Electrical disaster...

[Robin427]

(also posted on the gdowners forum)

Tried connecting up my wiring loom to a battery, via a smaller fuse than the main one and after a couple of attempts, got most of the loom to work.

However, I have the following problems:

1) Minor - the illumination for the clock and the oil temperature gauges does not work - I have checked the bulbs. The temperature gauge is on the same lighting circuit as some of the other gauges, so that is a bit of a mystery

2) Fairly minor - I cannot get the rear fog light to illuminate. I have tried with the main lights on and off but to no avail. I have tested the bulb on a battery and it works fine. I have also tested the connections, but may need to do those again...

3) Major!!! I could not get the wiper motor to function. Checked the electrical connections and the back of the switch - all seemed OK. Tried it with the screenwash motor going, but nothing happened. Thought I'd test the connecting plug again and burnt my hand on the outside of the motor casing!! Obviously not a good sign. There is no way to wire the motor up wrongly - I'm using the GD issue looms. I hadn't lubricated the mechanism but I would expect to hear the motor at least trying to move. Have I knackered the motor?

At least the horn works... I'm only just getting my hearing back (and I only connected one of the two horns!!!)

Robin

GD427 Euro in progress.
LS1/T56/P45
http://www.creffield.com/cobra/index.html

[Robin427]

I have removed a dismantled the wiper motor. It is as bad as I feared - the windings on the armature (the moving bit) have obviously burnt out - whether this was my fault or not, I can't tell, but it looks like I will have to get another one from somewhere. Any suggestions? Is it a standard mini item? I might be able to get to a scrap yard at some stage...

Oh woe, woe, woe...

R

[dave]

Off topic I know, but what has happened to your website, there doesn't seem to have been any updates of your build for ages?
I like to see how people are getting on with their cars from time to time.

[Robin427]

I did a minor update two days ago - haven't updated the build diary yet, though - been too busy building the damn thing.

Back on topic, do you know whether it is economically feasible to get the motor rewound or should I bin it?

[dave]

Hi Robin.
Personally i would bin it as it would probably cost more to fix, after all it is a GD you're building and you know a second hand one will let you down eventually.

[SimonP]

AAARGH!
Spent ages writing a reply then it threw me out

Try again:

Dash lights: Ensure the 4-way multiplug with all black wires behind the dash is fully seated.
are the lights that don't work on a different type of holder, as some of mine were.

Fog light: Does the tell tale light work on the dash?
If so check the dash and rear loom multi plugs that contain the red/yellow wire.
Also remove the bulb from the fog light, check that it is 21W single filament with a single solder blob on the bottom.
Also check the holder - are there one or two brass contacts in there? If there are two, the holder is for a Land Rover stop/tail lamp and needs to be changed. (The indicator, fog and reverse should all be 21W single filament)

Wiper motor: Did you have the wiper arms on?
When you removed the motor, did you just withdraw the rack cable without having to undo the wheel boxes? Something in the motor/gearbox assembly was not free to move, which is why it overheated. If the rack cable slid out freely it wasn't your fault and the unit must have been faulty.

Other similar-looking units may have the same motor, but the cam and gear arrangement may be different, meaning that the wiper sweep angle and the park position (left or right) may be different.

Hope this helps.

Simon.

[Robin427]

I will try all those tomorrow.

I have taken the motor apart and notes down the order of wiring the commutator. To buy the wire will cost about £3.60 so I think it will be worth having a go. There's only 34 windings around each arm and the wire is fairly thick (0.7mm). I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I have put a bid in for a second hand one from eBay. I'll take the armature out of that if I win. Always handy to have a spare.

Up at 5 tomorrow morning - must go to bed now...

Thanks for the replies,

[Robin427]

I bought the wire from www.wires.co.uk and rewound the armature.

When I plugged the wiper motor in and turned the ignition key, the motor turned for about half a turn, presumably to park itself.

I then tried turning it back on again, but each time the fuse blew. I even had to replace the 10A fuse with a 15A one (because I ran out...) but that blew too as soon as I pressed the wiper switch.

I dismantled the motor again but the armature seemed fine so I reassembled the unit. Once again, the motor parked itself when the ignition was switched on, but it still blows the fuse whenever I press the wiper switch...

Any clues?

[madjohnny]

I know it sounds obvious but have you definately re-wound the armatures with the correct type wire, it is normally enamelled so as when you wind the armature all the windings don't short together.

The other thing is does the armature spin round freely when inserted into the motor housing?

Have tried re-winding armatures myself in the past without a great deal of success!!

Cheers, John.

[SimonP]

Robin,
You may have either of the following:
1 - one or more wires crossed on the wiper switch.
2 - something mechanical preventing the motor/gearbox/rack moving freely.

Remove the green/brown wire from the wiper switch, then try the wipers again.

Here's how the circuit connects up - if you crossed speed 1 and park wires, you would blow the fuse when switching on the wipers if they were parked...that sounds like what you have done!

Simon.