Windshield Wiper Won't Work In Intermittent Mode

[MrBjorn]

Hi.

I just recently bought a Toyota Rav4, 2008.

One day it was raining, I turned on the windshield wipers.

When I trun on the intermittent mode of the wipers, the wiper runs ones and then stops completely.

I have tried every intermittent mode position and it won't run.

Every other mode of the windshield wiper switch work like it should.

Do I have to change the windshield wiper switch?

I tried looking for a intermittent relay or fuse, but can't find any in the cars manual.

Is there any relay or fuse I can check or does someone have any other Ideas of what could couse this?

Thanks!

Kind regards

Bjorn

Norway

[gjnorthall]

There isn't an intermediate fuse or relay - there's a circuit board built into the switch. Check the obvious such as the security of the connector at the switch but otherwise it's a new switch I'm afraid.

[Devon Aygo]

Where you say "When I trun on the intermittent mode of the wipers, the wiper runs ones and then stops completely." this sounds very much like the correct function of a car fitted with auto wipers is the first position after OFF marked as INT or AUTO?

[MrBjorn]

Hi.

It's marked AUTO. But when it's raining outside and I tries to use the auto wipers function it never wipes, so I have to put in position slow wipe mode to get i to work. Actually when I think about it now it could be the rain sensor that not working. I just ordered a ODB Diagnostic tool, maybe this will tell me whats the problem with the rain sensor, or maybe I have to buy a new one.

[MrBjorn]

I just found this: http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/133214-rav-4-rain-sensor/

I will try to unplug the sensor maybe it will deactivate the AUTO function.

[high10]

Before you start buying new bits ....

Have you tried rotating the 'collar' on the stalk switch - it's marked "INT" in your photo above but probably marked "AUTO" in your Rav. It adjusts the sensitivity of the auto wipers - ie how much rain on the screen is needed before the wipers sweep.

In the position shown in your photo (at the thin end of the bars), I find I need a lot of rain on the screen before the wipers sweep. Rotate the collar away from the driver, and they sweep much sooner before there is an unacceptable amount of rain on the screen.

Might also be worth checking the windscreen glass is clean in the area of the sensor which is behind the rear view mirror I believe.

Hope this helps ....

[bmscbruc]

I have just bought a Rav4 and had exactly the same problem. By removing the sensor from the windshield and wiping it (with power on and wipers set to auto), the blades would sweep so i knew the sensor was ok. It turned out that the windshield had been replaced and there should have been a silicone pad between the rain sensor and the windshield but this wasn't there. I have since bought a new silicone pad and the auto wipers now work. Removing the sensor allowed the intermittent wipers to work.