Winter Wiper Safety Function

[Signum7060]

When I owned my last Signum, I noticed that the wipers wouldn't automatically return to thier 'rest' position when the temperature dropped below zero. I had the car checked at my not-very-helpful dealer who informed me that there was no fault found.

I'm now on my 2nd Signum, and I've noticed the exact same thing happens with this car too. I have to manually hold the wiper column stalk down until the wipers reach the bottom of the screen. However, I've since learned that this is a safety feature on the Signum (and I should imagine the Vectra C) that stops the wiper linkages/motors from getting damaged in sub-zero temperatures, such as when the windscreen is covered in ice or snow. This sound plausible to me and explains why both cars did exactly the same thing. If this is the case, then this is a neat safety function. Just a shame that Vauxhall didn't go one step further and fit heater washer jets as standard - but that's another issue!

I remember seeing cars in winter with wipers stuck half way across the widscreen because drivers tried to clear ice and snow whilst their wipers were unable to do so, therefore damaging the linkages/motors etc.

With the temp dropping to -4 degrees this morning, has anyone else noticed this function on their car?

[DeeBe]

I have not. I used my wipers this morning and no such function exists on my car :S

[Sigmacca]

Never noticed this either, have a Signum Elite with heated jet nozzels

[gilbern]

My 07 Vectra has been doing the same.
Tried it this morning when it was covered in frost and wipers would not go, turn on heated rear window and the fast screen clear button, then the wipers would go ,only when I was holding the stalk in the fast position, and would not park had to guess the stopping position!.
I have suspected a issue with the wipers and thought that it may be a software safety de-fault .

Just gone and tried it after leaving the car for 10 minutes all working OK!

Car temperature indicates it is 2 degrees

[kenp]

Never happend on mine.. even when ive been in more than minus 20 degrees

[byebyeitsagsi]

Ive had 2 vectras a 53 reg and an 09 and neither done it.

[Signum7060]

I've since also noticed that if your windscreen washers are frozen when you go to flick your wiper stalk to spray the windscreen, the wipers will not activate unless you manually press the wiper stalk downwards. This means that your windscreen doesn't end up smeared in dirt when there's no screenwash coming out of the jets. Cool!

[Signum7060]

My 07 Vectra has been doing the same...

I'd be interested in knowing if it's a facelift upgrade feature, or if it's model specific (ie, Design/Elite models, or models fitted with Nav etc?). I've just spoken to a mate of mine who also has an 07 plate Signum Design CDTi and his wipers went into safety mode this morning too.

[Ziggy]

My 04 didn't but 07 does

[gibbon7000]

I'm on my second Signum Design spec, both facelifts and I can't think that i've ever noticed the 2 things that you mention.