Wipers (urgent input needed if poss :)).
Discussion
Took a slightly different approach - looked at the weather forecasts and elected to get home before the rain I'd gone through caught up 
So the immediate rush is over...
Looked in the manual and it notes the wiper fuse is shared with main beam flash - as the main beam flash works, I'm assuming that fuse is OK. (?)
Relay-wise, the only one mentioned is "wash/wiper delay" (no9?). I'm assuming if this has gone faulty it could stop the wipers working altogether?
If not, threads on here seem to point to a dead motor or wiper gearbox? Or park switch - though the wipers are dead with the stalk in any position so am assuming it's not this?
Wipers had been working fine in all speed settings. I'd flicked them on to clear a bit of rain and at that point they died
Any input/ideas gratefully received.
So the immediate rush is over...Looked in the manual and it notes the wiper fuse is shared with main beam flash - as the main beam flash works, I'm assuming that fuse is OK. (?)
Relay-wise, the only one mentioned is "wash/wiper delay" (no9?). I'm assuming if this has gone faulty it could stop the wipers working altogether?
If not, threads on here seem to point to a dead motor or wiper gearbox? Or park switch - though the wipers are dead with the stalk in any position so am assuming it's not this?
Wipers had been working fine in all speed settings. I'd flicked them on to clear a bit of rain and at that point they died
Any input/ideas gratefully received.
If the park switch fails, I think they simply stop wherever you turn them off (ie they don't 'park')
I'd check for 12V at the motor before pulling any relays. The plug can be disconnected and a check made there, although you may wish to loosen the clamp around the motor body to make this easier. I don't have a wiring diagram to hand to identify wire colours but it should be accessible somewhere on the wibbly wobbly web.
I'd check for 12V at the motor before pulling any relays. The plug can be disconnected and a check made there, although you may wish to loosen the clamp around the motor body to make this easier. I don't have a wiring diagram to hand to identify wire colours but it should be accessible somewhere on the wibbly wobbly web.
Thanks for that.
Having never addressed a wiper motor before, how do they fit?
I can see two bolts holding the main motor body in place. Can I just undo the nut for the end coming out of the gearbox? I'm assuming there's a rod or something that goes into that end? And is that rigid?
The body bolts definitely need loosening on mine to get to the plug, but am wondering what else I could damage in the process
Having never addressed a wiper motor before, how do they fit?
I can see two bolts holding the main motor body in place. Can I just undo the nut for the end coming out of the gearbox? I'm assuming there's a rod or something that goes into that end? And is that rigid?
The body bolts definitely need loosening on mine to get to the plug, but am wondering what else I could damage in the process
Murph7355 said:
Took a slightly different approach - looked at the weather forecasts and elected to get home before the rain I'd gone through caught up So the immediate rush is over...
Looked in the manual and it notes the wiper fuse is shared with main beam flash - as the main beam flash works, I'm assuming that fuse is OK. (?)
Relay-wise, the only one mentioned is "wash/wiper delay" (no9?). I'm assuming if this has gone faulty it could stop the wipers working altogether?
If not, threads on here seem to point to a dead motor or wiper gearbox? Or park switch - though the wipers are dead with the stalk in any position so am assuming it's not this?
Wipers had been working fine in all speed settings. I'd flicked them on to clear a bit of rain and at that point they died
Any input/ideas gratefully received.
I had exactly the same problem, turned out the motor had failed so I took the opportunity to invest in an uprated one , the wipers work way better now So the immediate rush is over...Looked in the manual and it notes the wiper fuse is shared with main beam flash - as the main beam flash works, I'm assuming that fuse is OK. (?)
Relay-wise, the only one mentioned is "wash/wiper delay" (no9?). I'm assuming if this has gone faulty it could stop the wipers working altogether?
If not, threads on here seem to point to a dead motor or wiper gearbox? Or park switch - though the wipers are dead with the stalk in any position so am assuming it's not this?
Wipers had been working fine in all speed settings. I'd flicked them on to clear a bit of rain and at that point they died
Any input/ideas gratefully received.
Edited by eff eff on Monday 10th July 21:22
To remove wiper motor.
Undo the clamp and pull it away. Undo the large nut on the gearbox. Pull the motor assembly sideways sort of horizontally. This will pull a worm drive wire from the wiper arm boxes. The motor is very simple and you easily buy and replace the brushes and park switch both readily available
Undo the clamp and pull it away. Undo the large nut on the gearbox. Pull the motor assembly sideways sort of horizontally. This will pull a worm drive wire from the wiper arm boxes. The motor is very simple and you easily buy and replace the brushes and park switch both readily available
From ex Auto sparks....retired now at 80 years....just to advise how to check circuits before getting new motor.....unplug motor wire plug....With wiper switch OFF....Ignition on...have a 12v test lamp, or meter...you must have one wire live 12v...OK [ thats for the parking side ]....now put switch to First position ...ie..slow speed...you will now have one other wire at the plug live 12v...OK...move switch to Fast speed...another wire will at the plug be live 12v...that tells you circuits OK...a Delay relay faulty or not will not stop wipers working on speeds...but upset the parking of wipers only...make certain the Black wire at motor is infact earth negative-...test lamp on live....then on Black must light lamp. just in case there is a earth fault...unlikely ...but check as this will kill wipers. hope of Help. Peter
Thanks guys. Really appreciate the input.
