2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER Service Repair Manual

evenly over the wiper pivot shaft. Gently lower the
wiper arm until the wiper blade rests on the glass.
(3) Install and tighten the nut that secures the
wiper arm to the wiper pivot shaft. Tighten the nut
to 24 N´m (18 ft. lbs.).
(4) Wet the windshield glass, then operate the wip-
ers. Move the right (wiper) control stalk of the multi-
function switch to the Off position, then check for the
correct wiper arm position and readjust as required.
(5) Engage the pivot cover with the wiper arm
hinge pin, then push the pivot end of the cover down
firmly and evenly until it snaps over the wiper blade
pivot end.
(6) Reconnect the washer nozzle hose to the elbow
fitting on the cowl top panel near the pivot end of the
wiper arm.
WIPER BLADE
DESCRIPTION
Each wiper blade is secured by an integral latching
pivot block to the hook formation on the tip of the
wiper arm, and rests on the glass near the base of
the windshield when the wipers are not in operation
(Fig. 18). The wiper blade consists of the following
components:
²Superstructure- The superstructure includes
several stamped steel bridges and links with claw
formations that grip the wiper blade element. Also
included in this unit is the latching, molded plastic
pivot block that secures the superstructure to the
wiper arm. All of the metal components of the wiper
blade have a satin black finish applied.
²Element- The wiper element or squeegee is the
resilient rubber member of the wiper blade that con-
tacts the glass.²Flexor- The flexor is a rigid metal component
running along the length of the wiper element on
each side, where it is gripped by the claws of the
superstructure.
All Sprinter models have unequal length wiper
blades with non-replaceable rubber elements (squee-
gees). The left (driver) side wiper blade is 60.0 centi-
meters (23.5 inches), and the right (passenger) side
wiper blade is 55.0 centimeter (21.5 inches). These
wiper blades also include an anti-lift feature. The
wiper blades cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty,
worn, or damaged the entire wiper blade unit must
be replaced.
OPERATION
The wiper blades are moved back and forth across
the glass by the wiper arms when the wipers are
being operated. The wiper blade superstructure is
the flexible frame that grips the wiper blade element
and evenly distributes the force of the spring-loaded
wiper arm along the length of the element. The com-
bination of the wiper arm force and the flexibility of
the superstructure makes the element conform to
and maintain proper contact with the glass, even as
the blade is moved over the varied curvature that
may be encountered across the glass surface. The
wiper element flexor provides the claws of the blade
superstructure with a rigid, yet flexible component
on the element which can be gripped. The rubber ele-
ment is designed to be stiff enough to maintain an
even cleaning edge as it is drawn across the glass,
but resilient enough to conform to the glass surface
and flip from one cleaning edge to the other each
time the wiper blade changes directions.
Fig. 18 Wiper Blade
1 - PIVOT BLOCK 4 - FLEXOR
2 - SUPERSTRUCTURE 5 - ELEMENT
3 - CLAWS 6 - PIVOT PIN
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 15
WIPER ARM (Continued)

REMOVAL
NOTE: The wiper arms and wiper blades for this
model are both unequal in length, with the longer
arm and blade being installed on the left (driver)
side of the windshield.
(1) Turn the wiper control knob on the end of the
multi-function switch control stalk to the On posi-
tion. Cycle the wiper blades to a convenient working
location on the windshield by turning the ignition
switch to the On and Off positions.
(2) Lift the wiper arm to raise the wiper blade and
element off of the glass, until the wiper arm hinge is
in its over-center position.
(3) To remove the wiper blade from the wiper arm,
depress the pivot block latch release tab under the
tip of the arm and slide the blade away from the tip
towards the pivot end of the arm far enough to dis-
engage the pivot block from the hook formation on
the end of the arm (Fig. 19).
(4) Extract the hook formation on the tip of the
wiper arm from the opening in the wiper blade
superstructure ahead of the wiper blade pivot block/
latch unit.
CAUTION: Do not allow the wiper arm to spring
back against the glass without the wiper blade in
place or the glass may be damaged.
(5) Gently lower the wiper arm tip onto the glass.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: The wiper arms and wiper blades for this
model are both unequal in length, with the longer
arm and blade being installed on the left (driver)
side of the windshield.(1) Lift the wiper arm off of the windshield glass,
until the wiper arm hinge is in its over-center posi-
tion.
(2) Position the wiper blade near the hook forma-
tion on the tip of the arm.
(3) Insert the hook formation on the tip of the
wiper arm through the opening in the wiper blade
superstructure ahead of the wiper blade pivot block/
latch unit far enough to engage the pivot block with
the hook (Fig. 19).
(4) Slide the wiper blade pivot block/latch up into
the hook formation on the tip of the wiper arm until
the latch release tab snaps into its locked position.
Latch engagement will be accompanied by an audible
click.
(5) Gently lower the wiper blade onto the glass.
Fig. 19 Wiper Blade Remove/Install
1 - HOOK
2 - WIPER BLADE
3 - WIPER ARM
4 - RELEASE TAB
8R - 16 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WIPER BLADE (Continued)

