Headlight wipers

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chawks

Active Member
Posts
346
Quick question - are the headlight wipers part of the MOT? I.e. Fail if they don't work? Some say no some say if you have xenon headlights yes??
Mines an 02 plate 4.4 HSE L322 - would it have xenons?
 
If they're fitted they'll have to work. So if they don't take them off!!
I think Xenon headlamps need to have a wash wipe system.... but your MOT tester will know for sure.
 
If they're fitted they'll have to work. So if they don't take them off!!
I think Xenon headlamps need to have a wash wipe system.... but your MOT tester will know for sure.

Anything like HID needs either wipers or a washer to stop the light pattern diffusing with dirt and dazzling people.
 
I don't think I'm hijacking the thread here. Not appropriate to start a new one. I've just gone one pair of headlights out of two junk ones.The lamp wipers work but I can't get them to park as I'd expect. Goosed? MOT fail? Regards. P.
 
I don't think I'm hijacking the thread here. Not appropriate to start a new one. I've just gone one pair of headlights out of two junk ones.The lamp wipers work but I can't get them to park as I'd expect. Goosed? MOT fail? Regards. P.

Cars fitted with HID lamps MUST have headlamp wipers or high pressure wash. If they don't work it is an MOT fail. Cars not fitted with HID lamps do not need headlamps wipers and they are not covered on MOT, only none functioning windscreen wipers are a fail. If headlamp wipers are fitted to a P38 they should operate every third application of screen wipers. Or when wipers are manually activated by lifting stalk.
 
Can we say that if these don't park properly, they're shot at? Can I predict the answer as being a big fat "yes"? Thankfully I've doctored all the fixings so that I can remove the units without destroying them.
Hope you're all OK this morning. Regards. P.
 
Can we say that if these don't park properly, they're shot at? Can I predict the answer as being a big fat "yes"? Thankfully I've doctored all the fixings so that I can remove the units without destroying them.
Hope you're all OK this morning. Regards. P.

Not sure. Not got wipers on mine so not played. I know they sometimes don't park properly and that can cause issues. @martyuk will probably know.
 
The wipers can get a bit off their normal 'parked' place (P38, no idea about L322) but generally I think it's more to do with the splines on the shaft, or it could be the park switch in the wiper itself.
I've heard of them causing random battery drain because not parking properly - but as far as operation goes... again on P38... they will come on ONLY if the headlamps are on, and only then on the FIRST wash/wipe press of the button for the front screen, and then every SECOND front screen wash/wipe.

If you get LOW WASHER FLUID warning on the dash, then the headlamp wash/wipe is disabled until the washer fluid is topped up.
I've seen plenty of P38's with wonky headlamp wipers, and don't think it's generally a problem (certainly not MOT issue) as long as a) they work as they're supposed to, and b) when they are 'parked' it obviously isn't in front of the part of the lens the light is coming out!

I would have thought that if the park switch was faulty though, then the wipers would either not trigger at all, or not stop properly. Stopping in the wrong place could be the wiper isn't aligned properly on the splines.

Again, not sure about the L322 version...
 
The wipers can get a bit off their normal 'parked' place (P38, no idea about L322) but generally I think it's more to do with the splines on the shaft, or it could be the park switch in the wiper itself.
I've heard of them causing random battery drain because not parking properly - but as far as operation goes... again on P38... they will come on ONLY if the headlamps are on, and only then on the FIRST wash/wipe press of the button for the front screen, and then every SECOND front screen wash/wipe.

If you get LOW WASHER FLUID warning on the dash, then the headlamp wash/wipe is disabled until the washer fluid is topped up.
I've seen plenty of P38's with wonky headlamp wipers, and don't think it's generally a problem (certainly not MOT issue) as long as a) they work as they're supposed to, and b) when they are 'parked' it obviously isn't in front of the part of the lens the light is coming out!

I would have thought that if the park switch was faulty though, then the wipers would either not trigger at all, or not stop properly. Stopping in the wrong place could be the wiper isn't aligned properly on the splines.

Again, not sure about the L322 version...

There are no splines on the shaft, as far as i am aware wiper is held in place on a taper fitting. ;)
 
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I thought they were splined, they look it in this pic:

Wiper%20Motor.jpg


But either way - wear in the splines/break of the taper could mean the wiper blade ends up not returning properly.Or maybe even wear in the gearing inside the motor unit itself could cause the wiper to have not fully returned by the time the motor has tripped the 'park' switch.
 
I thought they were splined, they look it in this pic:

Wiper%20Motor.jpg


But either way - wear in the splines/break of the taper could mean the wiper blade ends up not returning properly.Or maybe even wear in the gearing inside the motor unit itself could cause the wiper to have not fully returned by the time the motor has tripped the 'park' switch.

Yep look splined on that. But can't say i noticed splines on my N/S when i had it off the other day. There is however a fair amount of slop in the shaft rotationally. To be expected after years of use i suppose. ;)
 
I'm not surprised you didn't notice the splines if you were having it off Tony.;):D

Ha ha the master of innuendo. How is ya Alan getting better i trust. Had a call from he who cannot be named the other day believe he phoned you and now has a depleted bank balance. :D:D;)
 
Yes he did but he reversed the charge ! He asked if I knew who it was calling me, that was easy, who else fills your ear with cake crumbs when they phone? :eek::D I'm well on the mend thanks mate. Just got back from a week away, should have been three but had to miss the first two due to a chest infection. If I had known I was going to Iive this long I would have taken better care of myself.:cool: ;)
 
Yes he did but he reversed the charge ! He asked if I knew who it was calling me, that was easy, who else fills your ear with cake crumbs when they phone? :eek::D I'm well on the mend thanks mate. Just got back from a week away, should have been three but had to miss the first two due to a chest infection. If I had known I was going to Iive this long I would have taken better care of myself.:cool: ;)

You and me both mate, you and me both. ;);)
 
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