Wiper and heater motor issues
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Not many rules really, this board being aimed at technical issues, it shouldn't fall foul (hopefully) of some of the more personal issues that can affect forums.
Rule 1 - Is that you need to think very carefully before posting anything technical or asking anything technical relating to the security system of the car - See 'Security Issues' sticky for more info.
Rule 2 - We (MGF Register) do not support copyright infringement and therefore references to CD ROM, PDF versions or paper copies of the workshop manual (for instance) should not be posted on the forum. We don't want to get into trouble and we'd rather sell you a genuine hard copy through our Regalia shop anyway!
Because advice is honestly and freely given in this technical section, much of it will be amateur experienced based, so any information is given in good faith and is not guaranteed as correct.
Wiper and heater motor issues
Hi all
The wipers on my '98 have started playing up- along with the heater motor.
Firstly, the single wipe works well and fast wipe goes like the clappers, but I have lost intermittent and normal speed.
Secondly, number 1 and 2 settings on the heater motor have stopped working, I should mention that the heater has been like this for a while.
Before I take things apart, anyone come across these issues before?
Just like to say what a great forum this is- really helpful people out there.
Thanks
Tony
The wipers on my '98 have started playing up- along with the heater motor.
Firstly, the single wipe works well and fast wipe goes like the clappers, but I have lost intermittent and normal speed.
Secondly, number 1 and 2 settings on the heater motor have stopped working, I should mention that the heater has been like this for a while.
Before I take things apart, anyone come across these issues before?
Just like to say what a great forum this is- really helpful people out there.
Thanks
Tony
- Mykel
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Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Hi Tony,
the heater blower issue is well known, two of the resistor coils in the heater box have burnt out. Get the resistor pack out and swap the coils for Rezpax replacements (http://www.rezpax.com), if you know ho to handle a soldering iron. The location is a bit awkward, though. You have to remove the glovebox and the air intake tube behind it (a single nut holds it in place). Then the resistor pack can be found on the heater box. There are some illustrations on Rob’s website.
The other problem might be down to the stalk switch, but the red multifunction unit behind the fusebox under the steering wheel is also one of the usual suspects. Do the wiper arms return to the idle position when you just flip the single wipe quickly?
the heater blower issue is well known, two of the resistor coils in the heater box have burnt out. Get the resistor pack out and swap the coils for Rezpax replacements (http://www.rezpax.com), if you know ho to handle a soldering iron. The location is a bit awkward, though. You have to remove the glovebox and the air intake tube behind it (a single nut holds it in place). Then the resistor pack can be found on the heater box. There are some illustrations on Rob’s website.
The other problem might be down to the stalk switch, but the red multifunction unit behind the fusebox under the steering wheel is also one of the usual suspects. Do the wiper arms return to the idle position when you just flip the single wipe quickly?
MGTF:
2004 TF 135 in Monogram Spectre, black leather, RHD
MGZR:
2001 ZR 160 in Solar Red, LHD, LPG conv
Classic:
1972 MG Midget MkIII RWA in Blaze Red
MGF Register regional rep for Germany -- germany@mgfregister.org
2004 TF 135 in Monogram Spectre, black leather, RHD
MGZR:
2001 ZR 160 in Solar Red, LHD, LPG conv
Classic:
1972 MG Midget MkIII RWA in Blaze Red
MGF Register regional rep for Germany -- germany@mgfregister.org
- talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
What Mykel said.
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
- Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Agreed - two separate problems. The heater speed issue is exactly as Mykel describes - the resistor wires will have burnt out and will now need replacing.
The wiper problem is a little odd. Could be the stalk - although these are generally very reliable? How did the problem start?
The wiper problem is a little odd. Could be the stalk - although these are generally very reliable? How did the problem start?
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Firstly, the wipers were hesitant to start but after a short while they worked fine. After a week, those two settings stopped and I'm left with single wipe and full wipe- and no Mykel, the wipers do not return back to their position automatically, I've got to do it manually.
Thanks for the heater remedy.
Thanks for the heater remedy.
