Vauxhall Corsa warning lights, dashboard problems, wipers knackered - all electrical?

Car: Vauxhall Corsa
Variant: 1.2 'easytronic'
Model Year: 2003
Categories: Leaks & Noises
Morning all
I've got one of these pretend-automatic Corsas (I'm not in a position to be choosy and inherited it from my grandad!).
Late last year the display thermometer went crazy, going to -40, then counting quickly from -40 to, for example, -12, then displaying the correct temperature, then disappearing to --:--, then -40 again, etc etc.
Then the small window on the actual dash displaying the digital milometer and mileage clock turned itself off (it stopped displaying, but in the right light, you can still just about make it out).

A couple of months ago the orange 'emissions control' warning light came on. A quick AA diagnostic confirmed suspicion it was the lambda sensor rather than an electrical problem or faulty fuse etc. AA guy also reckoned thermometer problem was down to the sensor being knackered rather than an electrical issue. Fuel consumption and handling of car seems unaffected so I've put up with it for time being.

However, this week I've had the airbag warning light come on twice and having used the windscreen wipers for the first time for a while this morning, they whimpered their way half-way across the screen, very feebly, then stopped, stuck, just twitching occasionally.

It can't be a coincidence that all these things are going at the same time, but what common theme could connect them? Had a brief chat with a supposed diagnostics expert but as a cynic who knows so little about the industry, I'm very wary of these diagnostics and the common attitude that you need to pay a small fortune just for them to have a quick look.
Plus I'm struggling to get it to a garage before Sunday, when I've got a fair drive across M62 to Manchester Airport.
Any thoughts, help, advice etc v much appreciated!
Cheers
Posted: Jun 22, 2011 (13 years ago)
The windscreen wiper problem is a common problem on the corsa, I know because i have just had to cure the same problem on a 54 plate corsa, the spindles that turn to make the wipers move will have begun to seize, they corrode inside, the only cure for me was to remove the wiper linkage and spray lots of wd40 on the spindles, then tap the spindles out, rub them down with some wet and dry then grease and replace. Hope this helps.
Posted Jun 22, 2011 (13 years ago)

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