uh oh, something else broke

Jim760 · Mar 29th, 2009, 17:34

the drivers side headlight wiper has stuck at the full wipe position.. wiring seems ok, motor shaft isn't broken so i guess its just a dead motor? you cant move it by hand and the nut on the end is rusted up so i can't get it off, was gonna disconnect the wires and then reset the arm to make it in the right place. any ideas? the other side works a treat!

Laney760 · Mar 29th, 2009, 19:15

I can only suggest lots of WD40 and patience?

I saw my first ever working headlight wiper on Cowboy's V70 at the Berks meet yesterday, he had just one working. In four Volvos of my own, eight headlamp wipers, I've never had one that worked. I think you're doing quite well to have one working! Good Luck with the other

StanC · Mar 29th, 2009, 20:22

The headlight wipers on my '96 960 have always worked ok - except for last year when the offside one stopped like yours has. Apparently it's not unusual for the motors to blow after a few years - the only solution is a new wiper/motor assembly - not cheap! It looks a bit naff having one wiper stuck at vertical, so you could always just unscrew it and re-tighten it at the horizontal position, if you're not bothered about it not working.

Stan.

Penybryn · Mar 29th, 2009, 21:23

My experience is that the wiper motor units are not very robust. Generally they fail mechanically rather than electrically. If you can hear the motor turning with a 12volt supply to the relevant pin but the wiper is not moving then one of the gears has stripped and the unit is effectively no good. Electrical failure can also occur, there are mechanically operated switch contacts inside the unit which control the wiper to its park position but as these contacts are well protected, they don't usually give problems. The motor itself may have died of course.
It is possible to open the wiper motor unit by releasing all the small clips (carefully to avoid breakage) and find the reason for failure. They are fiddly to reassemble and the easiest way to fix the problem is to replace with a working unit. Secondhand ones should only be considered if you can actually see them working or they come with a warranty from a reputable breaker as so many fail during the life of the car you may just end up with another duff one.

Tom85 · Mar 29th, 2009, 21:29

1) Don't try to force the wiper to move, you will break the little plastic gears inside the wiping mechanism.

I took out wiper with whole headlight, probably easiest way. It's good idea to check wiring beforehand, there are three wires, ground, constant +12V and another wire for temporary 12V pulse, after which wiper activates. Start out with the wiring and connector. I've seen several broken connectors, filled with water, rusted, etc.

You can also try the wiper on it's own, with 12V wire and ground.

If it still doesn't works, you will have to open the black box, with several small plastic gears and small motor. Try to not break the plastic tabs that hold it all together. Carefully note position of each plastic gear against the other gears, so you don't end up spending hours reinventing the wheel

Basically, check the motor (connecting it to 12V), check the gears and check the sheet metal parts (there is at least one if i remember correctly, serving as end position switch for the motor.

Take your time and don't hurry, it's fragile.

Paris6282 · Mar 30th, 2009, 00:06

Replace self parking disc inside wiper motor fidley but not complex (clean and try existing disc first) as this normally works DO NOT USE WD40 as this will wreck self park disc.

Jim760 · Mar 30th, 2009, 14:17

the motor is not running, plug is ok, power to it is ok also. i am guessing its either the contacts inside or the motor its self. when i feel enclined i'l whip the full unit out, need to take both side off as the passenger side needs a new lens on it. thanks for the info chaps

Jim760 · Apr 3rd, 2009, 07:36

ok the motor IS working.. the unit fails to operate under normal conditions, but rather when the key is switched on, usually a drive later its in a different spot. the arm is moving between positions when it feel enclined.. its going from its parking place, to half way across the light and to full wipe (in this case, a full 180 from park position) so its randomly taking these positions without me doing anything... and if i do anything, it refuses to work... whats its game!!!

Mike B · Apr 3rd, 2009, 08:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim760

ok the motor IS working.. the unit fails to operate under normal conditions, but rather when the key is switched on, usually a drive later its in a different spot. the arm is moving between positions when it feel enclined.. its going from its parking place, to half way across the light and to full wipe (in this case, a full 180 from park position) so its randomly taking these positions without me doing anything... and if i do anything, it refuses to work... whats its game!!!

Hi I sounds like the self park switch to me , If it gets a bump it might try to park ?
Hope this helps .
Regards
Mike B

PyroboyUK · Jul 12th, 2009, 23:08

I have now been troubled with this problem in my V40, it has now become fully stuck in the upright position (drivers side) and at night time i can see a nice shadow cast onto the road.
Really need to find a way of seating it back down. It doesnt matter if it wont work again.

Mar 29th, 2009, 17:34	#1
Jim760 Mr G Last Online: Jun 12th, 2020 19:11 Join Date: May 2007 Location: north yorkshire	uh oh, something else broke the drivers side headlight wiper has stuck at the full wipe position.. wiring seems ok, motor shaft isn't broken so i guess its just a dead motor? you cant move it by hand and the nut on the end is rusted up so i can't get it off, was gonna disconnect the wires and then reset the arm to make it in the right place. any ideas? the other side works a treat!

