1.6 Ti Petrol Mk2. If I move the wiper stalk to the intermittent position the wipers will sweep once and then stop. If I move the delay control wheel a notch up nothing happens. When I have the control wheel in the all the way to the top (shortest interval) position then when I move it down it will make the wipers sweep once. Basically any down movement on the control wheel will cause this  but not up.

If I  leave it on intermittent then occasionally the wipers will activate crazy fast for a few seconds and then stop (even if dry).

I assume the control on the stalk is faulty but before I look at replacing it wondered if it may be a relay or rain sensor issue (Is there a rain sensor?).

First thing is to check whether or not you have a rain sensor.  Do you have auto lights?  If yes, then you'll also have auto wipers, they come as a pack and use the same windscreen sensor on the Mk2.

Thanks @TomsFocus. Yes, I have auto lights.

1 hour ago, tim091 said:

Thanks @TomsFocus. Yes, I have auto lights.

Thanks.  There is no 'intermittent' in that case.  One notch up is 'automatic'.  Should give one sweep and then stop if dry, until it starts raining.  Sometimes the angle of the sun hits the sensor which can cause a brief crazy wipe when dry.

Do they work ok on auto setting in the rain?  If not, rain sensor would be the first thing to check.  Usually just needs a new gel pad to make sure it's in full contact with the screen.

Yes, you have auto wipers, each time you adjust sensitivity they sweep.

Ensure the blades are in good condition/as new as poss as poor blades cause crazy wipes, as does condensation

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Thanks.  There is no 'intermittent' in that case.  One notch up is 'automatic'.  Should give one sweep and then stop if dry, until it starts raining.  Sometimes the angle of the sun hits the sensor which can cause a brief crazy wipe when dry.

Do they work ok on auto setting in the rain?  If not, rain sensor would be the first thing to check.  Usually just needs a new gel pad to make sure it's in full contact with the screen.

I'm confused then! What is the purpose of the graduated wheel on the stalk? 

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Do they work ok on auto setting in the rain?  If not, rain sensor would be the first thing to check.  Usually just needs a new gel pad to make sure it's in full contact with the screen.

No, that is what I mean. It starts raining so I click the stalk to the first notch up. This means the wipers run once, no matter how hard the rain is. I have to fiddle with the little wheel (turning it down) to make the sweep one more time, and again to make them sweep one more time etc.

Have a look at the rain sensor on your screen.

If it is clear and clean and you can see it well then change the wiper blades and set your sensitivity to one notch from the top

If the sensor has gone white and is not see through, you need to replace the sensor

6 minutes ago, tim091 said:

I'm confused then! What is the purpose of the graduated wheel on the stalk? 

This adjusts the sensitivity of the sensor, all the way to the bottom and it will hardly wipe, all the way to the top and it will wipe if a fly piddles above you

Thanks @DaveT70 I will check.

Cheers all for the info.

I’ve found with my rain sensing wipers that sometimes they don’t adjust to the level of rain and just sweep every 7 seconds or so. Think something locks up in the GEM/BCM as it can sort itself after turning ignition off and on or doing a module reset if I’ve had Elmconfig connected.

Will take a look at the sensor some time just to see what it looks like in case it’s gone cloudy.