Front Wiper Motor(s)

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fresco3000
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Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by fresco3000 »

My front wipers (86 Caravelle) are pretty much useless, not that they've been required for some months in this weather.

Is there an upgrade? Is it common for these to go slow?
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tforturton
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by tforturton »

What do you mean by 'useless'? The stock items work pretty well, though you can upgrade by getting the larger blade sets from Brickwerks. If they're not working properly, then there's an issue with the blade, the motor, or the tension in the arm spring. What have you tried so far?
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bigherb
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by bigherb »

Nothing wrong with the original wipers. Usually, it is the wiper spindles are seizing slowing them down.
Remove the wiper arms the plastic cap then the circlip from the end of the spindle, you can them push the spindles in enough to relubricate. First use some light 3 in 1 oil, refit the circlip and operate the wipers that will work in and flush out the old grease and crud, might need a couple of goes then relubricate with grease.
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fresco3000
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by fresco3000 »

By useless I mean slow and ineffective, I checked everything was tight and also replaced the blades.

No joy, still slow. Thought I might need to replace the motors?
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937carrera
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by 937carrera »

Pull the blades off the screen and see how fast the wipers move. If still slow it's the motor, low voltage at the motor or as Bigherb said corrosion in the spindles (most likely)
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fresco3000
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by fresco3000 »

Cheers Guys,

Will follow your advice, hopefully it's the spindles.
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nesty
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by nesty »

Let us know how you get on.
Mine are slow, I now only have 1 setting out of 2 operational (don't have interment wiper setting).
I only have high speed and that replicating low speed or just below speed, think it's time for motor replacement, though spindles, might have a bit to do with it as well!
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by CovKid »

My experience of electric motors is once they have an excessive load on them for a period of time (ie partially seized spindles) it tends to knock the guts out of them anyway.
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nesty
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by nesty »

Sorry to gatecrash the thread with different question.
Though, if I was going to have Windscreen motor and spindle replacement, it's dashboard completely out job right?
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bigherb
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by bigherb »

nesty wrote:Sorry to gatecrash the thread with different question.
Though, if I was going to have Windscreen motor and spindle replacement, it's dashboard completely out job right?
No, they can be replaced from under the dash via the glovebox hole.
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nesty
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by nesty »

bigherb wrote:
nesty wrote:Sorry to gatecrash the thread with different question.
Though, if I was going to have Windscreen motor and spindle replacement, it's dashboard completely out job right?
No, they can be replaced from under the dash via the glovebox hole.

Oh ok thanks, that's good news then. maybe not as much work as I thought!
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by LeeME3 »

nesty wrote: Oh ok thanks, that's good news then. maybe not as much work as I thought!

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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by fresco3000 »

So, removed both wipers and all the nuts/washers etc and discovered the drivers side fixings had almost rusted together. Cleaned them all up, generous helping of WD40 and left them on high speed (not very high) for a while and gradually things sped up and got back to normal.

Thanks again for all the tips guys, just in time for monsoon season!
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

nesty
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by nesty »

fresco3000 wrote:So, removed both wipers and all the nuts/washers etc and discovered the drivers side fixings had almost rusted together. Cleaned them all up, generous helping of WD40 and left them on high speed (not very high) for a while and gradually things sped up and got back to normal.

Thanks again for all the tips guys, just in time for monsoon season!

Nice one. Wouldn't say silicone spray lubricant be better then WD40. I find WD40 leaves a sticky residue after a while?
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fresco3000
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Re: Front Wiper Motor(s)

Post by fresco3000 »

WD40 did the job breaking down the grime and rust, bit of oil/grease applied after cleaning makes sense. Have never used silicone spray, will check it out.
1986 Caravelle GL - Water Cooled - Petrol 2000cc - 5 Speed

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