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Wipers won't work
Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 10:18
by Tanz
Went to Club Lotus meeting last night - when I came out it was pouring down. Switched on wipers - nothing
They have been playing up for some time. Symptoms being, repeated relay clicking noise from behind the dash but wipers working. Then, wipers sometimes working - then not working - then working again.
This thread looks just what I need - could be considered to be added to the Technical Articles. Has good links to other threads on the same subject. I notice that I posted in 2011 the same problem I have now but this time the wipers have died completely.
http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... ers#p69929
Any advice or help welcome
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Tue Mar 07, 2017 23:03
by robertverhey
The problem may be in relays which may have taken in water (and fact that it was raining may have some relevance here), or in the Pektron derby wiper module behind the gauges. In my case it was the latter. And problem was that the wipers wouldn't switch off!. Replacement was the only solution. I got one from Lotusbits for 30 quid from memory.
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 13:42
by Tanz
robertverhey wrote:The problem may be in relays which may have taken in water (and fact that it was raining may have some relevance here), or in the Pektron derby wiper module behind the gauges. In my case it was the latter. And problem was that the wipers wouldn't switch off!. Replacement was the only solution. I got one from Lotusbits for 30 quid from memory.
I think you are on to something here. I am in the process of changing my carpets and after pulling up the old carpet I noticed that the under lay/sound deadening was wet in the drivers footwell. Further investigation revealed that the speedo cable grommet had popped out of its hole in the bulkhead. Since putting that back in I have had no leaks but I guess the damage to the
wiper relay may have been done. Have ordered one from LotusBits. You were spot on £30. If it isn't that at least I will have a spare.
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 19:31
by Tanz
Driving home from work today (no rain) tried the wipers and they are working again - but a bit slow.
The car has had 2 days dry so maybe something has dried out and started working again. Will still get the dash out at the weekend and have a look as something is obviously wrong.
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2017 20:48
by CHRISYD
maybe just the motor needs an internal clean and grease (and the rod between the motor and spindle)
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 20:48
by Tanz
Got round to removing the
wiper motor yesterday. Came out without much fuss but suspect it could be another story when trying to get it back in.
The spindle sealing washer fell apart and seamed to be made of some fibre material. Hadn't noticed any water ingress.
Stripping the
motor revealed that the brush with the yellow wire was well worn down and all the brushes were sticking and not able to slide up and down as they should. The commutator was very dirty and slightly scored. I guess I could have cleaned everything and it would probably have worked but while it was out I might as well refurb it and hope it dosen't have to come out again.
I tried to source new brushes locally but no joy so have ordered some on e bay - suitable for a range rover - look the same.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/Land-Rov ... RTM2108002
Took everything apart - cleaned and re-greased. Just waiting for the new brushes to arrive now.
Before taking it apart
2 Questions
When clamping the spindle onto the 'rod' - how do you know you have got it at the right angle? Could cause problems when re fitting if the angle is wrong.
If I want to test it works before re-fitting, I have a battery I can connect to it but what do I connect it to?
Is the Yellow wire common and the other two just reverse it?
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 20:53
by Hawaiis0
Blue - Earth
Red - Fast side
Yellow - slow side
Think there should be 2 more wires
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2017 21:57
by Tanz
Hawaiis0 wrote:Blue - Earth
Red - Fast side
Yellow - slow side
Think there should be 2 more wires
There are 5 going into the
wiper motor parking switch and three coming out the switch to the
motor.
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 08:27
by John
You may find the following useful;
http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... =27&t=9335
I can't see the steel bush in amongst the cleaned parts in your picture. It goes on the end of the
motor shaft to give end float adjustment.
I used threadlock on the gearbox cover nuts and also on the ferrule nut. If you nip up the ferrule nut to take out any slop but not too tight you'll be able to twist the drive shaft/gearbox around on re-fitting to get the angle right, and the threadlock should stop it working loose once in place. I agree you can't figure the correct angle with the
motor out of the car, so that's how I did mine.
Cheers
John
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 13:44
by Tanz
John wrote:You may find the following useful;
http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... =27&t=9335
I can't see the steel bush in amongst the cleaned parts in your picture. It goes on the end of the
motor shaft to give end float adjustment.
I used threadlock on the gearbox cover nuts and also on the ferrule nut. If you nip up the ferrule nut to take out any slop but not too tight you'll be able to twist the drive shaft/gearbox around on re-fitting to get the angle right, and the threadlock should stop it working loose once in place. I agree you can't figure the correct angle with the
motor out of the car, so that's how I did mine.
Cheers
Thanks for the help John. I had read your post before and found it very useful. The steel bush is in another pot with the screws etc. Will use your method to get the angle right - sounds good to me. Just waiting for the brushes now. I need the car to get to work and it's raining! Will have to use the family Ford Focus Estate.
John
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2017 20:11
by CHRISYD
I think if you put it back exactly the same as your "before" pic, it shuld be ok. just put the spindle and rd back into the car then feed the inner rod into the outer rod. you can fine tune the arm when you put it back on.
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 23:26
by Pjr
Good work. Funnily enough my wipers stopped part way across the screen today when the ignition was turned off and then wouldnt move when i drove off. When i moved the wiper by hand all was well - in fact better than before.
Is there a Lucas part number on the wiper? It looks like a classic mini one. I was thinking of changing mine as it is a daily driver and wiper loss is pretty inconvenient/dangerous!
Thanks
Phil
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 08:30
by Hawaiis0
Due to this being a regular topic, I suggest use of RainX water dispersal liquid. Screen will clear by wind flow no need for wipers
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 09:42
by Lotus-e-Clan
Hawaiis0 wrote:Due to this being a regular topic, I suggest use of RainX water dispersal liquid. Screen will clear by wind flow no need for wipers
I don't believe Lotus got the rear screen aero right as claimed ..I think they added a few RainX molecules to the glass!
Hmmm ..thinking about it ..that could be a Dragon's Den winner!
Re: Wipers won't work
Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 13:51
by Tanz
Pjr wrote:Good work. Funnily enough my wipers stopped part way across the screen today when the ignition was turned off and then wouldnt move when i drove off. When i moved the wiper by hand all was well - in fact better than before.
Is there a Lucas part number on the wiper? It looks like a classic mini one. I was thinking of changing mine as it is a daily driver and wiper loss is pretty inconvenient/dangerous!
Thanks
Phil
I think what happens is the brushes get stuck. They have grooves in the side and should slide inwards as they wear, but they get covered in dirt and don't move therefore not making contact with the commutator. If you drive around for a bit the vibration seems to move them and they work again for awhile. The brush set is the same as Land rover so could be same as a Mini.