WIPER LINKAGE
DESCRIPTION
The wiper linkage and pivots are concealed within
the engine compartment below the cowl top panel
(Fig. 20). The ends of the wiper pivot shafts that pro-
trude through dedicated openings in the cowl top
panel to drive the wiper arms and blades are the
only visible components of the wiper linkage module.
The wiper linkage module consists of the following
major components:
²Linkage- The two wiper drive links are each
constructed of stamped steel. The left (driver) side
drive link has a plastic socket-type bushing in one
end, and a plastic sleeve-type bushing in the other
end. The socket bushing is snap-fit over the ball stud
on the left pivot crank arm, while the sleeve bushing
is fit over the longer ball stud on the wiper motor
crank arm. The right (passenger) side drive link has
a plastic socket-type bushing on each end. One end of
this drive link is snap-fit over the exposed end of the
longer ball stud on the wiper motor crank arm and
captures the sleeve bushing end of the left drive link
beneath it, while the other end is snap-fit over the
ball stud on the right pivot crank arm.
²Module Bracket- The linkage module bracket
consists of a long tubular steel main member that is
crimped to a molded plastic pivot bracket at each end
where the wiper pivots are secured. A stamped steel
mounting plate for the wiper motor is secured with
welds near the center of the main member and is
then secured with screws to the underside of the cowl
top panel.
²Motor Crank Arm- The wiper motor crank
arm is a stamped steel unit with a round hole on the
driven end that is secured to the wiper motor outputshaft with a nut, and a long ball stud secured to the
drive end.
²Pivot- The two molded plastic wiper pivot
brackets are secured to the ends of the linkage mod-
ule bracket tubular member. The crank arms that
extend from the bottom of the pivot shafts each have
a ball stud on their end. The upper end of each pivot
shaft where the wiper arms will be fastened each is
tapered and externally serrated with a threaded stud
at the top where the wiper arms are secured by a
nut. Each pivot shaft operates within a housing
formed in the pivot bracket featuring a large external
flange near its center and external threads near the
top. The pivot housings are secured to the outer sur-
face of the cowl top panel by a large washer and a
nut threaded onto the outside of the housing where it
protrudes through the cowl top.
The wiper linkage module cannot be adjusted or
repaired. If any component of the linkage module is
faulty or damaged, the entire wiper linkage module
unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The wiper linkage operation is controlled by the
output of the wiper motor through the wiper motor
crank arm. The wiper motor crank arm, the two
wiper drive links, and the two wiper pivots mechan-
ically convert the rotary output of the wiper motor to
the back and forth wiping motion of the wiper arms
and blades on the glass.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the wiper arms from the wiper pivots.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/
WIPER ARM - REMOVAL).
Fig. 20 Wiper Linkage Module
1 - PIVOT SHAFT (2) 4 - PIVOT CRANK ARM (2)
2 - PIVOT SHAFT HOUSING (2) 5 - DRIVE LINK (2)
3 - MODULE BRACKET 6 - MOTOR CRANK ARM
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 17

(3) Remove the five nuts that secure the ventila-
tion housing to the dash panel and the underside of
the cowl top panel (Fig. 21).
(4) Pull the ventilation housing forward far enough
to disengage the housing from the studs on the dash
panel, then lower the housing until it rests on the
top of the engine.
(5) Disconnect the wiper motor pigtail wire connec-
tor from the vehicle wire harness connector.
(6) Remove the nut and washer that secures each
wiper pivot housing to the outside of the cowl top
panel (Fig. 22).(7) Remove the two screws that secure the wiper
linkage module motor bracket to the flange on the
underside of the cowl top panel.
(8) Remove the wiper linkage module and wiper
motor from the underside of the cowl top panel as a
unit.
(9) Remove the wiper motor from the wiper link-
age module. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/
WASHERS/WIPER MOTOR - REMOVAL).
INSTALLATION
(1) Reinstall the wiper motor onto the wiper link-
age module. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/
Fig. 21 Ventilation Housing
1 - NUT (5) 3 - CABIN FILTER HOUSING
2 - WASHER (5) 4 - VENTILATION HOUSING
Fig. 22 Wiper Linkage Module Remove/Install
1 - NUT & WASHER (2) 4 - COWL TOP PANEL
2 - PIVOT (2) 5 - MOTOR BRACKET
3 - SCREW (2)
8R - 18 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WIPER LINKAGE (Continued)

