Changed steering lock, now wipers activate
 

Just changed the steering lock on my '83 300CD.

everything went smoothly, and now the steering wheel unlocks without having to jiggle it back and forth.
the key tumbler is also new-ish.

the problem is, now once in a while when the car is started, the wipers activate for one cycle.

doesn't happen all the time, but it has happened a few times.

is this an ignition switch problem, or an issue with the multi-switch stalk?
the stalk is original

thanks for any input

It may be with the umbilical cord that is plugged into the rear of the ignition switch...Maybe a pin is miss placed or something...Never heard of this happening before...

the harness going to the rear of the steering/ignition lock has cut outs for positioning, so it only fits one way.

not sure why wiring for ignition and wipers would be interconnected except for power

I thought it was weird too

don't want to replace the stalk for no reason, it functions correctly

If I was encountering this problem, I would consult the Factory Service Manual's applicable wiring diagram, specifically for the wiper control circuit. Trace the wiper control's circuit in an effort to determine if there is some intersection of functionality between it and the ignition wiring circuit. If so, consider a temporary disconnection of a segment of the wiper control's circuit to determine the effect and keep working step-by-step to diagnose.

yes. I will try to find the diagram.

just curious if anyone's even heard of this weirdness happening.

was hoping it was an easy solution.

I think they are not related, and you simply have a flaky stalk which needs to be cleaned. I've successfully cleaned them and restored full functionality on one 123 car and one 124 car.

IIRC, on your 123 car, the end cap of the stalk can be pried off with a small screwdriver. Be careful about marring the plastic. When I did it, I removed the stalk from the car, which is a bit of a hassle but not too bad. I tied a string to the connector before I pulled the stalk wiring harness out of the dash, so I could use the string to pull it back into position. The stalk has a number of small parts inside, but you can take it apart and clean all the contacts (De-Ox-It is a great cleaner) and I'll bet that stops your malfunction.

I likewise doubt that the two are related but I cannot state that with certitude.

I had never heard of De-Ox-It but it looks good. A similar product that I have used with excellent results is Wurth's Contact Cleaner OL: "Formulated for improved cleaning and moisture displacement, Contact Cleaner OL is an electronic cleaner which will remove dirt, moisture, dust, flux and oxides from the internal components and contacts of electronic devices which include radios, compact disc players, DVD players and computer circuit boards. Leaves an anti-oxidation film behind."

Maxbumpo: Thanks for the helpful stalk servicing write-up.

Haha! My wipers go off when I:

• Start the car
• Honk
• Adjust my electric passenger mirror upwards

That's about it.

ETA the ignition is original

Took the cluster out yesterday and installed a rebuilt rheostat. Now the dimmer is working correctly.

I also put dielectric grease in the steering lock connectors and made sure everything was pressed in tight.

Wipers still cycle one time when engine is cranked. Sometimes they don't park in the correct position.

Any thoughts?

I am not sure if these symptoms implicate the wiper relay or the combination switch. Or possibly both.

Initially I thought maybe there was a loose connection, but after reseating all the behind dash harnesses, I'm thinking its something else.

My wipers also cycle once when I start the car
and sometimes when I adjust the pass mirror. They park fine.
I replaced the combo switch and cleaned and it still happens.

It's not a big deal so I have lived with them like that for years.

Jeff

did you do any repairs prior to this happening.? Mine started acting up immediately after replacing the steering lock assembly.

I am suspecting the little black contact switch that plugs into the steering lock. Not sure what its function is, but I re-used it from the old steering lock.

Also, not sure if a bad relay could be the cause.

I've looked at electrical diagrams, but the don't make any sense to me.

Changed the wiper relay behind the cluster and all seems good for now.

Not sure why changing the steering lock led to the relay's demise.

Got the KAE brand from pp. made in Germany. $30.

Is there any way to repair the old one? I'd like to fix it and have it as backup.

Thx