Intermittent wiper problem

[Johnwindwood]

Guys

Used the wipers today. When I switched them off, they continued to intermittent wipe. Tried the suggested methods to switch this off-pulling stalk towards the wheel etc and nothing will switch it off!
Is there an intermittent relay somewhere I can remove? (It's a 1984/5 car.) Can't really use the car until sorted in case it damages the screen !

Thanks

[Lotus Jim]

Hello John,
I think as your car is an early Excel, that it will have a Lucas 6DA wiper module. The issue you describe is similar to an issue that I have witness in DeLorean's. These vehicles also utilise the same Lucas 6DA wiper module (albeit with slightly different internal components and resistors). These wiper modules are now getting to an age where they start failing and doing weird stuff.

I am unsure where the wiper module is located in an early Excel (I will dig out the manual later when I get a moment) however if it is the 6DA type, it is possible that you can bypass it until you source a new one. This is achieved by disconnecting the two leads that plug into the module and then just plugging them together (as one is a 5 pin male and the other is a 5 pin female).

If after bypassing the module, it still continues to wipe when switched off, then it is likely to be a wiring fault or switch issue. With the 6DA module bypassed you will have the slow and fast wiper speeds, but no intermittent wipe. You may only have a part "wash wipe" function.

If your car does not have this module type, it will sadly be some other issue. Which maybe the module.

Jim

[Johnwindwood]

Thanks Jim-that's useful.

An update-this problem only occurs when the wipers are used on any setting-if I stop, switch off and restart it goes back to normal until I use the wipers again. So it seems that intermittent is self activating and won't turn off until power is cut.

Can anyone confirm which type of module mine will have and where it's located?

Cheers

[Lotus Jim]

That sounds very Lucas 6DA-esq! Give me a moment I'll just pop to the garage and grab the workshop manual. I need a break from work for a minute!
Jim

[Lotus Jim]

According to the workshop manual the windscreen wipe delay unit (its black and has Lucas 6DA embossed on it) is located on the pedal box assembly in the drivers footwell. When bypassing it, leave it in situ as the earth for the wipers mount to its casing. Lotusbits should have some untested second hand ones. If they don't, they will have by the end of the week as I'm dropping off a couple of Lotus Excel ones which I was hoping were compatible with DeLorean ones, but sadly aren't!
Jim

[richardw]

My Elite S2 has the same wiper motor as the early Excel. On my car I get intermittent wipe if I switch the wipers on and off again quickly (basically turning off on the first wiper arc.) I then have to switch them on and off again to stop intermittent wipe. This isn't documented in the handbook - I found out by trial and error. Could this be what's happening to you?

Good luck, Richard

[Lotus Jim]

I don't know how the wiper system works in the early Excel, however in a DeLorean, the intermittent function is switched on and off by holding the stalk down for a few seconds and then allowing the stalk to spring back. However I think if you push it upwards to the half or full wiper speed settings, it automatically cancels for the intermittent function when you turn the wipers off. Does that sound the same for early Excels / S2.2 Elites and Eclats or does the wiper function work in a different way?
Jim

[Johnwindwood]

Thanks guys-this has all been really useful. The Lucas 6DA is an easy fix-my mate is a Lucas specialist and has them new on the shelf-also fitted to various Austin Rover cars of the period.
Think I'll just change it and see what happens.

Out of interest, does anyone know what car the early square end column stalks are from? They look SD1 or Sherpa to me......

[CHRISYD]

if they are the same as eclat and elite, they are triumph.

[richardw]

I don't know how the wiper system works in the early Excel, however in a DeLorean, the intermittent function is switched on and off by holding the stalk down for a few seconds and then allowing the stalk to spring back. However I think if you push it upwards to the half or full wiper speed settings, it automatically cancels for the intermittent function when you turn the wipers off. Does that sound the same for early Excels / S2.2 Elites and Eclats or does the wiper function work in a different way?
Jim

The switch on the early Excels and late Elites/Eclats has just 3 positions - off, on and fast. On my car you can also pull it back but that doesn't do anything (it would be useful if it was a flick wipe.) And depress the end of the stalk for screen wash, but this doesn't activate the wiper.

ATB Richard

[don.hasi]

The switch on the early Excels and late Elites/Eclats has just 3 positions - off, on and fast.

I have another... I could command it to wipe just one single time. I think it is the back one? Have to look at it again

[CHRISYD]

I don't know how the wiper system works in the early Excel, however in a DeLorean, the intermittent function is switched on and off by holding the stalk down for a few seconds and then allowing the stalk to spring back. However I think if you push it upwards to the half or full wiper speed settings, it automatically cancels for the intermittent function when you turn the wipers off. Does that sound the same for early Excels / S2.2 Elites and Eclats or does the wiper function work in a different way?
Jim

The switch on the early Excels and late Elites/Eclats has just 3 positions - off, on and fast. On my car you can also pull it back but that doesn't do anything (it would be useful if it was a flick wipe.) And depress the end of the stalk for screen wash, but this doesn't activate the wiper.

ATB Richard

if they are the same as triumph type, when you "flash" the stork towards you, it used to do one wipe.

[don.hasi]

The switch on the early Excels and late Elites/Eclats has just 3 positions - off, on and fast.

I have another... I could command it to wipe just one single time. I think it is the back one? Have to look at it again

Like chrisyd said, i have checked it this afternoon, if I pull the stalk it just wipes for 1time

[richardw]

The switch on the early Excels and late Elites/Eclats has just 3 positions - off, on and fast.

I have another... I could command it to wipe just one single time. I think it is the back one? Have to look at it again

Like chrisyd said, i have checked it this afternoon, if I pull the stalk it just wipes for 1time

I clearly need to check my stalk!

[CHRISYD]

with regards to dodgy intermittent wipe, today I fixed mine!!!! it wasn't actually the wiper module, there is a square plug along the loom nearer to the stork after the 7 pin module plug that had a corroded connection between a green wire in from the module end to a yellow wire from the stork end. cut the wires from the plug and joined them together and.... yippee!!! working intermittent.