GS wipers, speed or lack thereof

[macplaxton]

I've got some dead wipers, but haven't delved into it yet. I might need another wiper motor whilst I look into it.

At the moment there is no movement when switched to first or second speed at the switch. I don't think it's the fuse as it has a 4 fuse box and from memory the clock works on the same circuit.

Past hazy memory notes:
Very slow sweep on a dryish screen.
Just about acceptable sweep speed on a wet screen.
Second speed about 0.0001% quicker than speed one.
It did go through a phase in the past when it ate fuses when given a bit of work to do.

I love French electrics me! (Almost as much as I love Italian electrics. )

Shouldn't they just sweep as fast as a normal (and I mean "1978 normal") car? I've got a 1978 Volvo 343DL as a benchmark.

Opinions and if anyone has a spare wiper motor hiding at the back of the shed, or can give me any cross-reference clues I'd be most grateful.

Cheers,
Rich

[andmcit]

I'd say they've just seized in the pivots. You'll find the motor is probably getting the power and is giving up at the herculean effort required to move the spindles of a pair of pivots that have stood still unused for how long? Gs's're prone to this. You could take the scuttle trim off and try getting a penetrating lubricant into them but I'd say take the lot off and undo the motor off altogether, try switching it on without any resistance, and use some gentle persuasion combined with some 3 in 1 oil or the penetrating fluid on the lever mechanism. I would have to dig a long time but I'm sure I've got a spare motor. I love the bullet connectors on the G's, miss them as a peculiarity of the car/era!!

[macplaxton]

Thanks for the tip. I will investigate further. Dash out or not?

[andmcit]

No - all in the scuttle bin once you undo the trim that sits between the bonnet and the screen

[macplaxton]

Phew! Ta

[citronut]

as Andrew says but
if memory serves one of the spindle/wheel box's the bolts come in from under the scuttle, were as the other the bolts come in from inside the car/cab/behind the dash fascia,

on very early cars the wheel box's were case alloy with bronze bushes, and later cars the boxes were nylon, the later type the spindle used to rust once the O rings failed then bind into the nylon body,
i might have some wheel box's somewhere but cant say what condition

[Stonehopper]

I've been in the area of wiper spindles a few months back, and can confirm that the drivers side is accessible from behind the dash, but the passenger side is a fascia out job. Both spindle assemblys are held in place with nuts in hard to get at places. But you can lube them from beneath the scuttle.

[macplaxton]

Oh cock

Will look at this closely tomorrow.

[andmcit]

Apologies for erroneous info - it's been too long since I spannered on a G. I'm still betting on the spindles needing help rather than removal and replacement. Can't see the motor being in too much trouble as its quite a robust piece of kit.

[macplaxton]

No problem. Hope it's something simple(r)

[citronut]

I've been in the area of wiper spindles a few months back, and can confirm that the drivers side is accessible from behind the dash, but the passenger side is a fascia out job. Both spindle assemblys are held in place with nuts in hard to get at places. But you can lube them from beneath the scuttle.

im sure you do not need to remove the fascia, i think its just the instrument panel that need removing, and of course the scuttle between the scren and bonnet,

and i also thought they were 8mm ( spanner size ) bolts hold them in place

[Stonehopper]

Mine's a '75 GS - and French (LHD) - and the spindle assembys are held on with nuts on the inside. I wish they were held on with bolts, as withdrawing them would be so much easier. It's the length of the studs that caused an issue from removing from under the scuttle. Mine had the crimped on actuating arm come loose on the spindle requiring a dab of weld. I only did (and only needed to do) the drivers side. The fascia would have had to come off for the other one.

[macplaxton]

Had a quick look at the Haynes. "Remove bonnet" - sod that! Put it back under the wobbly table leg.

Two screws undone either end of the scuttle cover. Philips bit holder on a 1/4" drive ratchet. 11mm spanner holding the nuts underneath. Watching the two tangs at the back either end, manoeuvred the scuttle cover panel out of the gap.

Sorry for the lousy pics.

Driver's side end of the scuttle, hole for cover securing screw/bolt at bottom.

IMG_20150509_205419_625 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Passenger's side end of the scuttle without the cover.

IMG_20150509_205428_932 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Front view of the car with the scuttle removed.

IMG_20150509_205436_652 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Found Mr motor on the driver's side:

IMG_20150509_205447_325 by macplaxton, on Flickr

IMG_20150509_205458_546 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Linkage is there:

IMG_20150509_205504_545 by macplaxton, on Flickr

IMG_20150509_205514_230 by macplaxton, on Flickr

IMG_20150509_205522_634 by macplaxton, on Flickr

And it moves okay by hand. Don't think the spindles are seized either partially or wholly.

So tried it out with some manual assistance:
[youtube][/youtube]

What a racket!

and the motor solo without the drag of the mechanism:
[youtube][/youtube]

Just look at how that spindle accelerates massively when the second speed is selected...NOT.

The motor off the mounting plate:

IMG_20150509_211448_699 by macplaxton, on Flickr

S.E.V. Marchal - 12V - Code 53515002 - Type MF120B / 457

[macplaxton]

Couldn't resist having a butchers inside the motor.

Four 7mm bolts removed and the gear cover popped.


IMG_20150510_015242_984 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Looks okay in there.


IMG_20150510_015424_612 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Nylon gearwheel looks okay from here.


IMG_20150510_015559_710 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Hmmm.


IMG_20150510_020055_926 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Not good. I think I've found me problem.


IMG_20150510_020347_771 by macplaxton, on Flickr

IMG_20150510_020354_911 by macplaxton, on Flickr


IMG_20150510_020416_153 by macplaxton, on Flickr

Time to find some glue to secure that stator magnet where it belongs...

[citronut]

trust you to be different Max ,

if you require another motor, how many do you want!!!i must have quite a few here,

on reinstalling the motor you will find it easier to remove the mounting plate, and fit the motor back in already on the mounting plate