Last edited by TonyP. on Tue Feb 23, 2016 10:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Rob Bell
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- MGF Register Region: South East
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Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Hmmm.... interesting. I think that this is pointing more towards a problem with the motor/ parking circuit. It would be prudent just to check that the wiper motor is getting the correct signal to run the intermittent/ normal wipe with a multimeter. If you look at the wiring diagrams on Dieter's website, it is pretty straightforward to test. If the motor is getting a live power signal when the switch is turned on, then the finger of blame is on the motor - and perhaps something simple inside (burnt/dirty parking contact perhaps?)
- Mykel
- Regional Rep
- Posts: 2759
- Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 8:13 pm
- MGF Register Region: Europe
- Model of Car: MG TF Monogram
- Location: Schwalmtal, NRW, Germany
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
A tenner from my side on the motor as well, but I doubt it’s the parking switch. If only the fast wipe works and there is no slow movement at all, I’d think the resistor inside the motor has burnt out. Slow wipe and fast wipe are just a matter of settings on the wiper switch, the only difference being routing the connection to ground either via the resistor or directly (says the slightly confusing tube map attached below ).
So best get a replacement motor from the correct model year – the connectors are different!
So best get a replacement motor from the correct model year – the connectors are different!
MGTF:
2004 TF 135 in Monogram Spectre, black leather, RHD
MGZR:
2001 ZR 160 in Solar Red, LHD, LPG conv
Classic:
1972 MG Midget MkIII RWA in Blaze Red
MGF Register regional rep for Germany -- germany@mgfregister.org
2004 TF 135 in Monogram Spectre, black leather, RHD
MGZR:
2001 ZR 160 in Solar Red, LHD, LPG conv
Classic:
1972 MG Midget MkIII RWA in Blaze Red
MGF Register regional rep for Germany -- germany@mgfregister.org
- Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Very true! But easy to swap connectors over (I did this a few years back - late motor to early car) - just need to cut connectors off both motors and splice in the appropriate connector to the replacement motorMykel wrote:So best get a replacement motor from the correct model year – the connectors are different!
Motor replacement described here - and I mention that I had to swap the connectors in step 4 http://mgf.ultimatemg.com/group2/common ... cement.htm
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
I will take the motor out over the weekend and have a look.
Thanks all
Thanks all
- talkingcars
- Posts: 5766
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:44 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: mk1 VVC
- Location: West Sussex
- Contact:
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Can't the terminals be popped out of one of the plugs?
Home to black Alfa 159 3.2 V6 Q4, blue MGZR160, green MGF VVC and grey MGF 1.8i, and red MG Maestro T16.
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
MGF chatting on the Register and at http://www.the-t-bar.com
- Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
If I am honest, I can't remember James. I am sure I looked at it, and figured it was easier to solder and shrink-wrap the wires together
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
I looked at the motor and it looks like someone has fitted a TF motor as the connections are now bullet connectors.
I pulled them apart and there was no power coming from some of the wires (can't recall the colours) and then connected the wiper direct to the battery and the normal speed and intamittant worked. So all points to the switch. Got one off EBay for a fiver and will see if that cures it when it arrives.
I pulled them apart and there was no power coming from some of the wires (can't recall the colours) and then connected the wiper direct to the battery and the normal speed and intamittant worked. So all points to the switch. Got one off EBay for a fiver and will see if that cures it when it arrives.
- Rob Bell
- Committee Member
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 2:36 pm
- MGF Register Region: South East
- Model of Car: MGF 1.8i + MGF Shed!
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Maybe just something simple like an oxidised connector or two? I'd use water proof connectors in this area if replacing the original plug.
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Just finished replacing the wiper switch- it wasn't that.
When I looked at the connectors I went back to fresh wire and replaced them all, no idea why it worked with a direct feed from the battery tho.
Need to get hold of a new motor now.
When I looked at the connectors I went back to fresh wire and replaced them all, no idea why it worked with a direct feed from the battery tho.
Need to get hold of a new motor now.
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Hello! I just took my car from winter storage and wipers are out, they actually went up but stopped there. I tried to the quick fix but actually the motor case wasn't that full on stuff, littl rust only that I cleaned with oil = no help. When wipers are turned on on can hear sound (solenoid clicking ) from the motor but nothing happens. So is the next thing changing the motor? And was there wiper motor from some other car that would fit?
