I own an X registered 2000 Alpha Romeo 156, when the wipers are on the intermitant setting the motor does not appear to have the strength to move the blades across the screen + on the normal setting when switched off the blade's do not return to the finishing position.

I've read a number of articles which tell me to remove the motor and clean it, but to be honest I'm a bit thick and whilst I've removed the motor and all the bits attached to it I'm not sure what I should be cleaning and how !

Can anybody help ?

Steven Merry, May 2008

Inside the wiper motor there will be whats called a 'limit switch' - this device allows the motor to self park even after you have switched them off and it could well be faulty. You wont do any harm by taking the motor apart - after all you have nothing to lose - and see that the brushes are in good condition. See that there is plenty of grease in the gearbox, too, and test the motor on the car before reconnecting the linkages, etc.

John, May 2008