Wiper Switch

[seaside bill]

During myreturn tripfrom the Bristol Classic Car show today, my wipers refused to turn off. They werein intermittent mode, when suddenly they reverted to normal operation andcontinue to operate evenwith the stalk in the off position. :?

Interestingly, turning the ignition off usually (but not always) returns things to normal. I'm guessing the switch is faulty so I'm going to ordera replacement (£70 - not cheap!). I assumed an easy repair job e.g. remove top/bottom steering column covers, but the manual describes a process involving removal of the steering column which sounds a bit tedious.It'stoo access restricted in my garage to see the column assembly clearly at the moment, but would appreciate advice from anybody who's tackled this job

[DJT]

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Bill,

Mine is a Mk1, but I believe the fitment of the wiper switch will be the same, only you have intermittent, I don't. It is easy to remove without too much dismantling. Take off the column shroud and is should become obvious. I think it is only a couple of screws. If I remember rightly one is partially obscured, but it can be got at with a suitable screwdriver.

Before you go too far, check the operation of the parking switch in the wiper motor. If this is not working properly it can give these symptoms. I had the same fault last year.

Dave

[seaside bill]

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Hi Dave

Many thanks for your response - how do you check the parking switch? Is it obvious once you've taken the cover off the wiper motor?

[DJT]

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Bill,

Yes it is inside the wiper motor. Take off the lid. It is activated by a white nylon slider that is moved by the end of the wiper rack. The end of the rack sometimes breaks and the only real solution is a new rack. It sometimes becomes dosconnected from the slider. Or the slider won't activate the switch properly because the switch has moved. You really need a Haynes or ROM to see how it all should go together and be adjusted.

Dave

[seaside bill]

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Dave

Following your advice, I've had the wiper motor in bits today. Is it indeed the parking switch, but it's caused by the metal tab on the end of the steering rack partially breaking off and not activating the switch propery - did you have the same problem? Looks like the only solution is to change the rack as the tab is not a seperate component. Has anybody changed the rack - ROM suggests it's not too difficult, but I'm not sure if I'll end up having to take the wheel boxes out?

[stagnut]

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Hi Bill, maybe the following can help you.

Taken fron another 'phorum'

Has anyone experienced the interesting case of the Stag Windscreen
wipers that won't switch off.

It started a couple of days ago, in that once turned on, the only way to
stop them was to turn off the ignition. This occurred a couple of times
and was mildly irritating, but not in the 'urgent' list.

It then got worse, since when turning the ignition on/off would have no
effect i.e. they restarted when the ignition was turned back on, rather
than being off until turned on. Confused-think I'm confusing myself.

Apart from turning the ignition/engine off, the only way to stop them
with the ignition/engine on is to remove the fuse, which can present
problems if it's showery!

The problem occurs with the stalk in any position. i.e. if you have the
stalk on intermittent, the wipers ore on continuously, and the different
speeds do not seem to work.

I replaced the stalk a couple of years ago, and before I rush out to
replace it again, does anyone have any other ideas



There is a small plastic white block that is inside the wiper motor gearing and it can break. If so, it wont allow the wipers to park/stop. Remove the 2 bolts that hold down the wiper motor to the engine bay and twist so that you can get to the small screws / bolts that hold the houseing plate down. You shoud be able to see easily if this has brokem. If it hasnt, then this is what you do next. With a small cross headed screw drivers loosen the small holding screws underneath the housing that hold the block and whilst the wipers are operating, move the block slowly until they stop. Ths block creates a cut off for the current. When you have found the ideal position tighten the screws.

[DJT]

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Bill,

Yes I had this problem when I first bought my Stag as the metal tag was missing, so the wipers wouldn't park. Initially I spent some time and made a new end, but eventually I bought a replacement rack. To fit, just remove the wiper arms from the spindles and pull the rack wire out. Push the new one in and replace the wiper arms.

What has been suggested in the past is, when the rack is out, rotate both spindles by 60 degrees before putting the new rack in. This puts an unworn part ofeach wheelbox gear in contact with the wire and can result in smoother wipers. Didn't notice much difference myself, though.

You can get a secondhandwiper racksfrom Martin Dimmick (Justriumph). He sells on eBay.

Dave