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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Wiper Motor Stalling

Gentlemen,
One of today's threads describes Gordon's (another crazy Canadian) wipers going like mad on a video on You Tube. It got me thinking about about the wipers on my own TF. When the car was restored 3 years ago, I took the gear boxes and drive cables out of the car and cleaned and lubed them up, as well as the gear drive mechanism on the electric motor. There is no binding, and the entire system works acceptably ... without the wiper blades resting on the glass. If I put the blades on the windshield, there is so much drag that the entire system stalls to a halt. Does the motor need cleaning or a rebuild, because it appears to be working just fine without the resistance of the blades on the glass?
Gene
Gene Burgess

I did the same thing....and the result is the same as yours.....I'm curious too!

Jim
Jim Rice

Maybe you could connect a voltmeter across the wiper motor when it's under load. If the voltage is appreciably less than the voltage across the battery, there will be a circuit problem . If this is the case , look for undersize wiring, dirty joints or faulty switches. Regards, Richard.
R Payne

If you're using the stock switch, it's pretty likely that the contacts are corroded and it's not making a good connection. Unfortunately, up there above the glovebox it's pretty hard to reach. I sometimes have to reach up there and 'tickle' the switch a bit to get the motor to start.

But I probably only use the wipers a couple of times a year, and that's mainly for demonstration or testing purposes. I'd hesitate to use them for real since they do so little actual work. Plus, I really hate to drive the car with the top up, since rear visibility is so limited (no fender mirrors).
Mark B.

Mark. Unless you are into concours or a purist (but you can always remove them quickly), go to your local Harley Davidson shop and get a pair of round chrome mirrors with chrome arms that will mount perfectly to your winshield brackets for under $20. They fit, look period, and provide the same visibility as modern side mirrors. Wouldn't be without them.

Larry
L Karpman

I find my TFs wipers will function fine.....not all that fast or for that matter efficient..when the windscreen is wet. A dry windscreen and the drag on the wipers makes them really bog down. I would use them only once the rain has started...also a good dose of rainex invaluable
jeff payne

Gentlemen,
Thanks for everyone's input. With the car in storage, it'll be spring before I can get around to doing some exploring to check the wiper motor out. That said, the switch in my car does make a good connection, so maybe the wiring is too light, or the motor in need of a take apart, cleaning, or new brushes. I seem to recall that the motor did get rather warm when running.
Gene
Gene Burgess

Often the grease in the gear portion of the motor has become hardened with age. If the motor runs smoothly without a load, drag or the previously mentioned voltage drop is the usual problem. Electrical damage is usually confined to damaged wires in the armature. These wiper motors are not difficult to dismantle, inspect and repack. In any case, DO NOT run the motor before you solve it. If you do fry the armature, it's about $150 for a NOS replacement or nearly the same for a hand rewind by a specialist. Brushes you can make with fine sandpaper and most any generator brush. The same warning applies to the TD wiper. Keeping water out of those is REALLY important.
Jarl de Boer

Jim Rice or Jarl..I have some questions about operating the wipers..If you get a chance e mail me as I live close by...Thanks
marvin soroken

This thread was discussed between 22/12/2006 and 23/12/2006

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