My washer blew!?!?!

[Multiphonikks]

I fitted a new windscreen washer pump yesterday after the old push-pump gave up the ghost.

Fitting went fine, as did the wiring. I took a new live feed from the fusebox, took the earth from a known good earth and wired it all up to a new switch.

It worked just great... until today on the M4, where it gave up the ghost. I examined it and it was red hot, smelly, and obviously burnt out.

I got back to Bristol and tested the voltage at both the fuse block and the switch. 14.1 volts.

Now, forgive me for being really silly, but shouldn't a 12v water pump designed for use on a car be tollerant to +-2 or 3 volts? I'm just astounded that this thing has burnt out!

Nikki

[les]

Fit another push pump?

[Multiphonikks]

Push pumps are not as easy to get hold of as the electric ones. Besides, I have a cunning plan... *cue a Cam photo*

[chickenjohn]

It might be that your pipes/jets are blocked, not faulty pump.

Hence the push pump (which I rather like as part of the character of the car) appeared to not work, and the new electric one burnt out with the effort of trying to pump limescale ;)

Quite likely in a hard water area like Bath/Bristol, or East kent!

[guydenning]

i've got a spare push pump if you want to go back to the analogue solution nikki...

[Kevin]

Thats unfortunate Nikki as the electric pumps are pretty reliable ang generally give up the ghost with age rather than burn out.
And all the original parts are avialable
http://www.morris-minor.co.uk/p632.htm

[Multiphonikks]

Hi Kevin,

I nipped out to the Halfrauds below the office, brought a new pump, and headed up to the car to fit a new one.

Two mins later and I have a working pump. I hope it lasts a bit longer than the old one!

Nikki.

[Gareth]

Did you buy the first one from Halfwits as well? :significant look smilie:

[rayofleamington]

I got back to Bristol and tested the voltage at both the fuse block and the switch. 14.1 volts

It's a common missconception that 12V means 12V.
If there's no current flowing you'll see battery voltage, and if the engine is running you'll see the charging voltage, but when a motor is draeing current you'll get something different.
What is means is 11 to 15 volts for anything that uses low current and about 9 to 12 volts for anything that uses a lot of current. (As the current rises, the voltage drop on the wiring increases - If you use thin and long wire you drop more volts in the loom, and if you use thicker wire you drop less voltage, which is fine on an old car without much wiring but a major problem on new cars with 'electronic everything').

Anyway - unless you have more than ~15volts then it's not going to be related to the voltage.

[Multiphonikks]

*smiles* I did Physics A Level

But thanks anyway

[rayofleamington]

*smiles* I did Physics A Level

yeah - me too, but quit before finishing. At least I got a smile.
And you'll tell by my spelling that I didn't do A-level English...

[Multiphonikks]

*smiles* I did Physics A Level

yeah - me too, but quit before finishing. At least I got a smile.
And you'll tell by my spelling that I didn't do A-level English...

Nah, I may be working in the media these days, but I still can't spell for tofffeee....

[Cam]

Neither can most of the Media!

[Kevin]

Wot`s an A level, dont fink they were invented or available at the low tech secondary antique school I attended

[Cam]

I think A-levels were what those posh 6th formers did...........

[guydenning]

's where the farmers put th'orses out to eat in Somerset innit? Out on the 'ay levels

[Kevin]

I think A-levels were what those posh 6th formers did...........

Ahh ST Trinnians now I get it although I like Guys suggestion as well

[rayofleamington]

I think A-levels were what those posh 6th formers did...........

I hear that you can still do them - they hand them out for what was called an O-level in my day.....

[guydenning]

mmm - media studies... citizenship... general studies

degrees in knitting technology - champion

and i thought fine art and philosophy was a waste of time