123 wipers quit working
 

Hi all,

I have an '81 300TD (originally from Europe) which I've owned about 10 years.
It has been sitting for a while (due to water pump) but I've fixed that and am putting it back on the road. I would start it periodically, and the wipers worked up to last week.
Last week- nothing - no wipers on any speed. It does not blow fuses. If I try the washer I hear the motor at the tank, but no water gets to the 'squirters'.

Any suggestions ? Any 'hidden' inline fuses or relays or ????

Thanks for any help.

'still trying to figure it out, any ideas anyone ???

Thanks

There is a plug on the firewall behind the engine. Make sure it's plugged in.

Thanks for the tip, here's what I found.
The plug was secure, but corroded inside. I cleaned it thoroughly, but still no wipers or washer.
I had some spare relays, so changed the 3 on the drivers side inner fender. Still no wipers or washer.
Oddly, the headlight wipers and washers do work.

Hmmm ????

How the heck do you releace that #%&**%ing plug, I've buggered up a couple of them:confused:

royzell, I would put 12Vs directly to the motor too narrow the possibilities.

Thanks for the tip, I'll try that next weekend. (No tinkering today - Mothers' Day)

I didn't remove the attached male plug from the firewall, just detached the 'external - female' plug gently with a screwdriver.

Those relays are not for the wipers. The relay and timer are behind the instrument cluster. See the attached picture.

Just pull it straight out. It's just held in place with friction, just like the headlight plugs.

Oddly, the headlight wipers and washers do work.

Hmmm ????[/quote]
Can you hear the wiper motor? Sounds electrical in nature. Maybe the stalk? If you can, post pics of headlight wipers. Did not know they were available on the 123's.

re wipers
 

Im in the same boat..my pump motor tests fine in the 240d 123 82 .

I am going to check that firewall plug too..

well what WERE they for then the relays on the fender..headlight or cruise control my guess ..

Hey all,

This afternoon I finally got to the wipers on the old girl. I found nothing under the dash, so decided to remove and check out the wiper motor.
After figuring out how to get to it, and doing no damage I found that the firewall plug on the inside of the cowling, next to the wiper motor, was unbelieveably corroded, as well as the soldered connections on the bottom of the wiper motor.

I removed the motor (and plug) liberally applied WD40 and gently used a wire brush.

Now It Works ! I tested it several times during the reinstallation. You need to be careful that individual contacts stay fully 'down' in thier place in the plug.

Thanks for all the tips !

Congratulations, feels good, huh :D

Thanks Steve, you bet !

Rain-X and drive fast :D

My first W123 that I purchased sat for a while. I had intermittent problems with many electrical items. My problem was the contacts with the fuses and fuse terminals. Once I cleaned and spray some electrical contact cleaner the problem was no more.