Windshield wipers (wiper blades) are designed to keep your windshield and rear windows properly clean. In good condition, with the support of washers, they can easily cope with dirt, snow and water. But if the wipers stop working, it is not recommended to continue driving in bad weather conditions. Your safety depends on it. It's better to stop and try to repair them.
In this article we will talk about why the wipers on the VAZ-2109 do not work. We will look at the main causes of this problem, as well as how to fix it.
How does a windshield wiper work?
At the front end of the electric motor rotor, a worm is cut, which engages and drives the main gear of the gearbox. When the windshield wiper is turned on, voltage from the vehicle's on-board circuit is supplied to the electric motor. At the same time, its shaft begins to rotate, driving the gearbox. He, in turn, moves the levers, the ends of which are brought to the surface of the underhood panel of the body and connected to the wiper housings. One of the ends of the gearbox shaft is equipped with a special cam that controls the moving contact for stopping the wipers in the extreme position.
Wiper control
The windshield wiper is controlled using a special switch mounted on the steering column of the car. With its help, the wipers not only turn on and off, but can also operate in different modes. This allows you to adjust the speed of the windshield wiper blades depending on weather conditions. VAZ-2109 cars have three modes:
- intermittent;
- constant with low speed of movement of the wipers;
- constant with high speed of movement of the wipers.
It often happens that the wipers on a VAZ-2109 do not work in only one of the modes, so it is important to know not only the design features of the windshield wiper, but also the mechanism for controlling its operation.
The intermittent operation mode of the wipers is activated in the first (working) and second positions of the switch lever. Its operation is ensured by relay type 526.3747. It is located in the vehicle’s mounting block and is designated on the electronic circuit as “K3”. This relay also turns on the wipers when the windshield and rear window washers are activated.
In the third position, the purifier operates in constant mode at low speed. To switch to constant operation of the wipers at high speed, a fourth position of the lever is provided.
Dismantling and assembling windshield wipers
The windshield wiper must be moved so that its motor is located in a large part of the compartment located in front of the windshield. Next, the main mechanism rotates and its motor is removed from the compartment. The wiper moves towards the corresponding block with fuses and relays. After dismantling it, the nut securing the wiper mechanism is unscrewed. To remove the last unit and the crank from the shaft, use a flat-head screwdriver.
Then the bolts securing the wiper gear with the electric motor are unscrewed. At this stage, it is recommended to unscrew the two screws securing the motor wires. Then disconnect the wiring from the fuse and remove:
- motor from bracket;
- retaining ring;
- adjusting type washers.
It is recommended to label the last parts. This will allow you to quickly and correctly install them in place. The next step involves removing the three screws that secure the gearbox cover. When disassembling the last unit, the adjusting screw must not be unscrewed. Otherwise, the axial clearance of the armature shaft will be disrupted.
Symptoms of a problem
To understand the breakdown of the windshield wiper, let's look at what signs it may have.
Symptoms of a malfunction may be the following:
- when turned on, the device does not react at all (the relay does not click, the electric motor does not work);
- the relay is triggered, but the electric motor does not turn on;
- both the relay and motor work, but the brushes do not move or move in the wrong direction;
- The intermittent mode of the VAZ-2109 wipers does not work;
- the electric motor does not stop in intermittent mode;
- The wipers are slow.
Now let’s look at each of the signs separately in the context of probable malfunctions and ways to eliminate them.
Common problems with front wipers
Even the old wipers in the VAZ-2109 model are made so well that they can ensure long-term stable operation. Of course, if you look after them well and avoid unfavorable situations. There can be many reasons for breakdowns and their manifestations, but there is no need to despair or get confused ahead of time. Sometimes repairing windshield wipers can be quite simple.
What in the mechanism may not work correctly:
- wipers move erratically or slowly;
- spontaneous switching occurs or shutdown does not work;
- the mode switch or some of its options are broken;
- the washer is faulty, or the brushes themselves do not move during its operation;
- the gear motor is broken or only it works out of the entire mechanism;
- The wipers do not clean the glass well.
The last point may mean that the glass just needs to be washed and degreased, but other damage can be more difficult to fix. Although with old models anything can happen: the wipers can work if you just push them with your hand.
The windshield wiper does not respond to turning on or switching modes
If you are trying to turn on the windshield wiper, but the wipers on your VAZ-2109 do not work, and when you switch the lever you do not hear the relay clicks or the sound of the electric motor running, the reason may lie either in the switch, or in the relay, or in the fuses.