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Hi all.
A few weeks back my wipers started having what seems like the same issue TonyP had. I'm sharing this information here mainly as it might be of help to someone, just as all the information on here has been a gret help to me over the years of my MGF ownership.
The wipers suddenly stopped working as normal, and behaving as follows:
Manual wipe: Wiper movement only whilst lever held down, i.e. they don't go up and down with just a tap of the lever and do not automatically return to bottom - I have to hold the lever down for movement and release when wipers reach the bottom.
Intermittent wipe: None. But an intermittent click can be heard from the switch.
Normal wipe: No motion, but clicking to be heard from switch.
Fast wipe: Works as normal but wipers do not return to down position, they stop wherever they happen to be when turned off.
Yesterday I started the car and used my limited wiper functionality to clear the windscreen. There was only a fine drizzle, so it was perhaps 20 seconds before I went to wipe again - but nothing. There was no wiper movement in any setting - auto or manual. Thankfully, I was only travelling a few hundred yards. When I got in the car to return home - same again - they "worked" first time after starting the engine but not after that. This morning, there was no wiper functionality whatsoever.
I took the housing off the wiper motor. There wasn't water in there but there were signs of water damage, wear and tear. I cleaned out the housing and all the small bits of metal clinging onto the magnet. I could easily turn the motor by hand. I sprayed with WD40 and put the casing back on.
After the clean up, I have functionality in my wipers again, but only the same limited functionality I had before.
The picture below shows a couple of interesting items that were loose and fell out when I removed the motor casing. The first appears to be part of an electrical connection, which is possibly where the problem is. Unlike everything else in the motor, the spring looks like new. It's just like the typical spring found in a pen and to me it seems too weak to serve any purpose in the motor, but I can't imagine what it's doing there or how it got in if it isn't part of the motor.
I post this is for information only. I've had my '97 MGF since 2007 but am now looking to replace it. I can hopefully manage with the limited functionality of my wipers for now.
A few weeks back my wipers started having what seems like the same issue TonyP had. I'm sharing this information here mainly as it might be of help to someone, just as all the information on here has been a gret help to me over the years of my MGF ownership.
The wipers suddenly stopped working as normal, and behaving as follows:
Manual wipe: Wiper movement only whilst lever held down, i.e. they don't go up and down with just a tap of the lever and do not automatically return to bottom - I have to hold the lever down for movement and release when wipers reach the bottom.
Intermittent wipe: None. But an intermittent click can be heard from the switch.
Normal wipe: No motion, but clicking to be heard from switch.
Fast wipe: Works as normal but wipers do not return to down position, they stop wherever they happen to be when turned off.
Yesterday I started the car and used my limited wiper functionality to clear the windscreen. There was only a fine drizzle, so it was perhaps 20 seconds before I went to wipe again - but nothing. There was no wiper movement in any setting - auto or manual. Thankfully, I was only travelling a few hundred yards. When I got in the car to return home - same again - they "worked" first time after starting the engine but not after that. This morning, there was no wiper functionality whatsoever.
I took the housing off the wiper motor. There wasn't water in there but there were signs of water damage, wear and tear. I cleaned out the housing and all the small bits of metal clinging onto the magnet. I could easily turn the motor by hand. I sprayed with WD40 and put the casing back on.
After the clean up, I have functionality in my wipers again, but only the same limited functionality I had before.
The picture below shows a couple of interesting items that were loose and fell out when I removed the motor casing. The first appears to be part of an electrical connection, which is possibly where the problem is. Unlike everything else in the motor, the spring looks like new. It's just like the typical spring found in a pen and to me it seems too weak to serve any purpose in the motor, but I can't imagine what it's doing there or how it got in if it isn't part of the motor.
I post this is for information only. I've had my '97 MGF since 2007 but am now looking to replace it. I can hopefully manage with the limited functionality of my wipers for now.
Re: Wiper and heater motor issues
Is this the wiper motor brush and its spring?
Clean up the square bit and if it is black and a pencil lead, then I am right
Clean up the square bit and if it is black and a pencil lead, then I am right