Wipers wipe - don´t wipe - wipe - don´t wipe - wipe - d...

[transexl]

Guten Tag

Anything to save work on something that does works - well, sometimes :

On our way back from a classic car meeting in Köln (Cologne of course) yesterday it rained a bit.
The wiper worked on all three switch settings - and even the "delay" was adjustable 100% - a marvellous thing to watch and operate !!

But only for one run of maybe ten minutes .
After being switched off for some minutes it acted as before: it worked on the "fast" setting only.

Well, that MUST mean that the motor is up to the job, is that not right ?
But - what else is the matter then ? I cleaned the contacts on the motor once, but never the other side, those on the switch or so - could that do anything ???
I would just LOVE to get that thing working without just for the kick of it !!!!
(The horn worked for some weeks only, and the heater fan still is out of order as well - could they not suffer from the same (neglection !?) as the wipers as they are/were used EVEN LESS )

DANKE !!

stefan

[Shazzbat]

Something similar is happening to me Stefan. Fortunately everything else is working more or less OK, whilst I have never been able to set the wiper delay in perfect condition.

It works, and we can even say that the governer works... its way!

It's unable to keep wiping frequency. Sometimes it runs non-stop, others it stops for thirty seconds. I think that the governer only modifies the frequency craziness.

On the other hand I do not know what's the plastic hose used for. Any suggestion?


Regz

[transexl]

Something similar is happening to me Stefan. Fortunately everything else is working more or less OK, whilst I have never been able to set the wiper delay in perfect condition.

It works, and we can even say that the governer works... its way!

It's unable to keep wiping frequency. Sometimes it runs non-stop, others it stops for thirty seconds. I think that the governer only modifies the frequency craziness.

On the other hand I do not know what's the plastic hose used for. Any suggestion?


Regz

I am SO happy !
At last, a co-sufferer

I also think that the governer works, and I will follow the advice to clean and grease the mechanism - but it struck me that it works so randomly ... .

[devilsplaymate]

Hi.

I encountered a similar issue with my wiper system, which turned out to be a combination of burnt/glazed contacts within the main wiper switch on the dashboard, and glazed/burnt commutator/brushes within the wiper motor itself.
Both issues were addressed by dismantling the wiper switch and motor assemblies and cleaning/recomissioning the various contacts, brushes & tracks.
Note that the wiper switch has a spring, ball bearing and many contacts and tracks contained within which must be clean and tensioned to work correctly.
After spending a couple of hours one sunday after noon, all was well...... and cost nothing!!

Glen.

[The Rovering Member]

On the other hand I do not know what's the plastic hose used for. Any suggestion?

It carries the vacuum from the white delay adjuster knob & must be in perfect order along it's length for the delay to work properly. They do get brittle with age though I think I'm right in saying that it's easier to run a new piece of pipe rather than trying to inspect for breaks in the original which is taped into the loom.

[Keith Coman]

A common protection system is often built into wiper systems to prevent the electric motor burning out [e.g.] if the operating mechanism is tight or binding. If the motor gets hot, a bi-metallic strip opens the circuit and stops current getting to the motor. Once the motor cools down, the circuit is closed and the motor will work again.

I would disconnect the motor from the wiper linkage and check to see how easy the wipers are to move across their full arcs. If that is OK, then the wiper motor may be in need of an overhaul: glazed commutators, tight bearings, etc.. [I once took an Austin wiper motor's cover off and found the bearings were running in rusty water.]

[transexl]

A common protection system is often built into wiper systems to prevent the electric motor burning out [e.g.] if the operating mechanism is tight or binding. If the motor gets hot, a bi-metallic strip opens the circuit and stops current getting to the motor. Once the motor cools down, the circuit is closed and the motor will work again.

I would disconnect the motor from the wiper linkage and check to see how easy the wipers are to move across their full arcs. If that is OK, then the wiper motor may be in need of an overhaul: glazed commutators, tight bearings, etc.. [I once took an Austin wiper motor's cover off and found the bearings were running in rusty water.]

Danke Keith !

I was pondering the thought of a motor running hot when blocked. I did not know that such a mechanism is built in.
How long do you reckon does it take the motor to get hot/the strip to disconnect the current ? What I mean is: could that happen within less than ten strokes ?

As the horn does work only when it wants to, this might be related and have not have to do with the protection system, I guess .... .

[Keith Coman]

Try and test one thing at a time.

For example, pop off the circlip [don't lose the jolly thing!] connecting the wiper mechanism to the motor and run the motor. If it runs OK unloaded, then this suggests the fault is with the wiper mechanism.

If the horn and wiper are on the same circuit [cue wiring diagram look up] then maybe something like the relevant fuse is corroded or loose in its holder.

[transexl]

Try and test one thing at a time.

For example, pop off the circlip [don't lose the jolly thing!] connecting the wiper mechanism to the motor and run the motor. If it runs OK unloaded, then this suggests the fault is with the wiper mechanism.

If the horn and wiper are on the same circuit [cue wiring diagram look up] then maybe something like the relevant fuse is corroded or loose in its holder.

DANKE !

The fuse might be the only safe thing in the game, as they were checked when still in England.
But the rest is a GREAT hint !!!!!!!
(I just know that I am not good at this methodical testing... )

[v8guy]

(I just know that I am not good at this methodical testing... )

That's Funny Stefan, I thought methodical and German went hand in hand

[transexl]

(I just know that I am not good at this methodical testing... )

That's Funny Stefan, I thought methodical and German went hand in hand

... and my father was car mechanic, "Werkzeugmacher" ("tool maker"/machinist) AND "Zollbeamter" (customs officer) - and a very good one at ALL of them as well

Proofs all the more my half-Dutch background - the "wrong" half, obviously
(Gotta find out next what the Dutch are good at, to find that half in me and to keep up my spirit !)