Wiper Woe

[mopoole]

Wipers were working perfectly until yesterday. Went to start the car; my usual routine is to turn the engine over until the oil warning light goes out and then pull out the choke, blip the throttle and turn it over until if fires, then push the choke in till it idles smoothly at about 800rpm.

Unbeknown to me the wiper stalk had somehow moved to the "intermittent" position and when the engine fired proceeded to move the wipers. Moved the lever to OFF but now have the following problems:-

1. Wipers will now not self park- always done it before.
2. On "Intermittent" wipers will move about 5 degrees of sweep, stop, then another 5 degrees, stop and so on.
Any suggestions as to what could be wrong?
Many thanks

Maurice

[Niallcat]

Are the wipers working normally on positions one and two ?

[mopoole]

Yes Niallcat, just won't self park

[DZP]

Hi Maurice,
The wiper motor park switch should provide power to the wiper motor whilst ever the wipers are not in the park position, even with wipers turned off.
Scenario:-
Wiper switch in the off position, power from the park switch powers the wiper motor until park position is reached and the wipers stop.
Wiper switch in the intermittent position, wiper switch provides power for a short period of time to move wipers from the park position, park switch then provides power until the wipers reach park position and stop, then repeat.
So, I would say there is a fair chance your wiper park switch contacts are badly worn.
The wiper park switch is located under the wiper motor.
Regards,
Dennis

[Lingen]

Maurice.
Another fairly common cause is the failure of the small steel "Tang" that is spot welded to the "Big end" of the rack where it attaches to the crank. It's purpose is to operate the self-parking switch, so when it breaks off, it doesn't!
Mike.

[mopoole]

Thanks for the pointers guys, will do some investigating when the beast comes back from having some bodywork done and a new hood fitted. As the delay sequence is also up the creek, have contacted Tony White to see if he has a thermal delay switch as they are no longer available.

Regards
Maurice

[mopoole]

Well finally got round to attacking the problem using Drew's excellent manual on dismantling said motor. Tony White had sent me a new/old park switch together with the attached brush plate. Unfortunately the springs in his brush plate were rusted and fell apart as soon as I looked at them so had to cut the wires between the plate and switch and use my original plate in which the springs were surprising bright-almost new looking. Re-greased everything, reconnected everything back up and lo & behold everything now works properly

Thanks for all your help, particularly Tony

Maurice