In this case, you must first check the integrity of the wiper fuse. It is located in the mounting block and is designated F5. You can check it using a multimeter turned on in tester mode. Next we move on to the bimetallic fuse installed in the purifier gearbox. If the wipers on a VAZ-2109 stop working in winter, this may be the reason. This fuse was equipped with the latest modifications of the “nines”. Its role is to protect the wiper motor from overheating in cases where the brushes freeze to the glass. You can check it with the same multimeter turned on in tester mode.
Next we move on to the relay. As already mentioned, it is located in the mounting block and is designated as “K3”. We find the relay, remove it from its seat, and put a known-good breaker in its place. Checking the operation of the windshield wiper. If it works, we buy a new relay. If everything remains unchanged, we continue troubleshooting.
As for the switch itself, it is very difficult to check its performance on your own. It has a rather complex design, so it is also easier to replace it with a known worker than to try to repair it. By the way, if the wipers and turn signals of the VAZ-2109 do not work, you can be sure that the problem is in the steering column switch.
Removing wipers
If the front wipers malfunction, you must first disassemble the mechanism in order to identify the part that has become unusable. To do this, perform the following actions:
- The first thing you need to do is turn off the power to the Lada. To do this, remove the negative terminal from the battery.
- Place the windshield wiper blades in a vertical position. Then we remove it, not forgetting to unscrew the nuts.
- Using pliers or a similar tool, carefully pull the levers off the slots, then remove the protective caps from them.
- Unscrew the nuts securing the bracket and remove them along with the washers.
- In the engine compartment we find a group of wires with a block. The wires are responsible for powering the windshield wiper system. To turn it off, just lift the latch.
- You need to unscrew the screws holding the heater fan. It will interfere with removing the device, and it is better not to skip this step.
- We open the mounting block and remove all existing relays, otherwise they will also cause inconvenience in the future.
- You need to unscrew the bottom bolt of the wiper bracket.
- We take out the plastic wire holder through the resulting hole.
- Finally, you need to remove the wiper rollers, then lift and slightly move the windshield wiper along with the engine.
- We remove the node.
During dismantling, you should remember the position of the component parts of the device so that when you reinstall it, you can return everything to its place. It seems like a small thing, but cars stay on the move thanks to little things.
The relay is activated, but the motor does not start
Having discovered such a sign, we can assume that one of the above-mentioned fuses or the electric motor itself has failed. We check the fuses with a multimeter. If everything is in order with them, open the hood and inspect the trapezoid for deformation or the presence of a foreign object in the structure. In winter, it is possible for the wiper blades to freeze to the windshield. This phenomenon is accompanied by similar symptoms, so if the VAZ-2109’s wipers do not work in frosty weather, first check their condition.
If the trapezoid is in working condition and the wiper blades are movable, you will have to remove the electric motor for diagnostics. To completely eliminate other malfunctions, after dismantling the electric motor, connect it directly to the battery terminals. If it works, look for the cause in the electrical circuit; if not, contact an auto electrician.
Troubleshooting methods
If the wipers on a VAZ 2109 do not work, then you can detect and fix the breakdown yourself.
The renovation is taking place in stages:
- first the assembly is disassembled;
- then faults are identified;
- then repair or replacement of faulty parts is carried out;
- At the final stage, the assembly of the unit is performed.
Dismantling consists of the following sequence of actions:
- First of all, you need to de-energize the car by removing the negative terminal from the battery.
- Next, the brush arms are installed in a vertical position, then the fastening nuts are unscrewed. Now they can be removed.
- Armed with pliers, we pull the levers off the slots, trying not to damage the threads.
- The plastic protective caps are removed from the slots.
- Then you need to unscrew the nuts securing the bracket and you can remove them along with the washers that are located under them.
- Next, in the engine compartment, you need to disconnect the wiring block that serves for power supply.
- At the next stage, it is necessary to move the heater fan so that it does not interfere with removing the mechanism. To do this, unscrew the fastening screws.
- We remove the cover from the mounting block and dismantle all the relays located in it, since they will interfere with further work.
- Unscrew the lower bolt securing the purifier bracket.
- Then we remove the plastic wire holder through the gap in the body and remove it so as not to lose it.
