Windshield Wiper Operation and Cold Weather

[Urchin]

Not long ago, I posted a mention of getting my '80 Spider through its annual required inspection. One of the quirky moments involved the wipers, which required that I thaw out the windshield wiper cable with a hair dryer. Only after that would the wipers work as required for a sticker. Then, of course, I had to rebuild the rear brake on the right side.

So once all the work was completed, the mechanic wanted a couple of more days to complete the inspection. He gave it a sticker and then we received 2 snowstorms in 3 days.

He had nicely left the car in his shop until yesterday when it sat outside in the storm. Trying to move it, he got it stuck in a snowbank, encased in ice, and gave up. That's when I picked it up this afternoon.

It took some shoveling and some rocking of the car in gear, but I got it out. Then I touched the wiper stalk to clear the windshield. Error! Error, Will Robinson!!!

Now the wipers are stuck in the upright position, as if they were flipping me the bird. They won't move. When I moved the stalk, I saw the ignition lamps dim slightly, so I assume it's getting power.

Gently moving the wipers finally got them down, but they would not move at all under power. Now they were working inside the shop, and the fuses all look fine. Besides, the lights dim as if something is trying to move.

So do you think that I am finally having to look at a new wiper and cable unit? They appear to be one unit to me.

Jeff





Jeffrey Aronson
P.O. Box 90
Vinalhaven, ME 04863
USA
'80 TR-7 Spider
'66 Land Rover Series II-A [2]
'66 Corvair Monza

[Urchin]

As a cold weather followup, I drove the car home and into its parking spot in the cleared out snowbank. As the sun set and I looked out at the car, I saw a strange light coming from underneath the front. When it was fully dark, I realized those were the headlights shining straight down. Fearing that the headlight switch had been pushed up by accident, and that the pods were frozen in place [and not wanting them to burn out], I scrambled outside in the cold.

I opened the car door and noticed the problem was not the switch, but the hi/low beam stalk. It was stuck in the "flash headlights" position!

I pushed back on it and the lights went off. Everything seems frozen on the car, and the temperatures will drop to well below 0 F tonight.

Jeff

Jeffrey Aronson
P.O. Box 90
Vinalhaven, ME 04863
USA
'80 TR-7 Spider
'66 Land Rover Series II-A [2]
'66 Corvair Monza

[TR7_FHC]

had the same problem with mine, in that every time it rained the wipers would stop working.

it is possiable to open up the wiper motor and clean it, in my case there was water leaking into the case shorting out the brushes and comm.

I ended up completly stripping the wiper motor and the cable unit, it seemed pretty robust and cleaned up well though i did get the commutator skimmed on a lathe.

if you go down the rebuild route it gives you the chance to clean the park switch and re-ajust it as well.

not sure if the LHD car is the same as a RHD but all i had to remove to get the unit out was the wiper arms, wheelboxes and a single screw that clamped the motor in.


hope this helps

[paul w]

The wipers are playing up on my wedge too.Put 'em on
upon starting car to leave work.Could not stop them
whatever position i moved the switch.Eventually they
stopped, pointing skywards.Got home,ignition off,then
back on and wipers parked themselves.Switched back on
and same problem occured.Is this the park switch thingy?
I will disect the wiper motor this weekend and have a
go at fixing it.

See ya. Paul

[sst]

If your lights are on when the headlights are down, then you probably need to replace your highbeam/indicator switch.. I had the same problem after the inspection guy broke mine.. After I replaced that switch eveything was fine again..

When your lights are on with the headlights down, can you tell if its actually the high beams that are on? Check your dash for the highbeam light.. that's what mine was doing - switch was broken, so the switch would move back and forth crankin gup the high beams, even tho the headlights were down..

Son of a .... THATS gonna leave a mark!

[bmcecosse]

Sounds like the wiper cable etc is soaking wet - and just freezing up. Wait till the weather warms up - or remove everything and take it indoors for thawing/inspection/greasing.