Missing washers (and screws)
1990 PEUGEOT 205 GT
‘How bad can it be?’ I thought to myself when I read repeated warnings as to the quality of the electrics on older Peugeots as I considered buying a 205.
Oh, how I was wrong. First there was the issue with the rear lights shorting, which took weeks and a pointless alternator swap to solve.
Now, I have indicators that won’t self-cancel, a wash-wipe switch that wipes but doesn’t wash, a radio that seemingly has no permanent live and central locking that only seems to work when the temperature’s over 20 degrees Celsius. Madness.
The wash-wipe system was the most urgent, after both the front and rear washer conked out simultaneously. The switch seemed the obvious culprit. After a few screws and the removal of some trim pieces, I found the stalks wouldn’t actually come out without lowering the steering column itself – thanks Peugeot. Fortunately, undoing the first bracket on the column gave enough movement to pull the stalks out. However, I noticed two screw holes in their bases, not one. Someone had been here already and lost two screws, meaning the stalks had unintended lateral movement. A quick trip to local Sterling Nuts & Bolts saw me with two new screws and the correct shake-proof washers for just 40p.
The indicator stalk movement had caused it to move too far away from the steering wheel’s self-cancelling ring – easily solved. A quick go with Holts Electrical Contact Cleaner doesn’t solve the wash-wipe issue, however. But the new wiper stalk I’d bought for a few pounds didn’t sort out the issues there.
I’m a bit stumped as to where the problem is. I’ll order a new washer pump, but I’d be surprised if that works given the front and rear packed up together. It could involve some more serious wiring, perhaps behind the dashboard. Lucas, Prince of Darkness? More like Peugeot!
OWNED SINCE 2018 // MILEAGE SINCE LAST REPORT 3377 // TOTAL MILEAGE 110,153 // LATEST COSTS £15.40 (washer pumps, wiper stalks and fixings)