I have a mysterious phenomenon in my 2007 HSE. The front wipers suddenly stops working while I'm driving and the only way to get them to work again is to stop the car, lock and unlock it with the remote key. Sadly it only works for a couple of minutes and then they're dead again. Does anyone have any idea what could possibly cause this problem?

I wonder if the motor is taking a higher current than normal and some automatic cutout is coming on? Does it happen on all settings (auto, manual, fast etc)? Might be worth an experiment to pull the wipers away from the windscreen to reduce the load and see if that makes a difference.
Alternatively is there a problem with the wiper stalk? I had a similar problem that affected my rear wiper which required the stalk to be replaced. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

It happens no matter what setting is used. Rear wiper works fine and so does the front and rear washer. I pulled the wipers away but they still stopped after a minute or so.

But lock/unlock may have nothing to do with it as that doesn't work every time either now.

Maybe check fuse for wipers is clean and dry ?

Thanks, I tried that too but it didn't help.

When it stops, is it in the parked position? If it does then it must tell us something (like there is still power to the motor to get to the parking switch). is it possible to get the motor out easily?
I suppose you have done the big reset (battery disconnect, touch leads together for 30 seconds etc).

I once had a fault with my air con where, after the car was parked up for a couple of weeks in the cold the fan wouldn't start. The dealer said to do a reset for anything like this, fortunately it started coming to life again and after an hour or so all was well. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Could it be that one of the shafts is binding in the bush?

It is a common problem on the rear wiper on X-Type Jaguars, it works for a few wipes then the heat generated by the friction seizes the shaft to the bush, which then releases when it all cools down.

Have you tried a cold reset it sometimes fixes a lot of problems. Understeer when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower how fast you hit the wall.
Torque how far you take the wall with you.

Still Lost in France wrote:

Could it be that one of the shafts is binding in the bush?

It is a common problem on the rear wiper on X-Type Jaguars, it works for a few wipes then the heat generated by the friction seizes the shaft to the bush, which then releases when it all cools down.

dorsetfreelander wrote:

When it stops, is it in the parked position? If it does then it must tell us something (like there is still power to the motor to get to the parking switch). is it possible to get the motor out easily?
I suppose you have done the big reset (battery disconnect, touch leads together for 30 seconds etc).

I once had a fault with my air con where, after the car was parked up for a couple of weeks in the cold the fan wouldn't start. The dealer said to do a reset for anything like this, fortunately it started coming to life again and after an hour or so all was well.

vrpoffset wrote:

I'm starting to think that this is the most likely explanation. Wehn I leave the car over night or just for an hour or so, the wipers work again ( but only for a few minutes).I suppose replacing the motor is the only option?

I had this when the car was a couple of years old but my wipers stopped in the middle of the screen.

LR replaced the motor under warranty and no problems since. FL2 HSE Auto Galway Green
Evoque SD4 Auto Blue.
FL1 HSE TD4 Manual Black - Gone.
RR Classic V8 EFI - Gone

Start simple

Disconnect the negative lead to the battery so that you don't short something out.

Then check the fuse and relays (engine compartment next to the battery)

First switch the Pink fuse with the red box with the pink fuse with the blue box

Then switch the black relay with the red box with the black relay with the blue box (do this for both black relays)

Then reconnect the negative lead for the battery.

If you switch the fuse and relay with the red box for the fuse and relay with the blue box then you can determine if you have a relay or fuse problem.

If nothing changes then it is unlikely that its a fuse or relay problem

If it was me this is the first thing that I would do.

Click image to enlarge