WASHERS/FRONT WIPER MOTOR -
INSTALLATION).
(2) Carefully position the wiper linkage module
and wiper motor to the underside of the cowl top
panel as a unit (Fig. 22).
(3) Install and tighten the two screws that secure
the wiper linkage module motor bracket to the flange
on the underside of the cowl top panel. Tighten the
screws to 6 N´m (50 in. lbs.).
(4) Install and tighten the nut and washer that
secures each wiper pivot housing to the outside of the
cowl top panel.
(5) Reconnect the wiper motor pigtail wire connec-
tor to the vehicle wire harness connector.
(6) Reinstall the ventilation housing onto the dash
panel and the underside of the cowl top panel (Fig.
21).
(7) Reinstall the wiper arms onto the wiper pivots.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/
WIPER ARM - INSTALLATION).
(8) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
WIPER MOTOR
DESCRIPTION
The wiper motor is secured with three screws to a
motor bracket integral to the wiper linkage module
bracket located below the cowl top panel in the
engine compartment (Fig. 23). The wiper motor out-
put shaft passes through a hole in the motor bracket,
where a nut secures the wiper motor crank arm to
the motor output shaft. The two-speed permanent
magnet wiper motor features an integral transmis-sion, an internal park switch, and an internal Posi-
tive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) circuit breaker.
The wiper motor cannot be adjusted or repaired. If
any component of the motor is faulty or damaged, the
entire wiper motor unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The wiper motor operation is controlled by the
vehicle operator through battery current inputs
received by the wiper motor from the wiper switch
circuitry of the multi-function switch on the top of
the steering column, and from the wiper relay on the
fuse block underneath the steering column. The
wiper motor speed is controlled by current flow to
either the low speed or the high speed set of brushes.
The automatic resetting circuit breaker protects the
motor from overloads.
The park switch consists of a contact disc and
three contacts. The contact disc is mechanically fas-
tened to and rotated with a gear in the wiper motor
transmission. Two input contacts alternately close
the wiper park switch sense output circuit contact to
ground or to battery current, depending upon the
position of the wipers on the glass. This feature
allows the intermittent wipe logic circuit to monitor
the position and the cycles of the wiper motor to pro-
vide the intermittent wipe and wipe-after-wash
modes, as well as allowing the motor to complete its
current wipe cycle after the wiper system has been
turned Off and park the wiper blades in the lowest
portion of the wipe pattern.
The wiper motor may be diagnosed using conven-
tional diagnostic tools and methods.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Disconnect the vehicle wire harness connector
for the wiper motor from the motor pigtail wire con-
nector (Fig. 24).
(3) Remove the nut that secures the motor crank
arm to the wiper motor output shaft.
(4) If this wiper motor is to be reinstalled, make
an index mark between the wiper motor output shaft
and the motor crank arm using a suitable marker.
(5) Disengage the motor crank arm from the wiper
motor output shaft.
(6) Remove the three screws that secure the wiper
motor to the wiper linkage module motor bracket.
(7) Remove the wiper motor from the wiper link-
age module motor bracket.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the wiper motor to the underside of
the wiper linkage module motor bracket (Fig. 24).
Fig. 23 Wiper Motor
1 - TRANSMISSION
2 - PIGTAIL WIRE
3 - MOTOR
4 - SCREW (3)
5 - OUTPUT SHAFT
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 19
WIPER LINKAGE (Continued)

(2) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the wiper motor to the wiper linkage module motor
bracket. Tighten the screws to 12 N´m (105 in. lbs.).
(3) If this wiper motor is being reinstalled, position
the motor crank arm on the wiper motor output shaft
so that the index marks made during the removal
procedure are aligned. If this is a new wiper motor
installation, the motor crank arm should be installed
so that it is pointed toward the left (driver) side of
the vehicle and parallel with the two wiper drive
links while both wiper blades are positioned on their
alignment marks near the lower edge of the wind-
shield glass.
(4) Install and tighten the nut that secures the
motor crank arm to the wiper motor output shaft.
Tighten the nut to 12 N´m (105 in. lbs.).
(5) Reconnect the vehicle wire harness connector
for the wiper motor to the motor pigtail wire connec-
tor.
(6) Reconnect the battery negative cable.WIPER RELAY
DESCRIPTION
A wiper relay is standard equipment on all models.
The wiper relay (or intermittent wipe relay) is
located in a dedicated receptacle on the bottom left of
the fuse block on the underside of the steering col-
umn (Fig. 25). The wiper relay is a conventional
International Standards Organization (ISO) micro
relay. Relays conforming to the ISO specifications
have common physical dimensions, current capaci-
ties, terminal patterns, and terminal functions. The
relay is contained within a small, rectangular,
molded plastic housing. The relay is connected to all
of the required inputs and outputs through the
instrument panel wire harness connector by five
male spade-type terminals that extend from the bot-
tom of the relay base. The ISO designation for each
terminal is molded into the base adjacent to the ter-
minal. The ISO terminal designations are as follows:
²30 (Common Feed)- This terminal is con-
nected to the movable contact point of the relay.
Fig. 24 Wiper Motor Remove/Install
1 - NUT 4 - PIGTAIL WIRE CONNECTOR
2 - LINK (2) 5 - WIPER MOTOR
3 - MOTOR CRANK ARM 6 - SCREW (3)
8R - 20 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WIPER MOTOR (Continued)

