stupid question re wipers

[SaskStag]

I'm still having trouble with the wiper motor. Were working great for one day!
Next day, nothing and jammed. Couldn't move wipers at all.

Tokk the whole lot off, dissambled according to technical instructions (Dasadrew, thx), cleaned thoroughly, no broken bits, and boxed the whole lot off with spare brushes card to the auto electric motor guy in town.
Just got it back, and it's still jammed.

I should be able to move the rack and be able to turn all the wheels and cogs and motor, right?

I also noticed the cover is on backwards, arrow not aligned with mark on cover -despite an asterisk by that bit in the photocopied ROM instructions for the guy.

Kudos to him though, he did wire up the brushes car directly to the switch - which I couldn't do.

T

[73stagman]

I don't think you can move the wiper arms with the motor fully attached. You should be able to move them with the motor off .... easily too and to enable the rack to be located into the wiper gearbox.

[Staggard]

Which is jammed Tanya, the rack or the motor?? when the motor is removed can you move the rack back and forth by hand?? Graham

[SaskStag]

Ok, I thought that when everything is installed (set up normal) you can move the wipers back and forth? I can't, but I could before.
Anyway, just got back from the autoelectrician where he showed me the motor working slow and fast speed just fine.

Loathe to undo the cover again, that's when it all began....brushes popping everywhere etc

Will install the whole thing and try with the lecky attached....
watch this space....
T

[SaskStag]

Nada
How do i test there is lecky going to the multipin correctly? Do I have to connect the two slots for each speed connection to an earth?

multipin plug to wipers.jpg


I know the motor works on the bench, fuse not blown (that would be too easy)

...tested 4 moderns, and no, you can't move the wipers, so that must be normal.....
T

[scraggs]

The gearbox in the motor will prevent movement if the motor isn't running because of the gear effect. Likewise the wipers won't move by hand as they are run by a basic gear system. I think there can only be two problems here. One the drive cable has got water in it and corrosion has set in or you have a electrical connection breaking down. Have you tried simple things first? Because the motor drags a reasonable current check the fuse connection by putting multimeter on the load side while trying the wipers . If that's OK and not breaking down move to the next connection etc until you find a breakdown in supply. If you do not it could still be the motor connection failing under load.

[73stagman]

First things first... with the motor out of the car you must be able to move the arms . Make sure you use the arm furthest from the motor, dont force it but it should move very easilly. If it has tight spots you need to remove the rack and the wheel boxes for inspection.... not a fun job!

Assuming thats all good
Simplest way to test the motor is to fit it into the car and connect the wiring plug. (Make sure the fuse is good.) but dont connect the rack

With out the rack on, the motor will run continuously as soon as you turn on the ignition as there is nothing to hit the park switch. To test that just push it with a small screw driver and the motor should stop.
Without the rack connected turn the wipers on to speed one... then on to speed 2 see if there is a difference.
If you confirm the motor is good then you reinstall the rack. if it doesnt work then the chances are the motor is toast as it is not working under load.

hope this helps....

[SaskStag]

Took whole unit out and attached multipin plug; nothing.

I've had the wiper rack out, cleaned and regreased. One wiper box is new.

Tested feed into fusebox and there is nothing when ignition on and column switch in work position. Wires are attached on the other side of that fuse. It's a modern blade fusebox. Fuses have blown before when the brushes shorted out.

How do I test the column stalk?

TIA
Tanya

[scraggs]

If you have nothing at the fuse box then I it isn't the swith as the feed goes to the switch from the fuse not the other way round. You should have a white wire from the ignition switch feeding that fuse. I think it's the same supply as coil etc so if engine is working ignition switch should be OK. Rig a temp feed up from battery ,fused of course, and see if that works. If it does you will have a bad connection or a broken wire. I think power to wiper switch is a standard green one.

[scraggs]

One thing,have you checked for power at fuse without wiper switch in the on position? If there is and you lose power when on its like I put bad connection.

[SaskStag]

Ok, I went through the 'what I have I done recently' and I had taken the steering nascelle off so checked all that again and thought I'd take a peek at the wiper switch anyway -
took switch apart - that was stupid - all springs and things - ordered new one

Will disconnect at the multipin and wait for new switch to arrive and only drive on sunny days

Then I'll go through continuity check list. Washer did work and everything on car else is fine.


All I did was replace wiper cover for shiny blinged up one...........I think others have gone down this path and paid for the sin of pride
T

[SaskStag]

Well I discovered this joined up loom under where the wiper motor would sit:

loom under wiper motor.jpg

This is the second loom attachment I have found. The other loom to the main lights is a Mk 2 grafted onto a mk 1. I know a Mk 2 car was a parts car for this one. Looks like all the earth connections are bare, but there is tape around the live wires. there are two white wires taped together - I've yet to under that section, but came in for a cup of tea.......

..............All are roughly soldered, some connections a bit tenuous. Both white wires go to inertia switch and all that does work. Not sure this solves the wipers problem.
T

[scraggs]

Last time I saw anything like that my jack russell had played with it. Whether or not it is causing a problem with your wipers,I would get some heatshrink and redo all those joints.in their state you could have serious problems.

[SaskStag]

Yes, the green/white wire was just a few threads. It's a wonder the car started.
Darn difficult as there isn't much wire left to play with on the original loom. I'm afraid I am replacing with (hopefully) good quality crimps because my soldering would end up looking like the same mess anyway, and all will be covered with adhesive heat shrink. Just taking me ages to get them done properly...
Thanks
T

[deanoed]

I had trouble with my wiper motor a couple of years ago
bought a recon and it still didn't work they sent me two replacements but it still didn't work after have the car in bits it turned out to be the multiplug as it was pluging into the motor one of the wires was pushing out of the plug which you couldn't see as it was underneath (just a thought)