Removal:
All bolts came off OK - am assuming the large one on the worm drive should just come off the wiper motor assembly.
Pulling it out, however, wasn't happening
When they failed, the wipers stopped in their arc towards the driver's side. When I try and pull the motor out horizontally, they go further over to the driver's side (to complete their arc) but then the whole thing jams with the worm drive maybe an inch or so further out from where it started. Have tried giving it a good old heave, but it does not want to come out. Am assuming it's because the motor drive has to go over the point where it returns the wipers.
(I haven't tried this yet, but would it help to wind it out, if I have space?).
Electrics:
I seem to have three pins (of 5 on the block I think - assuming one of the others is earth and the 5th something to do with park?) that give a reading in the three positions of the stalk (off, speed 1 and speed 2). Readings aren't especially stable but I think that's more to do with my meter technique (keeping a steady black probe connection on the engine block whilst trying to get the red probe into the switch block pins).
So not 100% conclusive, but think that means the switch and general electrical connection is OK.
Removal:
All bolts came off OK - am assuming the large one on the worm drive should just come off the wiper motor assembly.
Pulling it out, however, wasn't happening
When they failed, the wipers stopped in their arc towards the driver's side. When I try and pull the motor out horizontally, they go further over to the driver's side (to complete their arc) but then the whole thing jams with the worm drive maybe an inch or so further out from where it started. Have tried giving it a good old heave, but it does not want to come out. Am assuming it's because the motor drive has to go over the point where it returns the wipers.
(I haven't tried this yet, but would it help to wind it out, if I have space?).
Electrics:
I seem to have three pins (of 5 on the block I think - assuming one of the others is earth and the 5th something to do with park?) that give a reading in the three positions of the stalk (off, speed 1 and speed 2). Readings aren't especially stable but I think that's more to do with my meter technique (keeping a steady black probe connection on the engine block whilst trying to get the red probe into the switch block pins).
So not 100% conclusive, but think that means the switch and general electrical connection is OK.
Murph7355 said:
Thanks guys. Really appreciate the input.
Removal:
All bolts came off OK - am assuming the large one on the worm drive should just come off the wiper motor assembly.
Pulling it out, however, wasn't happening
When they failed, the wipers stopped in their arc towards the driver's side. When I try and pull the motor out horizontally, they go further over to the driver's side (to complete their arc) but then the whole thing jams with the worm drive maybe an inch or so further out from where it started. Have tried giving it a good old heave, but it does not want to come out. Am assuming it's because the motor drive has to go over the point where it returns the wipers.
(I haven't tried this yet, but would it help to wind it out, if I have space?).
Electrics:
I seem to have three pins (of 5 on the block I think - assuming one of the others is earth and the 5th something to do with park?) that give a reading in the three positions of the stalk (off, speed 1 and speed 2). Readings aren't especially stable but I think that's more to do with my meter technique (keeping a steady black probe connection on the engine block whilst trying to get the red probe into the switch block pins).
So not 100% conclusive, but think that means the switch and general electrical connection is OK.
Hello, has anyone advised you that the wiper arms must be removed if attempting to pull the motor with rack connected out of the guide tubes and wheel-boxes?Removal:
All bolts came off OK - am assuming the large one on the worm drive should just come off the wiper motor assembly.
Pulling it out, however, wasn't happening
When they failed, the wipers stopped in their arc towards the driver's side. When I try and pull the motor out horizontally, they go further over to the driver's side (to complete their arc) but then the whole thing jams with the worm drive maybe an inch or so further out from where it started. Have tried giving it a good old heave, but it does not want to come out. Am assuming it's because the motor drive has to go over the point where it returns the wipers.
(I haven't tried this yet, but would it help to wind it out, if I have space?).
Electrics:
I seem to have three pins (of 5 on the block I think - assuming one of the others is earth and the 5th something to do with park?) that give a reading in the three positions of the stalk (off, speed 1 and speed 2). Readings aren't especially stable but I think that's more to do with my meter technique (keeping a steady black probe connection on the engine block whilst trying to get the red probe into the switch block pins).
So not 100% conclusive, but think that means the switch and general electrical connection is OK.