²85 (Coil Ground)- This terminal is connected
to the ground feed side of the relay control coil.
²86 (Coil Battery)- This terminal is connected
to the battery feed side of the relay control coil.
²87 (Normally Open)- This terminal is con-
nected to the normally open fixed contact point of the
relay.
²87A (Normally Closed)- This terminal is con-
nected to the normally closed fixed contact point of
the relay.
The wiper relay cannot be adjusted or repaired. If
the relay is damaged or faulty, it must be replaced.
OPERATION
The wiper relay (or intermittent wipe relay) is an
electromechanical switch that uses a low current
input from the intermittent wipe logic circuitry
within the fuse block underneath the steering column
to control a high current output to the low speed
brush of the wiper motor. The movable common feed
contact point is held against the fixed normally
closed contact point by spring pressure. When the
relay coil is energized, an electromagnetic field is
produced by the coil windings. This electromagnetic
field draws the movable relay contact point away
from the fixed normally closed contact point, and
holds it against the fixed normally open contact
point. When the relay coil is de-energized, spring
pressure returns the movable contact point back
against the fixed normally closed contact point. A
resistor or diode is connected in parallel with the
relay coil in the relay, and helps to dissipate voltage
spikes and electromagnetic interference that can be
generated as the electromagnetic field of the relay
coil collapses.The wiper relay terminals are connected to the
vehicle electrical system through a connector recepta-
cle in the fuse block. The inputs and outputs of the
wiper relay include:
²The common feed terminal (30) provides an out-
put to the wiper motor low speed brush through the
wiper control circuitry of the multi-function switch on
the steering column. When the wiper relay is de-en-
ergized, the common feed terminal is connected to
the input of the relay normally closed terminal (87).
When the wiper relay is energized, the common feed
terminal is connected to the input of the relay nor-
mally open terminal (87A).
²The coil ground terminal (85) is connected to
battery current through a fused ignition switch out-
put circuit whenever the ignition switch is in the On
position.
²The coil battery terminal (86) is connected to the
relay control output of the wiper, turn signals and
engine start control module within the fuse block
through the wiper relay control circuit. This elec-
tronic circuitry controls the ground path for this cir-
cuit internally to energize or de-energize the wiper
relay control coil based upon its programming and
inputs from the wiper and washer control circuitry of
the multi-function switch, the wiper motor park
switch, and the ignition switch.
²The normally open terminal (87) is connected to
the output of the wiper motor park switch through
the wiper motor park switch sense circuit. This cir-
cuit can carry either battery current (wipers are not
in park position) or ground (wipers are in park posi-
tion), depending upon the status of the wiper park
switch.
²The normally closed terminal (87A) is connected
to battery current through a fused ignition switch
output circuit whenever the ignition switch is in the
On position.
The wiper relay can be diagnosed using conven-
tional diagnostic tools and methods.
Fig. 25 Wiper Relay
1 - HOUSING
2 - TERMINAL (5)
3 - BASE
VAWIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 21
WIPER RELAY (Continued)

REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BAT-
TERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT
TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO
DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE
WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the fuse access panel from the steering
column opening cover below the steering column on
the instrument panel.
(3) Reach through and below the outboard side of
the fuse access opening to access the wiper relay
(Fig. 26).
(4) Remove the wiper relay by grasping it firmly,
releasing the latches and pulling it straight down
from the receptacle on the bottom of the fuse block.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BAT-
TERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT
TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO
DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHERDIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE
WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Position the wiper relay to the receptacle on
the bottom of the fuse block (Fig. 26).
(2) Align the wiper relay terminals with the termi-
nal cavities in the fuse block receptacle.
(3) Push firmly and evenly on the top of the wiper
relay until the terminals are fully seated in the ter-
minal cavities in the receptacle of the fuse block and
both latches are fully engaged.
(4) Reinstall the fuse access panel onto the steer-
ing column opening cover below the steering column
on the instrument panel.
(5) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 26 Wiper Relay Remove/Install
1 - FUSE BLOCK
2 - LOWER INSTRUMENT PANEL
3 - STEERING COLUMN COVER
4 - LATCH (2)
5 - WIPER RELAY
8R - 22 WIPERS/WASHERSVA
WIPER RELAY (Continued)