Windscreen wiper motor nearly caught fire.

[Jesus325iTouring]

As in title,the missus was out in the car yesterday when I get a phonecall.

Missus: "There is steam pouring out the car and it stinks of burning rubber!!!!!!! Oh and the coolant light has just come on"

Jesus: "F uck shit f uck b ollocks!!!! Be there in ten minutes"

That ten minute drive saw me panicking that the engine has just been cooked,burning smell,steam and coolant lights,however...

When I arrived,armed with 10 litres of Tesco mineral water I discovered the "steam" was in fact smoke,and the burning smell was rubber.The coolant light was just coincidental thank goodness.

Smoke was pouring out the scuttle grill and I discovered the wiper motor had nearly caught fire,it was extremely hot and all the rubber case had melted.

The wipers were not in use at all,nor had they been that day,my question is why or how could this have happened?

Any ideas?

[whipsey]

possible wiring shorting out against the body?

[Jesus325iTouring]

No fella,wiring all appears ok,not melted.

Anyone else any ideas?

[johnl320]

I think there is a live feed to the motor even with the wipers switched off ( to finish the sweep) The mechanism may have got jammed just before the cycle ended so was recieving a feed and not rotating, This could have heated it up to the point of melting. I am now donning a flame suit in preperation for the onslaught of Brian Moore.

john

[Jesus325iTouring]

I think there is a live feed to the motor even with the wipers switched off ( to finish the sweep) The mechanism may have got jammed just before the cycle ended so was recieving a feed and not rotating, This could have heated it up to the point of melting. I am now donning a flame suit in preperation for the onslaught of Brian Moore.

john

Ah,could be that John,the wipers have not rested properly for quite some time,so may be this was the final straw.

Bring on Brian

[Simon]

I'd go with the motor being jammed too, but then surely the fuse should pop before this happens...

Whichever way, get that motor out, check the wiring over, and get a replacement in there right away!

[johnl320]

You can stop the blades and hold them and the fuse doesn't pop. Found that out the hard way.

john

[Jesus325iTouring]

You can stop the blades and hold them and the fuse doesn't pop. Found that out the hard way.

john

John........how?............why?.........what were you doing to put the wipers on and hold them ....are you mad?? LOL

I'd go with the motor being jammed too, but then surely the fuse should pop before this happens...

Whichever way, get that motor out, check the wiring over, and get a replacement in there right away!

Got a new motor on order from Spadge,mines disconnected now............please don't rain....................

I was suprised the fuse didn't pop aswell,better check i've the right one fitted.

[johnl320]

Bonnet open, coat on windscreen, five year old in drivers seat, first thing I notice is a wisp of smoke from you know where

john

[Jesus325iTouring]

Bonnet open, coat on windscreen, five year old in drivers seat, first thing I notice is a wisp of smoke from you know where

john

PMSL,kids,gotta love 'em!

[johnl320]

Managed to catch mine before it expired and it lasted for another year, but it bloody stank!

[Jesus325iTouring]

How did you get it of the scuttle? Looks bloody awkward to get out

[316eyes]

Remove the plastic loom cover thingy just under the bonnet to slide it out, once you've undone all the nuts etc.

[Jesus325iTouring]

Remove the plastic loom cover thingy just under the bonnet to slide it out, once you've undone all the nuts etc.

Ah,I didn't notice this cover thingy.Thanks fella

[316eyes]

First time I took one out I didn't notice either.................plenty of scraped knuckles etc