wiper problem

[EMGEBE]

Hi guys,
With my continuing efforts to put up with constant problems /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonod.gif I have found recently that my wipers have just STOPPED working...

It all started to occur when i was driving on a 2 hour trip and my wipers seemed to just stop dead in the sweeping cycle, then start a few minutes later... This was happening for about a week.
Now they simply do not work at all...
A few people told me that my switch may have been dicky,Ive checked the switch, everything seems to be in order

Would it be possible that the mechanical mechanism that makes them "wipe" has died in the arse?

As far as i can tell everything electrically seems to be in order (but im not a genious in a electrical sence) Do any of u guys have any ideas as to what i can try?

Cheers
Jarrod

 

[usasma]

I have a similar problem with a Chevrolet truck. It's most likely that either the wiper linkage is binding (from dust/dirt) or it's a problem with the wiper motor. With my truck it was the dirt and dust from the desert environment (I lived in El Paso, TX then). Dunno if the MG's are setup the same as my truck - but the key is finding out if the motor is being stalled by the linkage or if it's just not working. In mine, if you pulled on the wipers while the switch is on you could feel the wiper motor straining to push the blades.

Hope this helps!

 

[EMGEBE]

Oh rightio

Yeh thanks for the advice, ill give that a try! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif

Cheers
Jarrod

 

[beebopbogo]

I've had a similar problem with my Saturn. The wipers would sometimes stop, then go, irratically. The problem turned out to be the arm connection. The grooves were worn out at the very base of the arm, causing the arm to lose grip on the rotating "stub" at the motor. Hmmmm, easier seen than explained. Anyway, that's another thing to check.

1) Is the wiper motor running continuously? If so, perhaps
it's slippage at the arm base.
2) Can you hear the motor change in pitch, meaning it's
stalling out?
3) Is the motor cutting out? Perhaps it's a switch problem.
Or a motor problem. Time to get out the handy-dandy
amp-meter.

I had a funny problem once where the wipers would start running at random times, like riding over railroad tracks, or turning on the blinkers. That turned out to be a switch problem, requiring a bit of resoldering under the steering wheel console.

 

[JTB]

Have been through several months getting mine sorted out. Worth it to pull the wipers off, unscrew the nut where the motor attaches to the wiper box tube set up, disconnect the wire connector unit, unbolt the bracket that holds the motor and pull the motor out. The cable will still be attached. I usually then wrap it in plastic to keep from getting slimed while I work with it and use rubber gloves. Then pull the wire back down as far as you can from under the dash and attach it to the motor while holding it. Then turn ignition key on and operate wiper switch and see what happens. If it goes on and stays on then perhaps it is binding somehow which means removing the wiper boxes and seeing what's up. A real pain in the arse that job is. The wiper park switch (where the electric plug plugs in) can get dodgey, I guess. Haven't had it fail yet. The motor runs continuously while the wipers are on with the back and forth motion accomlished by the cable being attached to a connector that hooks it up to the wheel inside the box and the motion of the wheel pulling the wiper back and forth. There is a cam or bump under that wheel that depresses a post that goes up into the limit switch and turns the wipers off when shut off at the dash or steering column switch. Highly suggest cleaning the motor or having it cleaned. Cost about $20-30. Pretty simple system once you get in there. As long as you are getting power to the appropriate wires at the wiper when switch is on then it must be mechanical. The switch circuit is described here:
https://www.vtr.org/maintain/wiper-motor/