Wiper arms thumping down into park

[bobfather]

I've noticed that my wiper arms frequently thump down into park.  They work reasonably correctly and quietly when working in heavy rain but when responding to small amounts of rain using auto-wipe and when I wash or flick to manually wipe or wash they don't always stop in the intermediate park position, instead they go all the way down and sound like they are hitting the scuttle with a bang.

Is this normal? do other owners experience this?

It's a 2019 ST-Line if that makes any difference

[Trent Edge]

Happens occasionally on mine. Haven't noticed it in a while though

[simonb65]

The wipers on the EDGE are not typical mechanical motors, cams and connecting rods like old cars used to be. They use stepper motors with internal position sensors. Both wipers are also completely independent and are sequenced by an ECU. This is the reason why you can just move them when the ignition is off (really handy for cleaning and changing the blades!).

It maybe that the wiper arms are not fitted to the correct drive spine on the motor and are naturally sitting too low. It maybe that the position sensor is not aligned. If it thumps into the park position most of the time, I would get the dealer to check the alignment and park position.

According to the service manual there should be alignment marks on the windscreen (for the tips of the blades) when in the park position.

[simonb65]

Alignment marks for the blades (pax lower blade moved out of the way so I could get the camera in there!) ...

 

 

[bobfather]

Thanks @simonb65  I'll check where they are sitting when there's daylight out there.  I had this wiper system on my previous car (Kuga) so I'm familiar with it.  Wipers on that car performed flawlessly for 3 years and 30k miles.  As you suggest, I'll be asking the dealer to sort it but it's worth knowing the fault prior to asking them for help.

[Fergieman]

Sometimes in fast mode mine can tip the near side pillar, as above will get the garage to check it out at next service which is coming round fast.

[bobfather]

I had my wiper arms adjusted back to the windscreen marks by my Ford Dealer under warranty this morning and all appears okay now

[simonb65]

For anyone arriving on this forum topic with wiper alignment issues, here is the service manual topic that covers adjustment ...

 

Windshield Wiper Pivot Arm.pdf

[Edge of Reason]

5 hours ago, simonb65 said:

For anyone arriving on this forum topic with wiper alignment issues, here is the service manual topic that covers adjustment ...

 

Windshield Wiper Pivot Arm.pdf 555.7 kB · 7 downloads

Is that for left hand drive models ?  The Wiper Blades appear to be in the wrong order.

[simonb65]

6 hours ago, Edge of Reason said:

Is that for left hand drive models ?  The wiper blades appear to be in the wrong order.

It's from a US (LHD) model .. but it gives you the basic idea and steps required!