can someone explain how to bench test wiper motors

[Shealey]

I have a 58/59 Bugeye wiper motor I think is good. All the wiring is out of our car so I can't simply connect it and see if it works. I tried to jump thething and got it to flick or twitch but not mak a full motion. Anyone know how to jump test these things? I trying to build a list of parts I still need to complete the "Shealey"

 

[bugimike]

It's a pretty straightforward hook up. Make sure you have a good ground as well as hot wire and it should turn!

 

[healeyboz]

True true.

 

[lesingepsycho]

Make sure you know whether it is positive or negative ground to begin with and then hook it up accordingly.
JACK

 

[DrEntropy]

It's a D.C. motor: It won't care which way the current goes thru. It'll run either way if it's good. It ~IS~ a positive earth car originally, tho.

 

[bugimike]

You've got it Doc!! What is affected by polarity is confusing eh! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[ncbugeye]

When I switched from pos-earth to neg-earth on ncbugeye a couple of weeks ago I did not touch the wiper motor and it still works as well as it used to work.

 

[John Loftus]

Re: can someone explain how to bench test wiper mo

On the big Healey the wiper motor has three leads so I looked at the wiring diagram and duplicated it on the bench. The green wire (terminal 2) goes straight to the fuse block, the Black wire (terminal E) goes to ground and the Black with green stripe wire (terminal I) goes to the switch (with the other switch terminal going to ground).

This way I was able to see if the wiper motor was parking properly after the switch was turned off.

Most likely your wiring colors and motor lead marking are different but it you have a three lead motor the principle should be the same.

Cheers,
John

 

[Shealey]

Re: can someone explain how to bench test wiper mo

Thanks John,

I did a bench test. The motor seemed to cycle once then shut off. I couldn't get it to start again.... I need to rethink this wiper thing.I wonder if there is a short in the park switch.

 

[John Loftus]

Re: can someone explain how to bench test wiper mo

Did you set up the bench test with a switch in the circuit and all other wires going to pos or neg per the wiring diagram? If not, it's possible to get just one cycle and the motor goes to park.

 

[Shealey]

Re: can someone explain how to bench test wiper mo

Hi John,

Thanks for the help. Based on your explanation I was at least able to get some movement. I don't have the wiper assembly installed in the car yet. And I don't have a harness to connect the wiper motor to. I just connected the (2) directly to the + side of a 12 volt battery. I connected the (1) and (E) to the ground post. The motor cycled what seemed to be one revolution and parked. I couldn't get it to go a second time. I think I need study the diagram and be sure it's working before I install it in the car.

 

[John Loftus]

Re: can someone explain how to bench test wiper mo

I bench tested mine the same way with the exception that I wired a switch between the (1) and battery ground and wired a fuse between the (2) and the battery. I suggest trying it again with a switch and fuse (any reasonable toggle switch should work .. I used a house hold wall switch because it was handy and an automotive in-line fuse) and make sure all your connections are tight (if the (1) wire loses connection at all it will park).

If you get it going and the action appears too slow, the grease used in the gearbox and cable rack gets old and stiff which taxes the motor. They are pretty easy to tear down, clean, change brushes and re-assemble if you take your time and make careful note of where all the pieces go. The workshop manual goes over the wiper servicing in good detail. There are tests for current consumption, resetting the limit switch, illustrations, etc. You can also take a look at the following site which has a rebuild of a heater motor for some tips.

heater motor rebuild

And last resort .. know of a place that refurbishes them if you would rather go that route.

https://www.british-car-part-restoration.com/

Cheers,
John