Wiper failure - suggestions sought....

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:01 pm

Driving home last night in a torrid downpour, my wipers gave up the ghost and stopped on me. They had always run rather slow beforehand.
Having read up a little (not that I understand a lot of what I read - just ask the SADMOGers!) it seems it could be worn out brushes, or a bad connection, or the motor could have broken,
Any suggestions as to how I check which of these might be the culprit would be very much appreciated.
If it is the motor, it seems you need to send your old one in on an exchange basis, but who / where is the best place to go for this?, and / or is Ebay worth a try?.
All suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks, Mike.

Post by **WPR678B** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:09 pm

If you need a motor and Peetee can't help then let me know Mike and i will look you one out.
It is reasonably easy to change the motor and gearbox assembly complete. Maybe a SADMOG demo on Benny may be in order?!

Post by **MoggyTech** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:23 pm

Check the large nut that connects the cable to the wiper motor isn't loose or even undone, quite common.

Post by **Mogwai** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:53 pm

Another thing to look at if they have been running slow for a while is that the cable isnt seizing in the guide tubes due to corrosion/grease drying out etc could of overloaded the motor .

Post by **minor_hickup** » Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:48 pm

The pushrod can also seize on the shaft in the wiper gearbox!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:48 am

Everything else working ok ? Not just fuse blown ? easy enough to fit new brushes if that's what required - but ceratinly easier to put another motor on meantime if you can get one.

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:49 am

Im embarrassed to say that Ive not yet been able to get round to replacing the wiper motor that went months ago....however, new years resolutions and all that, Im wanting to get it sorted finally.

Ive got a replacement wiper motor (courtesy of Carlo), and was given an explanation of how to fit it...but it was many months ago and Im afraid Ive forgotten.

Ive looked it up in the workshop manual but there isnt a great deal of info on procedure for replacement in my one...any advice as to how to proceed with replacing the motor would be most welcome.

Many thanks, Mike.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:54 am

Take a digi pic of the connections etc. Disconnect the battery - remove the 3 little nuts under the mounting plate - and slacken/unscrew the nut securing the cable rack to the motor. Remove the top cover from the gearbox - and ease the rack connection out of the crank arm. Lift the motor - and remove the electric connections - and lift the motor and gearbox away from the car.

Post by **downsey** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:59 am

I wouldn't give up on the original wiper motor if i were you. The odds of the motor going bad seem unlikely to me. I just fixed the motor in my '51 and the problem was dried up grease that led to seized needle bearings in the gear reduction/angle drive. You can remove the transmission and check just the electric motor, and this will tell you where the problem lies.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:33 am

I agree -it's either seized up motor/gearbox - or even just seized up rack - or maybe needs new brushes in the motor. These units are very robust and last 'for ever'.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:57 pm

Most common wiper failure on my cars was fuse holder going open circuit - usually fixed by wiggling the fuse. However if it was slow before it died then it's likely it's more serious.

I've replaced a brush and brush holder on one - the brush was cut down to size using a donor one from a scrap motor or alternator. The brush holder needed replacing as it had worn right through as the motor continued to work after the brush was long gone! That was fiddly to make but worked.
With new brushes, and re-greasing everything was fine. Total cost ~10p for the grease.

Before removing the top cover, mark the position of the round cap. The cap can rotate and this is to allow adjustment of the parking position (no affect on the wiper travel except for when the motor turns off)

Post by **Mike Shipman** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:05 am

Thanks for the additional tips folks - I'll try to get a look at the wiper motor this weekend.
Cheers, Mike.