Non Park wipers

[andrewh]

I have just discovered that my wipers don't park when they are switched off. They just stop where they were. Now I know that the mechanism on the centre wiper rack spindle is designed to provide a continuing earth to allow the motor to run on until it motor past the end of the brass track and starts. However, thats not happening. The motor has been fully reconditioned by a specialist and hopefully converted from LHD to RHD. I have checked that the park switch has an earth continuity to the red and green wire to the switch. so at a loss at the moment. If anyone can help with suggestions I would be grateful

[cactusman]

As well as connecting to the switch the red light green wire from the park contact also runs to terminal 3 on the motor. If this connection is missing your wipers won't park. Check there is continuity between the park contact and the red light green wire at the motor junction block in the engine bay.

[andrewh]

Thanks. I will check that. I don't have an Earth on the motor or the wiper rack but assume that if it's working it doesn't need them?

[cactusman]

There is an earth from the motor....I just peered at mine....although if the motor works then not needed...my earth connects to the motor casing. Don't think there is one on the park contact...

[andrewh]

I guess the earth on the motor is because the motor is rubber mounted. however mine obviously has found a route to earth through the body. There is an earth on the wiper rack on the right hand spindle to the bulkhead behind steering wheel. Again mine is not on there, so perhaps I will fit that. I need to check that I have an earth at the red and green on the rubber wiring block near the motor as suggested above, or else I assume that the fault lies within switch or perhaps the motor.

[cactusman]

If the motor works on slow and fast I would look to the switch. It is a complex one and if incorrectly connected or broken may affect the self park. The manual has quite a good explanation of the electrical operation of the wiper system I seem to recall...cat on lap so can't move and check

[andrewh]

I have pulled my original switch apart in order to see whether I can repair it. A couple of the contacts are burnt so that may be why it doesn't work. I have a new switch from SNG, but that is iffy and needs to go back. Only works on fast if you hold he toggle in a particular position. It could be the switch. Been allocated gardening duties today, so cannot get to the E until tomorrow. Ah well. It will wait. thx

[andrewh]

Ok, so now my wipers park ok, well I don't have the arms on so, all I know is they go into reverse and run on until the earth on the park switch turns them off. To achieve this I connected a wire from the rack to the bulkhead to earth the wiper rack. I did have an earth continuity from the wiper rack to the rest of the car but the park did not work until I connected a separate earth lead up! Maybe co incidence. Now I notice that the mechanism has gone very stiff. It worked fine by hand when I put it in, so now need to investigate that. Perhaps its mal adjustment on the ball sockets? I guess if one arm is too long it will work against the others.

[richard btype]

Thanks for sharing the steps, have the same issue in non self parking...

[andrewh]

ok, well that was not a good day. My brand new SNG supplied wiper rack , tried fitted and tested decided to seize up on the centre spindle. Is it the worst job on the car, or the second worst job? So since fitting the new wiper rack and tested it manually, I then built up the car, including the wiring loom and refurbished wiper motor. Sadly I have now had to remove the faulty rack and replace with the original, not something I am at all happy about. The centre spindle just went tight and almost stalled the motor. I can hardly turn it by hand. Anyway, thats going back to SNG, but to be blunt, its just the most horrible job on the car and I would not like to change that on a regular basis . Why did I go for a new rack in the first place? Because my original was bit dirty and new rack was nicely plated etc. Another case of replica parts not cutting the mustard I am sorry to say. I can only assume that there was a greater attention to tolerances on the original cars than we perhaps give credit for. Note to self .....dont buy replica parts if at all possible. Grrrr

[288gto]

I really feel for you Andrew. Quite frankly I dread having to fit a new part rather than a refurbished one for fear of it falling apart, leaking or packing up after 5 minutes use.
It is so frustrating.

Thinking out loud, would it be possible to leave the two outer spindles in place by unbolting the
end plates and replace just the middle part? You are going to have to undo at least one end anyway just to get the rack out.

