Intermittent Wiper Problem

[jwmacleo]

Hello all. I have a 2007 Civic LX with about 85000 kms on it (purchased in July 2007). My full warranty went to 60000kms, and the drivetrain goes to 100000kms. A few days ago my wipers started acting strange--they frequently don't park at the bottom of windshield, the intermittent setting isn't actually intermittent anymore, and the wipers don't stop running when I shut them off. My problem is described very well by TSB #07-071 (http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SB/a07-071.PDF).

I'm taking the car in to Honda to get another recall issue worked on tomorrow (water pump pulley), and I'm getting them to look at the wipers. This won't be covered by warranty anymore, but it does say on the TSB that the dealer can ask the District Parts and Service Manager for goodwill consideration.

Does anyone have recommendations regarding what I could say to make this goodwill consideration more likely?

I was thinking I could pull out the normal line--I'll never come back to this dealership. I could also threaten to become vocal about this in online forums.

Any other suggestions? Does anyone have experience with this sort of thing?

Thanks!

[cderalow]

it'll really be at the dealer's discretion.

now that you point it out, my CR-V falls just outside the VIN range for that TSB...

heh

[blue06civicex]

imo you would have better luck being nice and acting like you want to be a repeat customer. if they think a good will repair on a tsb that is barely out of warrenty will make you a very likely repeat customer i think they would be more receptive. in my experiance a lot of people get turned off by the whole "if i dont get what i want ill throw a fit" deal.

[jwmacleo]

Oh yes, I'm planning on being nice initially--I'm not an unreasonable person. I suppose I'm just anticipating a 'no' when I ask about the goodwill consideration because I haven't been back to the dealer since I bought the car (I do most of the maintenance myself).

[cderalow]

Originally Posted by blue06civicex

imo you would have better luck being nice and acting like you want to be a repeat customer. if they think a good will repair on a tsb that is barely out of warrenty will make you a very likely repeat customer i think they would be more receptive. in my experiance a lot of people get turned off by the whole "if i dont get what i want ill throw a fit" deal.

15,000 miles is a bit out of warranty

[blue06civicex]

indeed

[johnsvmf]

I was driving to DC in a freezing rain when my 2007 Civic wipers decided to only work in high and would not park. I looked down at my odometer and it was at 35,980. I thought I was out of luck until I read this post. Even though my Odometer is near 37,000 I think my Honda dealer will honor the repair with this bulletin in hand. I will let you know how it goes.

Vinnie

[tim_g]

Hey guys,
Just wanted to let you know
I've experienced exactly the same problem as described in the TSB on top of the page. I have a 2008 civic EX-L which does not fall under the categories provided in TSB. So I took the car to a dealership and they said they'll fix it free of charge.

[MardiGras]

Originally Posted by tim_g

Hey guys,
Just wanted to let you know
I've experienced exactly the same problem as described in the TSB on top of the page. I have a 2008 civic EX-L which does not fall under the categories provided in TSB. So I took the car to a dealership and they said they'll fix it free of charge.

How many miles do you have? What month was the car built (when you open the driver's door, the month stamp will be on or near the sticker that indicates tire pressure)? Just curious 'cause I have an '08 EX built in April '08.

[tim_g]

Originally Posted by MardiGras

How many miles do you have? What month was the car built (when you open the driver's door, the month stamp will be on or near the sticker that indicates tire pressure)? Just curious 'cause I have an '08 EX built in April '08.

I have about 17K miles. The car was built in August 08. A visit to the dealership was quite unpleasant experience though. I had to wait for half a day to get a wiper motor replaced. And then after they gave me the car back the wipers still wouldn't park in the right place (they would do a whole cycle and then kinda start a second cycle (for a small moment) and then stop right there). So I pointed that out to a manager and the second time they returned the car the wiper would park lower but wouldn't cover the whole windshield area
Eventually, the 'main mechanic' or whatever came had a look at it and told me that my 'timer in the motor was screwed up' and he had to fix it. After he fixed it, it works flawless though
He also told that he had never seen this happening to civics, only accords.

Good luck with the replacement!

[lpcivic07]

so did any of you try to fix the problem ur selves or did you just take it in because im having the same problem with my 07 civic. the wipers work on all the settings but they stop where ever they want. im guessing its the timer but i just didnt kno if it was something that can be done on my own.

[BSonly]

i had the same problem. wipers wouldn't turn off and would stop after 8 wipes. it's been raining a good bit down here in Georgia so I didn't take it in. After a month passed it went back to normal. If it doesn't cost much for the motor, ill just replace it myself. im at 76k.

[csansom]

Originally Posted by jwmacleo

My problem is described very well by TSB #07-071).

I'm well outside of warranty and don't hold out much hope of a 'Goodwill' adjustment from Honda on this. Not that buying a $60 wiper motor and installing it myself is a big deal.

BUT....

Have they further researched this issue and discovered it's really not the motor failing? The newest version of the TSB (which supercedes the one quoted above) says it's the $5 COVER PLATE on the wiper motor that has failed?

Anyone have any personal experience that this really will fix the problem by simply replacing the COVER PLATE?



Chris

[CraigW]

The constant running/not stopping in correct position problem is do to the park switch inside the motor has failed.

The cover plate was added later,water was likely getting in and causing damage is my guess.

You will need both.

[csansom]

Originally Posted by CraigW

The constant running/not stopping in correct position problem is do to the park switch inside the motor has failed.

The cover plate was added later,water was likely getting in and causing damage is my guess.

You will need both.

Thankfully that was not the case. I was having the 'not stopping in correct position', and 'not stopping' problems. Replacing ONLY the cheap cover plate solved the issue!

[sneekix]

I am having the same problems with my wipers where they wont park properly and mostly simply not turn off. The main prob is that they wont turn off most of the time and when they do, they park in the wrong spot. The intermittent is bad but the hi/low soeeds work so this modification works fine for me. Instead of paying $165+ to have it fixed, i put a switch on the fuse for less than $7.

In a nutshell, i turned the fuse into a plug and looped an inline fuse with a switch in its place. This allows me to cut power to the entire wiper system, especially when they wont turn off. i just cut power when theyre in the right position.

[jayson]

Originally Posted by sneekix

I am having the same problems with my wipers where they wont park properly and mostly simply not turn off. The main prob is that they wont turn off most of the time and when they do, they park in the wrong spot. The intermittent is bad but the hi/low soeeds work so this modification works fine for me. Instead of paying $165+ to have it fixed, i put a switch on the fuse for less than $7.

In a nutshell, i turned the fuse into a plug and looped an inline fuse with a switch in its place. This allows me to cut power to the entire wiper system, especially when they wont turn off. i just cut power when theyre in the right position.

Well, that's one way to do it! I am experiencing the same issue. Not sure if it's the cover that needs replacing or the entire assembly.