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MG MGB Technical - Wiper Stalk

Hi, I wonder if you can help me, I need a wiper stalk for a 1978 MGB, 1 was ordered but it only has 5 connections not 6 or 7 like my mechanic's now stated, would you know of such a thing? I have not come across it with my searches in the last 24 hours or so, also might then need the motor for the wiper, if you find or can get to sell please let me know/ send me the links, I really want to buy this mgb but seems parts maybe hard to find nowadays ?

kind regards
Toby
Toby Smith

Hi Toby,
this is probably a lot more info than you want but you've already found without it you can get the wrong part.

Also consider what are you trying to achieve, to only replace the stalk like for like or to get something working as there may be alternatives.

Assuming you have a UK car then the stalk appears to be (MG) part number BAU1020 which is no longer available unless you can get a good s/h, in which case there might be a few suppliers here that might have it, such as but not only Andy Jenkins. - https://www.mg-cars.org.uk/andyjennings/

Otherwise you can buy modern made copies - beware these will not be as well made as the original parts that lasted decades even if they're in a 'Lucas' box.

Here is just one example - https://www.autoelectricalspares.co.uk/wash-wipe-switch-164sa-bau1020-replaces-lucas-30962-2779-p.asp

Note the warning on the unit Leacy supply - http://www.leacyclassics.com/bau1020.html

NOTE: this eBay seller suggest there's some confusion, if the photo he's put up is the one he's selling then there are 7 round connector ports, 6 only wired, plus locking buckles. See photo below. - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311518285626

Also for more detailed info see Paul Hunt's excellent site, click on the thumbnails and show your mechanic - http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/electricstext2.htm#flick

HTH



Nigel Atkins

Thanks Nigel.

I don't have or own the car yet I'm not going to buy it if i can't find the part, mechanics have told me it needed a 6 or 7 connecting wiper stalk then if that don't work needs a wiper motor.... can i get both, how much are they and how much the mechanics will charge comes into me buying the car
the second one you showed me isn't that the 5 connector no good I've seen loads of times ? i really don't know a thing about it, to me they all look like 5 connectors
Toby Smith

Toby,
no disrespect meant but are you sure your mechanic knows about these cars as generally you can't find another classic, or even modern car, that has more parts available. Some model years might have some parts hard to find but not too many. Many parts can be forward and backward compatible or alternatives.

The wiper motor is very standard if it's GXE7708, as only an example, often buying the same parts from Mini or Morris Minor suppliers you can get the parts at lower price. - http://www.minispares.com/product/Classic/GXE7708.aspx

NOTE (again): many modern made parts can be piss-poor in quality, not the wiper motors AFAIK though.

I strongly recommend to all potential buyers to buy and read a copy of the relevant Driver's Handbook before considering buying the car so that you have some idea about these very old cars. The Driver's Handbook is not a workshop manual but the book you got as the owner when they were new. This will include lots of info about the car and the scheduled servicing. Ref: 0053 - https://www.mgownersclubstore.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

Nigel Atkins

Toby,
I'm not sure I like the sound of your mechanic, especially if he's the one selling the car.

There's lots of ways to test the motor without having the switch.

I've no idea if the second one(?) from Leacys is 5 or 7 connectors from the limited photo and info but they seem to be a supplier that should know what's required but I've never personally dealt with them.

I've owned various classics in 30 years, none of high sales value, and spent tens of thousands of pounds on them and I recommend you learn about the models before you buy them, I didn't hence some of my spending and poor choices.

There are and will be lots of MGBs for sale so you don't need to commit yourself to any one (or anyone) that have difficult or awkward problems from the start (the cars will all have some problems anyway). You need to see and drive good working mechanical examples to know how well they could or should go, they're not all slow, very poor handling old bangers and they don't always "all like that" or "what to expect with an old car".

I've got some notes I used to offer to potential buyers for midgets but they can easily be applied to Bs, just email me (address top of this post) if you want a copy. They're considered OTT by many especially those that haven't owned classics but the notes are from my years of experience and lots of expenditure, yours for free.
Nigel Atkins

From the diagrams you do need one with six connections - four for the wipers plus two more for the washers.

BAU1020, but the problem is that current stock from some suppliers operate upside down, I suspect they are LHD items instead of RHD. Not all suppliers warn of that. If you don't mind that then there are several sources if you Google that part number.

If your 'mechanic' doesn't know whether he needs a switch or a motor then he doesn't have a clue, and it could be neither, just connections. Relying on someone like that could result in endless new parts and a huge cost.
paulh4

This thread was discussed on 03/11/2020

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