HELP no power to washer motor MOT tomorrow!!!!

[robbouk]

Can anyone help, windscreen washer motor just packed up, motor works if connected directly to 12v, but not when wired in to car, taken switch off steering column, but cant see any loose wires, wipers work fine HELP

[DaveD]

big black oblong relay in fuse box...check its fitted properly

[robbouk]

Thanks, Its in ok, still no luck, am begining to think it is a break in the wiring sumwhere

[DaveD]

see if you can try a new relay

[robbouk]

latest, power is getting to terminals, when tested with a test light, but there does not seem to be enough power to make it work???? If the motor is earthed it goes continually, the wipers seem to do their sweep of the screen when this is done

[Brianmoooore]

Washer motor doesn't work from the relay, and should still work with the relay removed.
Washer motor is wired on the earth to operate arrangement. It should have power (12V+) on the purple/ black wire at all times when the ignition switch is on in positions 1 or 2.
If you earth the brown/black wire at the pump, then the motor should work.
Don't check for 12V at the motor with a meter - the readings are meaningless. Use a 12V lamp.

[robbouk]

Thanks, Brian

All that you have said is happening, but it still dosnt work!!! running out of options and it would be rubbish if it failed its MOT on this

[Brianmoooore]

All that I said what is happening? If the pump works when the brown/black is earthed, then there is a problem with this wire or the switch is dud.
If there is 12V+ to light a 12V21W bulb on the purple/ black and it doesn't work with the brown/black earthed, then the motor is dud.
Purple/black comes from fuse 5 in the fusebox.

[robbouk]

hi again

Have ch ecked the brown/black wire from the pump to the contact on the column lever in the car and the wire is intact coz the bulb lit up. Does this sound like there is aproblem with the column switch?

Ian

[Brianmoooore]

This is a very simple circuit; Fuse 5 - piece of wire - pump - piece of wire to switch on steering column, calling in on relay terminal to activate the wipers - switch on column - earth wire to column by switch securing screw.

[Brianmoooore]

Turn the ignition on. Earth brown/black wire at the pump.
Does the pump run?

[robbouk]

Hi Brian

Yes pump runs when brown/black is earthed, what next please!!!

[robbouk]

Hi Brian

Have found out that the steering column switch is faulty, all other circuits check out ok.

Thank you very much for all your help, will now have to get another switch before the MOT tomorrow AAAHHHGGGG!!!!!!
thanks again
Ian

[Brianmoooore]

Take the column shroud off (remove steering wheel), check the brown wire on the switch is earthed properly. Find brown/black on switch and earth it with the ignition on.
If the switch is dud, there's nothing to stop you taping a doorbell switch or whatever to the column for the MOT.

[robbouk]

thanks again Brian

bought a doorbell switch, wired it in and every thin is ok ready for MOT tomorrow.

thanks again
Ian

[smithy318i]

Nothing in the MOT test says it cant be a doorbell switch.

Do you want to buy a replacement stalk? I have one if your interested.

[robbouk]

Thanks Brian

Yes I would like a replacement, let me know how much you want for it, however the indicators have now packed up, hazards work, but direction indicators dont, sounds like I need the other stalk as well!!!, will have to cancel MOT tomorrow, havnt got the energy to start finding out what is wrong with the indicators now.

This car really dosnt want to got for its MOT, had no trouble at all for the last 12 months, and it only comes out to play when the sun is out

Ian

[robbouk]

Sorry mate, so pi***ed off, called you brian, apologies

[robbouk]

Have sorted out indicatores from an article here on the zone, Thanks to every one who offered help, it was greatly appreciated, fingers crossed for tomorrow

Ian , Leeds

[Brianmoooore]

This car really doesn't want to got for its MOT, had no trouble at all for the last 12 months,
Ian

I get cars like that! Have one (with the lamp failure check control) that a while back had a tail lamp blow on the way to the MOT, and the other one blew on the way home!
Most indicator faults are the hazard switch acting up through lack of use. Responds well to switch cleaner and silicon grease spray.