240 General: New (to me) 1980 Volvo 244

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

I’m thinking the spring would be a good time.
:-)

Late winter - early spring - whichever works best for you but gives you a bit of space before the summer to iron out any wrinkles.

[Othen]

Regular readers may recall the RB's wonky smile:



... caused by the LH headlamp wiper motor parking at the top, rather than the bottom of its stroke. This was discussed early on in this thread (post 519 I think) and my theory was that someone had fitted a RH motor to the passenger's side - actually after checking I found that the correct side motor (they are marked L and R) was fitted, but that it must be faulty.


I was fortunate enough to acquire a pair of untested 1970s wiper motors - thank you for your great generosity Bobnorms - yet again it shows the value of this marvellous forum. I tested them (simple job with a 12v battery) and found the RH motor to operate perfectly, but the LH motor had the same problem as the one already fitted to the RB. Someone had previously removed the back (clearly not the manufacturer's intention that should be possible).

[Othen]

... for some reason the forum editor does not like me posting at the moment, so I'll try to continue the story here:



so, I could either buy another LH motor, or I could disassemble this one to see if it may be fixed - or I could live with the RB's wonky (but otherwise charming) smile ;-)

Alan

[Othen]

... following on: I wonder whether anyone has any experience of disassembling one of these units? It appears to be a mostly mechanically controlled switching unit - not all that complicated but rather delicate for my big fingers :-)

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

... following on: I wonder whether anyone has any experience of disassembling one of these units? It appears to be a mostly mechanically controlled switching unit - not all that complicated but rather delicate for my big fingers :-)

I have several thoughts Alan but i've also had quite a long tiring day, i'll try and collect those thoughts into some sort of coherence overnight and type them up in the morning. Should be a simple fix if my guess (leading to said incoherent thoughts) is correct.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

I have several thoughts Alan but i've also had quite a long tiring day, i'll try and collect those thoughts into some sort of coherence overnight and type them up in the morning. Should be a simple fix if my guess (leading to said incoherent thoughts) is correct.

That would be kind Dave.

The issue is that the red crank (in the photo above) is in its parked position now, and rotates anti-clockwise when energised (with the red and black wires, red is switched, black is permanent 12v), so the mechanism always translates this to a downwards first motion for the wiper arm. It would appear (to me) that the red crank is parking about 180 degrees from where it should - I have not disassembled the unit yet, but it looks like something mechanical is not properly synchronised. I'm guessing that is why the back of the unit has been removed previously (it is clearly designed not to be removed outside of the factory).

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

That would be kind Dave.

The issue is that the red crank (in the photo above) is in its parked position now, and rotates anti-clockwise when energised (with the red and black wires, red is switched, black is permanent 12v), so the mechanism always translates this to a downwards first motion for the wiper arm. It would appear (to me) that the red crank is parking about 180 degrees from where it should - I have not disassembled the unit yet, but it looks like something mechanical is not properly synchronised. I'm guessing that is why the back of the unit has been removed previously (it is clearly designed not to be removed outside of the factory).

You've more or less gathered my thoughts there Alan! If you can dismantle it enough to confirm the park switch is operated (disconnecting the park signal from the motor) then rotate the red crank (you'll probably find corresponding alignment marks for the Park position) then put it all back together, you should have it where it should be.
There appears to be a notch in the edge of the crank aperture fairly near the pinion on the end of the wiper shaft - also a line on the crank that is currently about 180deg out from it. I suspect if you get those lined up in the park position things will all be good :



There's a little yellow circle on each of those marks to show what i mean.

You'll probably find a small circlip/E-clip on the wiper shaft, if you remove that i think you'll be able to withdraw the motor/gearbox assembly. In all likelihood, the motor has a worm on the end to drive a gear which will have the parking switch cam on it. In turn this gear will drive (1:1 ratio) the crank to give 75deg of wiper shaft movement (as denoted by the 75deg inscription on the crank) which will push the rack back and forth turning the wiper pinion.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

You've more or less gathered my thoughts there Alan! If you can dismantle it enough to confirm the park switch is operated (disconnecting the park signal from the motor) then rotate the red crank (you'll probably find corresponding alignment marks for the Park position) then put it all back together, you should have it where it should be.
There appears to be a notch in the edge of the crank aperture fairly near the pinion on the end of the wiper shaft - also a line on the crank that is currently about 180deg out from it. I suspect if you get those lined up in the park position things will all be good :



There's a little yellow circle on each of those marks to show what i mean.

You'll probably find a small circlip/E-clip on the wiper shaft, if you remove that i think you'll be able to withdraw the motor/gearbox assembly. In all likelihood, the motor has a worm on the end to drive a gear which will have the parking switch cam on it. In turn this gear will drive (1:1 ratio) the crank to give 75deg of wiper shaft movement (as denoted by the 75deg inscription on the crank) which will push the rack back and forth turning the wiper pinion.

Many thanks Dave,

I rather suspect someone has had a go at this previously - hence the back being prised off and there being nothing (circlip or whatever) to stop the shaft being pushed through. I wonder what the problem was that drove someone to start taking it apart previously? The motor works, and the mechanism seems to do as it is supposed to, just offset by about 180 degrees.

I have nothing to lose from taking this one apart in that it was free (thank you again Bob) and I have another one that works on the RB. I'm pretty sure you are right in that it is just a question of carefully disassembling the unit and realigning the park switch - I had not noticed those two marks that you highlighted, and you may well be right about them indicating the correct alignment for the unit.

I'll have a go at it over the next few days, it will be entirely in keeping with the RB's ethos if I can fix the unit and even up the RB's smile.

Alan

[Othen]

Good eve chaps,

This may be a very silly idea, but I’m going to air it anyway.

I’ve just been watching an episode of ‘Flipping Bangers’ (great TV) in which Will and Gus wrap a MR2 in a nice blue colour for £250. It occurred to me that the RB would be much easier because it is three big boxes with no curves.

My question is: has anyone out there ever wrapped a 244 (or any other 240)? If so how did it come out? I’m a bit tempted to get a £250 roll of dark metallic green vinyl and get Clarkie to give me a hand wrapping the RB one day before the end of summer.

Have I had too many fizzy drinks?

Alan

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by Othen

Good eve chaps,

This may be a very silly idea, but I’m going to air it anyway.

I’ve just been watching an episode of ‘Flipping Bangers’ (great TV) in which Will and Gus wrap a MR2 in a nice blue colour for £250. It occurred to me that the RB would be much easier because it is three big boxes with no curves.

My question is: has anyone out there ever wrapped a 244 (or any other 240)? If so how did it come out? I’m a bit tempted to get a £250 roll of dark metallic green vinyl and get Clarkie to give me a hand wrapping the RB one day before the end of summer.

Have I had too many fizzy drinks?

Alan

I would retire for the evening and take Horlicks if i were you Alan, have another think in the morning as to whether you condier it a good idea still.

If you've ever applied large self-adhesive decals or tried tinting your windows with film or similar, think about how that went.

If it went smoothly (in all senses of the word) then maybe give it a go. If it didn't and you ended up with some scrap material, imagine how you'd feel if that was £250 worth of scrap material!

Also worth a look :

https://youtu.be/TXZZCRcGLY8

Disclaimer - she can be a potty-mouth at times!

Also something else to bear in mind - if the bodywork isn't absolutely glass-smooth, it WILL show up under the film