- We remove the device rollers through the holes in the body. Then, slightly lifting and moving the windshield wiper with the motor up and to the side, remove the assembly.
Next, the mechanism is completely disassembled. A visual inspection of all parts is carried out, including the wipers of the VAZ 2109. A broken brush can be replaced, but it is better to change both. If mechanical damage is detected or parts are severely worn, they need to be replaced.
After all faults have been detected and eliminated, we reassemble the unit in the reverse order and install it in its original place. After the repair, it is necessary to connect the negative terminal on the battery and check the operation of the windshield wiper.
In this way, repairs and modifications to the VAZ 21099 glass cleaner are carried out with your own hands. The process is long and tedious, but can be done independently. This will make it possible to save money on expensive repairs at a service station.
Electric motor does not stop in intermittent mode
Intermittent mode differs from the others in that at the end of each cycle the wipers stop in the starting position. This is achieved due to the movement of the cam located at the rear end of the gearbox shaft. It closes and opens the moving contact of the windshield wiper limit switch. Irregularities in the operation of wipers in intermittent mode are usually associated with a malfunction: wear, damage. The problem may also be in the switch plate or its contacts.
You can easily replace the cam yourself. As for the plate and contacts, if necessary, you just need to bend them.
The wipers on the VAZ-2109 work slowly
The reasons for reducing the speed of brush movement are:
- low air temperature;
- wear (licking) of the splines connecting the levers and wiper housings;
- problems with the electric motor.
In the first case, the wipers may move more slowly than usual due to the grease solidifying on the gearbox gears. As a rule, when the car warms up, this problem disappears.
When the spline joint wears out, the brushes can also move more slowly due to the rotation of the lever tips in their seats. This problem is solved by replacing worn elements.
If these measures do not bring the desired result, we remove the electric motor and send it for repair.
Repair
To troubleshoot problems with the wipers on your VAZ 2109, it is not at all necessary to contact a service station. The work can be done with your own hands, saving a decent amount of money.
Repair consists of performing several operations:
- Disassembling the unit;
- Troubleshooting;
- Eliminating the causes of purifier failures;
- Reassembly.
Dismantling
The first step is to learn how to remove windshield wipers. This will give you access to the device and all its components.
It is enough to follow the specified sequence of actions and first familiarize yourself with the wiper diagram in order to do everything correctly.
Scheme
- First, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to de-energize the car.
- Remove the brush arms by moving them to a vertical position and unscrewing the fastening nuts. Unscrew the nuts carefully so as not to push the lever out. Otherwise, under the action of the spring, it will fly into the glass and break it.
- By unscrewing the fasteners, the levers can be removed. It is not always possible to do this manually, so arm yourself with pliers. Be careful not to damage the threaded area. To avoid this, screw the nut back onto the splines, but not completely.
- Remove the protective caps made of plastic from the slots on each side.
- Unscrew the upper mounting nuts with the bracket and remove them. Under them there are rubber washers, which are also dismantled.
- Lift the hood and disconnect the wiring harness that powers the wiper motor.
- Unscrew the heater fan mounting screws and move it slightly to the side. This way, when dismantling the purifier, it will not interfere with you.
- Remove the cover from the relay and fuse box. You need to remove not only the wiper relay, but also everything else. Otherwise, they will interfere with your further processes.
- Unscrew the lower fastening nut of the mechanism, remove the plastic holder of the wiring harness from the electric motor from the hole in the car body. Now you can remove the holder so that it does not get lost during the repair.
- All that remains is to push the mechanism roller inside, then lift the electric motor and the windshield wiper mechanism slightly up and to the side. This way you can easily remove the node.
After completely disassembling the unit, you can check the condition of each wiper mechanism and determine the cause of any malfunctions.
Device
Checking the status of elements
By disassembling the design of the wipers on your VAZ 2109, you can identify the damaged components that led to the problem. We will tell you exactly how to find the culprits.
The rear wiper of the VAZ-2109 does not work
The VAZ-2109 has another wiper. It is located on the glass of the rear door and has an autonomous drive. The wiper is driven by a separate electric motor with a small gearbox. You can get to it from the inside of the door by removing its trim.
A malfunction of the rear wiper can also be associated with both problems with the switch and problems with the electric motor itself. Most often it stops working:
- due to a violation of normal contact in the connector;
- rupture of the supply wire;
- breakdown of the electric motor or its gearbox.
