TR2/3/3A TR3 Wiper Switch

[mountainman]

Trying to get my wipers to work and no go. I suspect the switch because I get no continuity when I check just the switch with no wires attached. What do you guys think? Also can it be taken apart and checked maybe rebuilt?
Thanks
Greg

 

[ekamm]

Try to run direct power to the wiper motor with a jumper.

 

[TR3driver]

Certainly should have continuity through the switch with it in the 'on' position.

I've never tried to pull one of those switches apart (never had one fail, for that matter), but it's certainly worth trying ... after all, it just junk if it doesn't work so you've got nothing to lose.

 

[TR3driver]

Try to run direct power to the wiper motor with a jumper.

Bad idea, actually, the wiper motor already gets direct power. The wiper switch is supposed to <span style="text-decoration: underline">ground</span> terminal 1 to make the motor run.

 

[Guest]

This is two follow-up questions directly related to Greg's question. I have not confirmed this problem, but I highly suspect it.

1. What if my wipers run fine when the engine is not running, but will only make two passes (over and back, over and back), then stop, when the engine is running?

(I think that this is the case, but I am not going to start the engine to confirm this until I have a fellow club-member with me. I do not want to do any more damage, until I find out what is wrong with the engine.)

2. Can the electric motor be lubricated?

I was tickled to turn on the key, pull the switch, and have the wipers run on and one. However, there is a pretty loud "running noise" coming from the electric motor, not the gearbox. Any explanations for this? Lubrication? Something else?

Thanks in advance. Greg, I did not want to steal your thunder, but I think that our problems are pretty closely related.

 

[TR3driver]

1. What if my wipers run fine when the engine is not running, but will only make two passes (over and back, over and back), then stop, when the engine is running?

Given that you've also reported that the engine runs very poorly, I think you may have a bad connection somewhere or perhaps even the ignition switch itself is bad. A bad connection will get hot, and they conduct even worse when they are hot, so it might be that the voltage supplied to both the wiper motor and the ignition coil is falling off over time.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]2. Can the electric motor be lubricated?[/QUOTE]Yes, with care. The part that contains the motor also contains gears and a crank mechanism to translate rotary motion to reciprocating. The gears and crank can be cleaned and lubricated with a lightweight grease.
The motor armature runs in bronze bushings, which can be given just a drop of oil each; or if you prefer, remove them and soak in clean motor oil. But it's important that the brushes and commutator not get contaminated with oil, so don't get too carried away.

The loud "running noise" may indicate that one of the brushes is out of place or worn out, and the brush holder is dragging on the commutator. If so, they will quickly both be ruined, so IMO it's worth checking for that. However, the motors do normally make a certain amount of noise, so there may not be anything wrong.