The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I put new blades on my Dolomite's wipers recently as the old ones were a bit stiff. They had not actually been used for years because I had not been out in the rain (Australia).

When I turned the wipers on, the arms just leisurely wobbled across the screen and back. I would not want to be in the rain with the wipers like this.

I suppose the motor is not dead as the arms did move, so I guess there is resistance somewhere in the mechanism. Where is it likely to be? Or could it actually be the motor?

was the screen wet when you tested them? It makes a huge difference on my car to the sweep speed.

yorkshire_spam wrote: ↑Sun Feb 13, 2022 12:47 pm was the screen wet when you tested them? It makes a huge difference on my car to the sweep speed.

I had just washed the windscreen and it was still wet from that,

Hmmm sounds like something isn't right then, sadly getting at most of it is a dash out job. I guess maybe a seized spindle is possible. There's not much in the mechanism to offer much resistance apart from the spindles and the motor itself from what I remember.

yorkshire_spam wrote: ↑Sun Feb 13, 2022 9:05 pm Hmmm sounds like something isn't right then, sadly getting at most of it is a dash out job. I guess maybe a seized spindle is possible. There's not much in the mechanism to offer much resistance apart from the spindles and the motor itself from what I remember.

Hmmmm.... That is going to be a challenge then. The Dolomite is my daily drive at present, since my other car was written off after a minor accident. I will have a poke around and see what I can discover.

If it is a spindle, are they repairable, or should I look for a replacement?

I'd start with:
Remove the wipers, give the spindles a good spray of Plus Gas (or similar), let it stand, give it another spray, then switch the motor on and let it run a bit and see if it starts to speed up/improve without the load of the blades on the screen.
If that works... result! If not... it's gonna have to be dash out to get to the motor and mechanism.

Before taking the dash out I would unplug the motor and check it. Use a multimeter to check it is getting 12V and wire it up to a 12V supply to see if it runs at normal speed.

My money is on either a worn out motor or corrosion in the wiring leading to a large voltage drop.

disconnect the linkage from the wiper motors you should be able to move the linkage by hand, on UK cars you can get to the spindles without removing the dash, drivers side by taking the dash facia off and pulling forward and passenger side by taking the glove box out. the motor can be removed without needing to take the dash out

cleverusername wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 7:25 pm Before taking the dash out

why would you take the dash out to get the wiper motor out?

I have found the grease inside the motors (or the drive mechanism) can be hard/crusty. Opening it up, cleaning out and a regrease really helps. Likewise the engire moving mecahnism responds well to a clean/regrease.

TrustNo1 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:19 am

cleverusername wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 7:25 pm Before taking the dash out

why would you take the dash out to get the wiper motor out?

Read the whole thread and you'ill understand. It is what other users are advising the OP to do.

cliftyhanger wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:47 am I have found the grease inside the motors (or the drive mechanism) can be hard/crusty. Opening it up, cleaning out and a regrease really helps. Likewise the engire moving mecahnism responds well to a clean/regrease.

I suspect this is the issue. I will pull it apart at the weekend. Is any particular type of grease needed for the wiper motor?

cleverusername wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 10:28 pm

TrustNo1 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:19 am

cleverusername wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 7:25 pm Before taking the dash out

why would you take the dash out to get the wiper motor out?

Read the whole thread and you'ill understand. It is what other users are advising the OP to do.

But why are people saying to take the dash out when there is no need?

TrustNo1 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 17, 2022 3:33 am

cleverusername wrote: ↑Wed Feb 16, 2022 10:28 pm

TrustNo1 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 15, 2022 2:19 am

why would you take the dash out to get the wiper motor out?

Read the whole thread and you'ill understand. It is what other users are advising the OP to do.

But why are people saying to take the dash out when there is no need?

I concede it might be possible to remove the motor without removing the dash - but tbh I wouldn't want to struggle. I've just removed the dash to allow much easier access to motor, linkages and both spindles all at one go.

If you remove the parcel tray, are very lucky and don't mind being upside down under the dash, it's possible to unbolt the motor from the mounting plate (3 x 5/16" nuts) and disconnect the linkage by removing the nut and breaking the seal on the tapered crank fitting. it can then be withdrawn up through the hole in the scuttle, unplugged and removed entirely to work on it.

Getting it back in is another matter, as there are 3 washers that will fall off as soon as you turn it over to fit it. (they will probably fall into the scuttle recess when you withdraw the motor) I superglue these to the motor, they won't stay glued for long, but they don't need to! Don't forget to fit the wiring plug first, it's not accessible with the motor in place!

Good luck!

Steve