Morris Minor Owners Club

Strange problem with the windscreen wipers coming on when switched off. Usually for a few wipes, sometimes more. Often seems to happen when turning right. Thought it might be the switch so changed it without solving the problem. Can't see a problem with the wires going into the wiring loom or emerging from the loom and going into the wiper motor. Obviously an electrical problem of some sort. Any ideas anyone?

Bad earth somewhere.

I’ve never worked on the minors wipers.
Unusually they supply the 12V feed to the motor and switch the earth. Normally with wipers that don’t stop or start on their own it’s to do with the park switch.
So it’s worth checking the wire for damage that goes to park switch located at the centre of the round cam gear section of the motor or give it a prod around that area with ignition on to see if wipers start.
Because they switch the earth if the wire to the switch rubs through to the chassis somewhere the wipers will start.
Someone will be along shortly if there is a common issue.
Regards John

It's definitely a stray earth, which is effectively taking the place of you operating the switch.
As it's causing more than one cycle of the wipers to occur, it doesn't sound like a momentary thing.
As you say it's 'often when turning right' then I'd be concerned that something is moving when you do that and causing the individual cable, or the section of loom to be rubbed or pinched.
I assume you've got the motor under the bonnet and not an early one behind the dash?
You're looking at doing a finger-tip examination of the wiring until you find the culprit.

StillGotMy1stCar - There's a park switch? I though you just had to be careful switching them off at the right time!

Self park added Oct 56 with Minor 1000.

StillGotMy1stCar wrote:Self park added Oct 56 with Minor 1000.

That explains it...