Wiper problem

[mickessex]

Hi,
I have single speed clap hands wipers, Generally they work fine but on occasion they come to a stop and after a minute or two of switching them on and off they start again. Another problem is the sweep, usually they rest on the bottom, on the screen rubber and travel all the way untill the tip touches the side screen rubber. Sometimes during use the sweep position changes so that they stop about 2" from the bottom and travel about 2" over and past the screen rubber on the sides.

Is there any adjustment on the wipers, does the motor need an overhaul or is it time for replacement?

Hope you can understand what I'm getting at here, after reading it back it sounds confusing and I wrote it.

Thanks
Mick

[picky]

just to clarify, so you have two problems with the wipers, one is that sometimes you turn them on and they dont move, then a minute or so later you turn them on again and they work ok.

second problem is that sometimes they dont park properly.
i will post again with a few possible answers once ive thought about it for a bit!!

Picky

[mickessex]

To Clarify.

Problem 1:
Wipers work for a few minutes then just stop (not in the park position). Sometimes they work for 15 minutes or more.

Problem2:
Sweep changes from normal, which is across the screen as they should be, from bottom of screen to outside edge. Then for no reason the travel changes from about 2" up from bottom of screen to about 2" past the edge of the screen a side.
The travel distance hasn't changed just the position of the sweep.

Hope this helps
Mick

[picky]

I dont think the two problems are related, which is annoying.

first problem is likely to be an electrical contact issue, somewhere there is a loose or dirty connection, which sometimes allows current through and other times does not. check the spade connectors on the wiper motor itself for dirt/grime.

problem 2 sounds like the round cover ontop of the wiper gearbox is loose, and rotating itself sometimes. try rotating it by hand and see if it moves, it should not be moveable easily. turning this will adjust the parking position of the wipers. also you could try removing the small round cover, and cleaning it on the inside, dirt here could be the cause of both problems actually....

while you have it open to add a bit of extra grease on the gears will not do any harm.
Picky

[mickessex]

Thanks Picky, I'll go out now and have a look.

[bmcecosse]

Generally - a right good greasing/oiling would help - and turn the wheel box gears over 180 degrees to the unworn section - there is a whole second life built into these things. The change of movement thing does sound like something loose - especially if it later reverts to normal operation ?

[mickessex]

Thanks for all your advice.
I took a look at the motor, but wasn't sure exactly what I was looking at. Just below and to the right of where the cable screws on is a small round knurled knob, is this what is used to adjust the parking?
Another thing is that my wipers do not park automatically, I have to turn them off when they are in position. Should they auto park on a 1960 motor?
I think I'm going to have to take the motor off and give it a proper looking at and do as bmcecosse suggests.

Thanks
Mick

[millerman]

What's the best lube for the wiper rack and wheel boxes?

White grease or perhaps cv joint grease, that never seems to dry out.

What have you actually used that has stood the test of time?

Cheers all

[Welung666]

I put white grease in mine when I cleaned it all out, been fine for 2 years so far

[bmcecosse]

It will self park if there is a cover about 60mm dia with a wire attached on the motor - if wired correctly of course!

[moggyminor16]

i would say the switch is one of your problem as i have had the same with my 61 saloon

[alex_holden]

To fix the self-park on my wiper motor I had to take the round lid off and bend the copper contact upwards slightly. Then to set the parking position, place the lid on the motor but don't tighten the screws down, switch the ignition on, and turn the lid until the blades are as far down as they will go. You might then need to pull the arms off and move them to a different spline position if they're not at the bottom of the screen.