 months

Sunday 13th March 2011
quotequote all
Your a star, after trying both old and new switches and they didnt do the trick. I thought ive nothing to loose so I took one of the switches apart to have a shufti, couldnt see nothing wrong, put it back together again, tried it in situ this morning, and its working. So your suggestion of dirty contacts etc paid off.
So thanks again for your excellent help.
Very best regards

VxDuncan

2,850 posts

241 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
quotequote all
Pax door switches are very common as they are not used too often.

As for the wipers, I think you have it sorted now? If not you could have the same issue (dodgy contacts). Bare in mind (depending on the age of the car) the stalks go through the CIM (column integrated module) the issue may be with this. It's a big CAN node that pulls the wheel and coumn switches onto the CAN bus. Dodgy contacts are quite common. You don't want to pay too much with it as a replacement needs recoding to the car via Vx diagnostics I beleive.

Barney013

Original Poster:

8 posts

165 months

Sunday 3rd April 2011
quotequote all
Hi,
Thanks for your advice, we think all is working okay now. I said we because its my son's car which he recently purchased and like all kids, they call on parents to try and sort out snags they cant be bothered with as long as the wheels are turning.
Thanks again to all