1968 mm 1000 windscreen wipers sometimes seen to stick

[xpress]

.. and need a nudge to get them going again. any checklist of things to remedy this? visit to the mot man coming soon!

[bmcecosse]

They need fully charged battery - and make sure they test them with the engine running. Also wet the screen - and may be worth dribbling a little 3 in 1 down the spindles where they come through the rubber front panel. Further work means taking the top off the gearbox and perhaps withdrawing the rack to re-grease it - opening up the motor and cleaning and possibly renewing the brushes. Start with the simple things first..........

[xpress]

just a thought, does the horn need a fully charged battery too?

[mike.perry]

Yes.
Or to test the horn disconnect it and connect it to a battery charger.

[bmcecosse]

No for horn - but the wipers do tend to need full volts.

[chickenjohn]

I've had the same problem on both my cars. AFTER going occasionally sticky, as described, the wipers one day refused to work at all- in heavy rain!

The problem was one of the wheelboxes has siezed solid. Best to remove the glove box on each side and take each wiper wheelbox out, soak it in penetrating fluid, oil etc overnight and then re-grease. Try to save the original wheelboxes if you can as the replacement ones are rubbish- they all have a smaller arc through which the wiper sweeps. Passes the MOT and you can see out in the rain, but I like my wipers to sweep from scuttle to screen pillar!

Sometimes, the thin chrome nuts that fix the outside part of the spindle to the chrome bezel can seize on the thread, requiring a nut splitter or grinder to remove.

[mike.perry]

Whilst you have the glove boxes out check that the outer case of the rack is not moving relative to the wheel boxes.

[Pikey]

Have you got adjustable length wiper arms? I have on mine and it took me a couple of attempts to get the working lengths right to stop them fouling on the windscreen rubbers. You dont mention it catching on the windscreen surround so they probably arent, but may be worth a check. I tend to find the motor isnt the strongest of things and it takes the smallest amount to resistance to stop the mechanism moving.

Steve

[xpress]

UPDATE:

3 in 1 oil, a generous amount, operate the wipers, then off the screen up in the air, more oil, mop up and operate them, let them do their thing for a while ... hey presto. wipers are fine.

for now .. ;)

[taupe]

Hi

There is a copper contact within the wiper motor wheelbox which sets the park position - sometimes the contacts get gunged up or burnt so its worth taking off the cover, cleaning them up and lubricating with vaseline if youre doing a major service on the wipers.

[xpress]

just a note, new wiper blades on there. yes, i see how delicate the wipers are, they benefit from wet windows or they seem to get a bit stuck. only saw it happen once and gave them a push.

[bmcecosse]

They should be able to work on a dry screen - they should pass MOT if used on a wet screen - so just ask them to wet the screen. After all - they are only used in wet conditions..........