If the motor and rack can't be pulled out when the arms have been removed the rack will be seized in the guide tubes and or wheel-boxes
Electrics
Has anyone advised you to disconnect the motor ASAP
If the ignition is switched on with the wiper arms stuck on the screen out of their park position there is a very good chance that the motor will burn out rather than a wiper circuit fuse blowing
If you do manage to pull the rack out after removing the arms, check the wheel-boxes spindles turn freely
If the rack won't pull out, disconnect the rack from the gear drive arm, remove motor and try turning the wheel boxes by refitting the arms to their spindles and using them as levers to turn the spindles which all being good will force the rack out
Edited by Polly Grigora on Monday 10th July 12:52
Murph7355 said:
eff eff said:
I had exactly the same problem, turned out the motor had filed so I took the opportunity to invest in an uprated one , the wipers work way better now
Do you have any links/details?Did you replace it yourself?
The motors were available from Racing Green, maybe Motaclan have them now
Next step...
Wiper arms removed and the motor pulled out fine.
Spindles turn by hand, but one is much easier than the other - the driver's side one is stiff. Can still turn with thumb and finger, but noticeably stiffer than the other.
Will get on the hunt for a new motor.
Edited to add - thank you all for your continued help! I'm pretty sure I'm going to need more
Wiper arms removed and the motor pulled out fine.
Spindles turn by hand, but one is much easier than the other - the driver's side one is stiff. Can still turn with thumb and finger, but noticeably stiffer than the other.
Will get on the hunt for a new motor.
Edited to add - thank you all for your continued help! I'm pretty sure I'm going to need more
Update time.
Sent the motor off to Adrian Venn - top guy. Very quick turnaround. Motor came back looking brand new. Loads of good advice from Adrian too.
I do have a problem with one of my wiper boxes (driver's side). Passenger spins when I twist it with my fingers (spins on at least half a turn). Driver's side does not.
I can turn the driver's side with my fingers, but it doesn't spin.
Have tried WD40 down the spindle, which helped a bit. But it's still stiff. So next job will, I suspect, be seeing how that can be sorted.
Does anyone have pictures of what they cut in theirs to access these? I've read you can go in behind the dash (not thanks!) or from the engine bay (seems a better option)...presumably the perforated grille needs to come off, then you take out a hole in the fibreglass (who the f*ck didn't put an access hole/panel in here at design time!?). Can't find any pictures though.
Wiper motor now works fine, and for emergencies it's OK. But I suspect if I don't sort the wiper box it'll mess up the motor again. So will need sorting.
Sent the motor off to Adrian Venn - top guy. Very quick turnaround. Motor came back looking brand new. Loads of good advice from Adrian too.
I do have a problem with one of my wiper boxes (driver's side). Passenger spins when I twist it with my fingers (spins on at least half a turn). Driver's side does not.
I can turn the driver's side with my fingers, but it doesn't spin.
Have tried WD40 down the spindle, which helped a bit. But it's still stiff. So next job will, I suspect, be seeing how that can be sorted.
Does anyone have pictures of what they cut in theirs to access these? I've read you can go in behind the dash (not thanks!) or from the engine bay (seems a better option)...presumably the perforated grille needs to come off, then you take out a hole in the fibreglass (who the f*ck didn't put an access hole/panel in here at design time!?). Can't find any pictures though.
Wiper motor now works fine, and for emergencies it's OK. But I suspect if I don't sort the wiper box it'll mess up the motor again. So will need sorting.
Belle427 said:
Maybe try some 3 in 1 oil in there, or even feed the drive cable back in with some light greasing to see if it helps get it free.
Drive cable was lightly greased and have tried putting lubricant down the shaft - there's very little space for any to soak down.I suspect there may be crud in there that's gumming things. The design of the box is pretty basic from what I can see on the Web, and whilst there's bugger all space to lube it, there are plenty of places where crud could get in.
The design seems poor, with no ready access to the boxes. I've read cutting is required to get at them.
When one of the drives popped off on my 1999 Chimaera I helped my TVR expert to fix it.
It was an absolute sod, took both of us to do it becuase it was so awkwardly placed. .
Basically it was dash top off, move stuff around/out of the way, and then dead center and right under the screen there is a glued in fibreglass panel (which I remember as being about 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall) that you need to lever/cut out using brute force and a knife to get at the mechanism.
This may all be different if your Griff is earlier, as the ones with the wiper motor clearly visible under the bonnet look to be more readily accesible.
It was an absolute sod, took both of us to do it becuase it was so awkwardly placed. .
Basically it was dash top off, move stuff around/out of the way, and then dead center and right under the screen there is a glued in fibreglass panel (which I remember as being about 6 inches wide by 3 inches tall) that you need to lever/cut out using brute force and a knife to get at the mechanism.
This may all be different if your Griff is earlier, as the ones with the wiper motor clearly visible under the bonnet look to be more readily accesible.
You could try lubricating the tight spindle by pushing a 300 mm or longer rubber hose over its outer sleeve and filling it with penetrating oil, tape the hose to the screen in a vertical position and there will be no other place for the lubricant to go but down
Better job is to fit new wheel-boxes, once they go tight they run with friction and degrade over time
Better job is to fit new wheel-boxes, once they go tight they run with friction and degrade over time
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