Sport headlight wipers?

[MarkP]

Can anyone tell me why some sports dont seem to have the headlight wipers?
Were they an option or a sign the car has been hit?


Ive owned two , both 1989 and they had them yet im looking at a 1990 one which hasnt got them. So it isnt an updated revision thats for sure.

[tailoutcharlie]

my SE had them but a previous owner cut them off, cant say i miss them

[MarkP]

lol, but werent you left with 2 holes in the panel below the lights after?

[Simon]

They've probably just been removed, a lot of people don't like them, or they didn't work.

Sign that they've been removed is the twin washer bottle, and the extra S on the wash wipe stalk.

[MarkP]

That whole panel under the lights would need changed, seems a bit of a drastic thing.

[Simon]

That whole panel under the lights would need changed, seems a bit of a drastic thing.

??

What panel?

The wiper motors are mounted to the headlights, and all E30 headlights have the holes ready.

[MarkP]

Dont the wipers come through the black panel with the slats?

[gazza]

all cars have the hole under the lights and the hole for the washer jet between each light

[Simon]

Dont the wipers come through the black panel with the slats?

Drastic to change the grill?

, takes about a minute!

[MarkP]

Dont the wipers come through the black panel with the slats?

Drastic to change the grill?

, takes about a minute!

Maybe for some but i know it would take me about 2 days plus a catalogue of new clips and screws

[Simon]

Maybe for some but i know it would take me about 2 days plus a catalogue of new clips and screws

Seriously, the grills are very easy to change!

It don't matter anyway, the holes are there anyway regardless to wether the wipers are fitted or not.

[CraigG]

anyone know how to get the wipers up and running again, what is the problem that they dont work?

[gazza]

biggest problem is water getting past the seal on the wiper arm shaft, and rusting in the tube it runs through, causing the wiper shaft to seize up. water also gets into the electric motor and the case of the electric motor can rust as well the rear of the case is black plastic and can be removed carefully or you will break the plastic tabs and it will never go back on correctly and allow water to get in. the grease needs removing and replacing the wiper shaft can be put gently in a vice to avoid crushing the tube and cleaned up a good way is to put a drill bit down it after the rust is removed,grease it up thoroughly,then fit it back together taking care not to lose the small plastic gear wheels (and they are small)....should of mentioned this first as when you open the case they are likely to fall out
the nearside motor is the control one. as if the nearside one stops it will stop the offside one from working. if neither work try that one first ....the shaft seals are available from bmw still as are the washer jets which can get blocked

if you can run a wire to each motor to see if they move, if they do i would still strip and grease them as ther will be at least 15 years muck in them if each one does work then try the large black relay in the fuse box(intensive wash one has 2 extra pins in case its been swapped for a normal one)and the relay on the side of the washer bottles (£80 from bmw or £5-£25 on ebay)swap it for another (this is where your mate comes in)borrow his one
i have a step by step account from a mag some where ill try and dig it up

[tailoutcharlie]

i just wash my headlights when i wash my car. seems to work...lol

[Rosc0PColtrane]

wipers on lights are like filofaxes, best confined to the 1980's

[munky30]

You need them if you want to fit HID's.

Its the laaaaw!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Sod it, stick a rag in the grille. That'll cover means to clean the posh head lights.

[ash-e30]

my bro had them on his tourer, he didnt like them so just toke them of changed the bottle and then went down scrappy and got new grills n head light rings so there was no wholes, think its a personal taste