Windscreen Wiper Problem

[Lovejoy]

Hi everyone, I'm new here. I've just bought a 1999 2.3 Ghia X tonight. Everything seemed OK when I checked it over, but once I was home I realised I hadn't checked the windscreen wipers. And they don't work!

 

When I switch them on, I can hear a buzzing noise which I assume is the motor, but they don't move at all.

 

Can anyone suggest what I should check first?

 

Thanks,

Michael Lovejoy

[seatkid]

Seized mechanism (spindles) - common fault

 

see http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.php/topic/7338-front-wipers-creeping-up-the-screen/?do=findComment&comment=82520

 

and search - lots of other threads with tips/pictures on how to fix

 

Other possibilty is a faulty wiper contol module (water damage to PCB) again search forum for lots of advice on this.

Edited June 10, 2013 by seatkid

[Lovejoy]

Thanks - I was leaning towards a seized mechanism, I just wanted someone else to say it before I went in with the spanners!

The motor makes a noise, and the washer bottles squirt OK, so I don't think it's a fuse problem. I can move the drivers side wiper arm by hand, but the passenger side arm won't budge. I'm guessing that's the seizure.

 

Time to open the toolbox and cross my fingers!

[Lovejoy]

One quick question - my Haynes manual seems to say that I have to take the motor off with the linkage - is this correct? 

[viperclive]

Yep comes out complete.

[Lovejoy]

Thanks - I'll give it a go this morning.

[Lovejoy]

OK, I got the linkage out, and one spindle was tight, but not seized. I've got that one out, clean it up and re-greased it. Problem is, the other side is seized solid. I can't get even a hint of movement. I'm tempted to try and use mole grips on the bottom part to try a loosen it, but I can't help wondering if this might shear it instead... I might try an overnight oil bath first. Or maybe heat - would heat help?

 

The other problem is that the arm connecting the linkage to the motor was not attached. I can only assume it had worked loose due to the seized spindle. Unfortunately, this means I have no idea what the correct position is to reattach it.... is there any way to work that out?

 

Thanks for your help,

Michael Lovejoy

[SilverBeast]

Mine need a 14" Adjustable to turn it when I freed it up.  Give it a good soak in penetrating oil to start with though and work it slowly.  Support the cast outer too while working it and as soon as it starts moving reverse direction.  Basically just keep working it.  From memory I think there is a circlip on top.  If you take that off any any washers the spindle should come out - again work it and take your time.  There are bushes in there but mine was caked solid with grease and stuff.

 

If you turned the wipers off when connected, the motor should have gone to the "park" position.  If you aren't sure just connect it up and run a single sweep (keeping clear of mechanism) before you reassemble. If you haven't removed the motor from the mechanism, or made a note so you can put it back in the same place you should be OK anyway.

[daddyfixit]

the cast alloy ends break off very easily !!!  

 

there is a circlip that needs to come off so you can push the wiper spindle out of the trunnion.

 

I used emery tape to clean up the spindles and then drilled about 4 x   1/8 of an inch holes through the side of the aluminium trunnion---this is so I can drown them with wd40 when they are re-fitted to the car using the straw on the aerosol. 

 

even though I packed grease in when rebuilding, its nice to have the holes drilled for water draining and for spray lubricating.

[Lovejoy]

Well, I'm no further forward... the right hand side spindle is still stuck firm. Using mole grips and all the force I can manage, I can get maybe an 1/8th of a turn from it, but no more. I've drilled 6 holes through the casing and soaked it in WD40 for 2 days now, but it's no better.

 

Unless anyone can suggest another way to loosen it, I reckon I may have to replace it. It's a three bolt linkage. Will a four bolt fit (obviously with one bolt not fitted!) or are the fittings in different places?

 

There's a guy 20 minutes away with a four bolt linkage for sale, y'see...   but if it won't fit, I'll keep looking.

 

Does anyone know?

 

cheers

Michael Lovejoy

[SilverBeast]

If you get a large adjustable spanner on the lever on the opposite end of the spindle to where the wiper fits, and another large spanner on the casting (hold it in a vice) and keep working it.  As it's moving it should eventually work loose, mine took a good hour at least.

 

 I assume you have disconnected the balljoint to the rest of the mechanism (it just prises out if I recall).  

 

With the circlip and rubber o ring off if you fit a (spare) nut half over where the wiper nut would fit you can also tap it lightly with a hammer.  If you can do this while rotating you will be extracting the spindle while also freeing it.  The further you get it through the less contact area you will have and the easier it should get to turn (in theory anyway).  You'll want to take both spindles out to thoroughly clean and lubricate anyway.  I also used emery paper to clean mine up.  Just make sure you keep a note of how it all goes together.  Digital cameras are brilliant for this.

 

I don't believe a four bolt mechanism will fit but can't say for sure.

[SilverBeast]

Just had a quick look on ebay and I'm pretty sure the four bolt mechanism won't fit as where the spindles come out looks completely different.

[Lovejoy]

Thanks for the help - I'll keep working on it and see if I can loosen it any more... and I'll have a quick ebay hunt for a 3 bolt linkage just in case.

 

cheers

Michael