Windscreen Wipers not working at all NOW FIXED!

[tickman]

Got in the car tonight and the wipers would not work at all.
got out the diagram and had a look but ended up no further forward.
also had a bit of a play about with it and could not get it to work.

could someone give me a push in the right direction, for example where i should get 12Volts in the circuit?
Should there be any voltage at the switch as i have none.

all this done in the dark which does not help any.

john.

[Willie]

Your car is a late model going by your pic. So, you should have 12V when the ignition is on at the GREEN wire. (the wipers are 'live' all the time when ignition is on) and you operate them by supplying an earth on the BLACK/GREEN wire
via the wiper switch BUT this earth is connected to the 'E' terminal on the
CONTROL BOX. This 'E' terminal is connected to earth under a bolt head
on the engine side of the bulkhead about seven inches below the fuse block hidden behind the vertical wiring loom. Check that this is a good clean connection. If the wiring checks out it could be worn brushes which can be changed in situ with a little care.

[tickman]

Thanks Willie, i will hopefully get to see it in daylight tomorrow, otherwise it is a saturday job.
thanks again for the info.
john.

[minor_hickup]

One thing to check is that they are not siezed. Its most likely an electrical fault, but its worth removing the lid from the wiper gearbox, marking the position of park with a pencil and making sure it all turns. Take the opportunity to scrape out the nasty grease that will have turned to gum and re-lubricate.

[Willie]

JOHN, with the wiring info I gave you you will realise that the easiest course of action is to switch on the ignition and then supply a connection from the chassis to the Green/Black terminal which should operate the wipers immediately. (Do not leave the igntion on for long without the engine running).

[bigginger]

Do not leave the igntion on for long without the engine running).

It'll cook the coil, apparently, so you could disconnect that if you want to leave it on for a while

[Willie]

Yes, with the engine not running the points will always be closed on the
minor engines which means the coil is part of a short to chassis which will burn it out. With the engine running the points are opening and closing so this does not apply.

[tickman]

supply a connection from the chassis to the Green/Black terminal which should operate the wipers immediately.

sorry for not replying, mad weekend so far and already sunday night.
still not had chance to check this in daylight as it has been lashing with rain all weekend and various other things have got in the way. hopefully i will get to it tomorrow and i will update you as it goes.
first plan is to use a meter to check for power at the motor when switched on then depending on the result either twist my self into weird positions under the dash or swap the motor for a spare i have (condition unknown but to be checked before fitting if needed)

quite a lot said considering i have not done anything
john

[tickman]

All sorted!

there was a problem with the green wire to the motor, after a lot of time wondering what on earth the readings i was getting on the meter were i tried another piece of wire to the motor supplying 12volts when the ignition is on and hey presto it workes.

also discovered i had 2 spares of unknown condition! one of them with the full rack attached that does work so at least i have a spare if needed.

thanks again to all without their help i would still be wiperless(especially Willie)

[rayofleamington]

Well done for getting it sorted

a lot of time wondering what on earth the readings i was getting on the meter were

12V on a meter doesn't mean that the circuit will work - sadly this can cause a LOT of confusion (been there done that on a horn circuit - 12V but no horn ). The most reliable way to check a circuit is with a bulb tester - if it will power (or ground) a 20w bulb making it shine bright, then it definately works.