Now I have got the '96 2.3 FPT auto on the road, the oddities are coming out. First, with the weather this week, is the wiper operation. It works fine on normal and high speed. On intermittent it seems OK at first, then after about 5 minutes they go to normal speed - and cannot be turned off! Switching to 'off' does nothing, and they will work in normal and high speed but will still work when returned to the off position. The only way I can stop them is to put the lever in off and operate the wash/wipe. They then do their 5 wipes and stop. Is this a dodgy relay somewhere (I am still waiting for the later manual to be delivered)?

You may find this link useful...

http://townsendimports.com/Web/electrical_...iper_wiring.htm (http://townsendimports.com/Web/electrical_system_folder/9kwiper_wiring.htm)

Certainly sounds like a sticking relay to me. I had something similar on our classic 900 where the rear wiper worked on its own before eventually deciding to switch off. Turned out to be the relay. A quick clean sorted it.

Not sure where (in the engine compartment) the relays are on the 9000, but it should show somewhere which one it is (on the box lid?). Find it and open it up and have a look. You may be able the clean the contacts.

Presumably the wipers switch off when used in normal, i.e. turn off during a wipe and they complete the wipe before stopping in the 'parked' position. If not then it could be the contacts in the wiper-motor itself which need a clean.

It sounds a bit stupid I know but the drivers side headlamp wiper often causes strange behaviour with the wipers. Mine started off by randomly switching the wipers on and off or once I had started the wipers I could no longer turn them off. After a couple of days the wipers were just permanantly on and I had to pull the fuse to stop them. Try unplugging the headlamp wipers and see if that cures the problem. Its a bit tight but you can get to the connector without removing the headlamp if you have inspector gadget hands.

Thanks for the suggestions. I have noticed that the headlamp wipers are not working so will check if they are disconnected or not.

It sounds a bit stupid I know but the drivers side headlamp wiper often causes strange behaviour with the wipers. Mine started off by randomly switching the wipers on and off or once I had started the wipers I could no longer turn them off. After a couple of days the wipers were just permanantly on and I had to pull the fuse to stop them. Try unplugging the headlamp wipers and see if that cures the problem. Its a bit tight but you can get to the connector without removing the headlamp if you have inspector gadget hands.[/b]

You could try pulling the fuse for these as a temporary test/measure. Problem is that when you pull this fuse the horn won't work. But if pulling the fuse works then unplugging the headlight wipers will work. Don't forget to put the fuse back! Number 7 springs to mind but I'm not sure.