Simon

[richard btype]

ok, well that was not a good day. My brand new SNG supplied wiper rack , tried fitted and tested decided to seize up on the centre spindle. Is it the worst job on the car, or the second worst job? So since fitting the new wiper rack and tested it manually, I then built up the car, including the wiring loom and refurbished wiper motor. Sadly I have now had to remove the faulty rack and replace with the original, not something I am at all happy about. The centre spindle just went tight and almost stalled the motor. I can hardly turn it by hand. Anyway, thats going back to SNG, but to be blunt, its just the most horrible job on the car and I would not like to change that on a regular basis . Why did I go for a new rack in the first place? Because my original was bit dirty and new rack was nicely plated etc. Another case of replica parts not cutting the mustard I am sorry to say. I can only assume that there was a greater attention to tolerances on the original cars than we perhaps give credit for. Note to self .....dont buy replica parts if at all possible. Grrrr

I feel for you, most frustrating and really a man's hand was not designed to fit into this area,however some of those 'experts' that appear in the 'glamour section' have smaller hands leaving you plenty of time to direct the operation - just a thought!

[1954Etype]

No sympathy Andrew, you should know better! (Have you got any other servicebale original parts you want to get rid of? ☺).

[andrewh]

Oh dear oh dear. Thank you for the sympathies. In truth, I only purchased a new wiper rack as it was quicker than stripping down my original and having it sent for plating as I had forgotten to do that whilst the car was away being painted. I have now fitted it and it cleaned up very well so, as I said lesson learnt. I can however, get fitting and removing a wiper rack off to a fine art now. I would suggest its impossible without removing the dash top, which fortunately was not on my car yet. It is best to remove both end spindles. Access to these is easy with the dash top removed. It maybe necessary to drop both side dash panels forward to make it easier. Then slide the rack with operating arms to the left hand side getting the wiper rack and arms into the void just under the top of the bulkhead panel where a radio aerial would emerge if fitted. Then you can ease the right hand end of the rack and arms out of the centre aperture with the centre spindle still fitted. The only tricky bit was the adjustment cable which has to be removed from the engine side of the bulkhead. I fed that back in using a piece of wire wrapped around it to lead it through the water pipes and back through the bulkhead. And watch your washer tubes and make sure you have not fouled one or pulled it off the jet and connections. Simples! Just expect new language expletives to emerge and quite a few scratches on ones wrists.

[288gto]

Glad you've sorted it Andrew.

Will SNG be getting an invoice for 3 hours labour along with their returned rack?

Simon

[andrewh]

3 hours labour! Not sure about that, perhaps a bottle of Champagne from Julian would be in order! To be fair, where would we be without a lot of these parts, but really they need to work all of the time. I am sending my rack back and will no doubt here what has gone wrong with it. Not having been involved with the manufacture I cannot say for sure what the problem is, but machining tolerances or incompatible materials is my bet. Will report back in due course.

[andrewh]

it seems I spoke too soon. Last time I tried the wipers they worked fine, now they don't park! So what is happening is that when I switch off they take a turn the other way but don't stop. If you remove the earth lead from the park switch they stop. So in other words the earth is not being broken to stop them. I have looked at the park switch and cannot see any problem but there clearly is. Anyone had this same problem? As you look at the park switch the contact should run off the brass plate to the stop position. I guess I must have a short to earth somewhere that enables the wiper keep running. I am starting to lose it!!!!!

[Duckham]

Andrew -
It sounds as if the brass 'finger' is not running off the end of the brass plate when it is in reverse mode.

If so it just means you need to adjust the plate until it does. You can make big changes on the plate iteslf, or small ones with the knurled knob.

Joe

[andrewh]

I reckon this is the problem but its so tricky to get at when its in situation. To add to this, the end rivet that holds the brass contact and insulation in place is broken, and I have noticed a sparking at that point. I fear its back out with it to fully appreciate how it works. I must have done something very wrong in life to be plagued by this of all jobs!!!!

[Duckham]

I I fear its back out with it to fully appreciate how it works. !

Maybe this photo will help. It is easy to move the 'finger' to the corrct position just by loosening the slotted screw, but fixing the rivet will be more of a challenge. If that is sparking it sounds as if it may be making it's own earth path.
Joe