Mar 29th, 2009, 19:15	#2
Laney760 VOC Member Last Online: Mar 18th, 2024 12:17 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Henley on Thames	I can only suggest lots of WD40 and patience? I saw my first ever working headlight wiper on Cowboy's V70 at the Berks meet yesterday, he had just one working. In four Volvos of my own, eight headlamp wipers, I've never had one that worked. I think you're doing quite well to have one working! Good Luck with the other __________________ [IMG]Volvo2 by Strider'swoman, on Flickr[/IMG] Current '96 945 2.3 lpt - Aurigas, tailgate spoiler, sports grille, lpg fuelled Previous '88 764 TD, '92 945 TD, '88 745, '81 244 DL

Mar 29th, 2009, 21:29	#5
Tom85 Member Last Online: Jul 22nd, 2017 10:19 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pilsen, Czech Republic	1) Don't try to force the wiper to move, you will break the little plastic gears inside the wiping mechanism. I took out wiper with whole headlight, probably easiest way. It's good idea to check wiring beforehand, there are three wires, ground, constant +12V and another wire for temporary 12V pulse, after which wiper activates. Start out with the wiring and connector. I've seen several broken connectors, filled with water, rusted, etc. You can also try the wiper on it's own, with 12V wire and ground. If it still doesn't works, you will have to open the black box, with several small plastic gears and small motor. Try to not break the plastic tabs that hold it all together. Carefully note position of each plastic gear against the other gears, so you don't end up spending hours reinventing the wheel Basically, check the motor (connecting it to 12V), check the gears and check the sheet metal parts (there is at least one if i remember correctly, serving as end position switch for the motor. Take your time and don't hurry, it's fragile. __________________ VOLVO 740 GL - 1990, B200E, M47

Mar 30th, 2009, 00:06	#6
Paris6282 Been here a while Last Online: Jan 16th, 2024 23:07 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Issoire france	headlight wipers Replace self parking disc inside wiper motor fidley but not complex (clean and try existing disc first) as this normally works DO NOT USE WD40 as this will wreck self park disc.

Mar 29th, 2009, 20:22	#3
StanC 'Mature' Member Last Online: Jun 22nd, 2024 20:11 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne	The headlight wipers on my '96 960 have always worked ok - except for last year when the offside one stopped like yours has. Apparently it's not unusual for the motors to blow after a few years - the only solution is a new wiper/motor assembly - not cheap! It looks a bit naff having one wiper stuck at vertical, so you could always just unscrew it and re-tighten it at the horizontal position, if you're not bothered about it not working. Stan.

Mar 29th, 2009, 21:23	#4
Penybryn Junior Member Last Online: Mar 9th, 2024 15:34 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Aberdare	My experience is that the wiper motor units are not very robust. Generally they fail mechanically rather than electrically. If you can hear the motor turning with a 12volt supply to the relevant pin but the wiper is not moving then one of the gears has stripped and the unit is effectively no good. Electrical failure can also occur, there are mechanically operated switch contacts inside the unit which control the wiper to its park position but as these contacts are well protected, they don't usually give problems. The motor itself may have died of course. It is possible to open the wiper motor unit by releasing all the small clips (carefully to avoid breakage) and find the reason for failure. They are fiddly to reassemble and the easiest way to fix the problem is to replace with a working unit. Secondhand ones should only be considered if you can actually see them working or they come with a warranty from a reputable breaker as so many fail during the life of the car you may just end up with another duff one.

Mar 30th, 2009, 14:17	#7
Jim760 Mr G Last Online: Jun 12th, 2020 19:11 Join Date: May 2007 Location: north yorkshire	the motor is not running, plug is ok, power to it is ok also. i am guessing its either the contacts inside or the motor its self. when i feel enclined i'l whip the full unit out, need to take both side off as the passenger side needs a new lens on it. thanks for the info chaps

Apr 3rd, 2009, 07:36	#8
Jim760 Mr G Last Online: Jun 12th, 2020 19:11 Join Date: May 2007 Location: north yorkshire	ok the motor IS working.. the unit fails to operate under normal conditions, but rather when the key is switched on, usually a drive later its in a different spot. the arm is moving between positions when it feel enclined.. its going from its parking place, to half way across the light and to full wipe (in this case, a full 180 from park position) so its randomly taking these positions without me doing anything... and if i do anything, it refuses to work... whats its game!!!

Jul 12th, 2009, 23:08	#10
PyroboyUK New Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:53 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Scotland	I have now been troubled with this problem in my V40, it has now become fully stuck in the upright position (drivers side) and at night time i can see a nice shadow cast onto the road. Really need to find a way of seating it back down. It doesnt matter if it wont work again.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)