Windscreen Wiper Failure!!

[Benjamin1983]

I have today lost my windscreen wipers!! The blade just stopped mid way through a cycle. I have had this before and it was the fuse. On this occasion the fuse is intact. Do I need another wiper motor or is there something else between that can go faulty?? In case this makes any difference the windscreen washer works however that blade stays stationary.

[AndyC]

Does the motor run or not? The gearbox can fail but when they go you can normally move the blade by hand or will hear the motor still running.

[Benjamin1983]

Do you know where the motor is? It looked to me on a brief inspection like it might be behind the dash please tell me thats not the case.

[ttedj]

Unfortunatley it is... You can see it if you invert yourself in the drivers footwell and look up.
Enjoy!!
Ted

[amarshall]

Do you have a wash/wipe delay module behind the instrument panel ?

[Benjamin1983]

Ted
Can you get to it by removing the trim that houses the dials or do you need to remove more dash that that??

[ttedj]

Not sure. Just remember seeing it whilst lying in the footwell. I'm sure there is a thread on here somewhere. Worth a search.

Ted

[ttedj]

http://www.lotusexcel.net/phpbb/viewtop ... or+removal

Have a look here. Seems it is harder on pre 86 cars - dash out. Someone must have done it on post 86 cars. Anyone know how easy it is?

Ted

[PeterH]

I did it on my 1989 Excel and I did it with the dash still in the car, I had the instruments out and if I remember it right I also had the heater panel out.
It was not fun or easy but it was possible to do it that way and on my car it was the spiral wire that was broken, SJ had the replacement wire but it was way to long so I had to cut it to suitable length.

[rbgosling]

I've done it on my '90, I had to remove the instrument cluster but nothing else. Not too bad, easier if my hands were smaller!! In my case the nut holding the tube to the motor had come unscrewed - easy fix, but I took the opportunity to remove the motor and give it a good dose of fresh grease anyway.

[BillB]

I have refurbished the wipers on my '90 as well.

It's do-able with the instrument panel removed but you won't want to repeat the exercise so I would suggest you think about putting a new set of brushes into the motor if you have to get it out and re-grease everything.

The brushes are standard Lucas parts, Rimmers do a set that were identical to mine http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-517644A.

Remember to pull a some wire through the spindle hole so that you can guide it back when you're reassembling and it's not too difficult.

Good Luck!
Bill

[MrCoolA]

I have refurbished the wipers on my '90 as well.

It's do-able with the instrument panel removed but you won't want to repeat the exercise so I would suggest you think about putting a new set of brushes into the motor if you have to get it out and re-grease everything.

The brushes are standard Lucas parts, Rimmers do a set that were identical to mine http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-517644A.

Remember to pull a some wire through the spindle hole so that you can guide it back when you're reassembling and it's not too difficult.

Good Luck!
Bill

Rubber tube over the threaded end and watch the sharp bits

[Benjamin1983]

In my case it turned out to be the same as ‘rbgosling‘ the 19mm nut holding the tube to the motor had gotten loose a quick tighten down and wiper was restored. I ended up removing the whole dash and heater matrix to be able to see exactly what was wrong. Thank you to those of you who gave me the links for the new brushes very helpful. This has been my worst job yet a lot of time went in to it. The dash is now 90% back just waiting for some new screws with better heads.

[rbgosling]

Do I win anything for a correct diagnosis??