Wiper problem is now sending me insane!

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bluehaze said:
Andy, did the problem exist prior to changing the return to park sensor?

Have you traced the lives to the wiper stalk?
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Hi Bluehaze ... can't really remember ... all I know is it only used to do it when I flashed the lights or used main beam ... the indicating left and turning head lights on issue has only recently started on top of it! I remember checking the wiper motor earth when I fitted the park switch so I think I must have noticed the fault before I fitted the park switch.
I've just stripped the column down again in my lunch break but still no wiser.
One day ... I will find it :eek:
 
It sounds like you've got an intermitant fault in the earth that supplies the left hand wing electrics. The headlamps/indicators are trying to source another earth feed, and on defenders it's usually through the wiper motor. trying to think about it logically I'm wondering if you were to disconnect the left hand h/lamps, indicator & side repeater etc the fault, as such, should disappear. If thats the case then there's perhaps a break in the wiring from the earthing post to lamps etc.
 
noddy94 said:
It sounds like you've got an intermitant fault in the earth that supplies the left hand wing electrics. The headlamps/indicators are trying to source another earth feed, and on defenders it's usually through the wiper motor. trying to think about it logically I'm wondering if you were to disconnect the left hand h/lamps, indicator & side repeater etc the fault, as such, should disappear. If thats the case then there's perhaps a break in the wiring from the earthing post to lamps etc.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm still thinking along these lines too ... even though I've moved the inner wing earth point to a better place I just can't seem to see where any other earths go to. A little awkward down there to say the least but I think I'll take the left hand headlight out and have a look from the front. Everything that's happening points to the left hand side like you said.
Thanks for the reply ... I'm hoping to have the problem sorted by April 29th so that I can have a street party on the same day as the Royals :D
 
OK Pal, time for the next daft elimination idea.

Accepting it can be intermittent, what happens if you take the indicator and side light bulbs out, and disconnect the headlamp connector?

Honestly not sure whether you need to remove one at a time and test or do all 3 together

This one has got me puzzled, and more than a little curious
 
If you accept that it is an earthing problem then fit a rheostat (not sure that's how it is spelt). Maplins or similar will sell one for less than a pound and fit it to the earth on the wiper stalk. Thus preventing the lights or indicators from earthing to the wipers.

Not a long term cure.
 
Thanks SH and BH ... had a quick look down there again a few minutes ago after the folks had gone and had a good inspection of all the wires, or as many as I could and found the following: After unplugging the headlight connector I found a scotchlock connector on the main beam stalk which I assume was where the previous had tapped into the feed for the spotlights. I left this as it is, I couldn't see it being the problem. Also on the blue wire I found a fractured bit of cable where it looks like a scotchlock had been. Maybe hen tapped into the wrong one, changed it and left it fractured ... just a guess but could be important. Also I traced the earth back from the indicator which went into a grey connector. A wire came out of the other side of this and was connected to .... nowt, diddly squat! Only a very thin wire but black and bare ended. I have now insulated the fractured blue cable and earthed this loose black one to the new earth I fitted the other day.
Right, my fingers are well and truly crossed as I couldn't take it off for a test drive as i's right under my 1 yr olds bedroom window and he'd just gone to sleep.
I am now desperate to see if I've fixed it but won't know until the 6.30am dog walk.
SH, if it's fixed I'll call it Haggis inspiration :):)

Thanks again guys ... for sharing my pain.
 
Andy Land said:
I traced the earth back from the indicator which went into a grey connector. A wire came out of the other side of this and was connected to .... nowt, diddly squat! Only a very thin wire but black and bare ended. quote]


Sounds a possible contender Andy - do hope so

Just wondered why you earthned the thin black wire, rather than removing the grey connector and insulating?

I'm off to Yorkshire Monday for 5 days with chums so no Internet or email - PM me with the result when you get a chance please

PS -and just to let you know you're not alone, as well as the 3 extra gauges I fitted on Saturday, I picked up a clock (my dash had a blanking plug in one hole) - after wiring NONE of the dashboard warning lights worked (indicators ,fog lamp etc etc) - 3 hours pulling apart, steering column apart etc etc - turned out to be slight corrosion where the bulbs twist into the copper connectors:doh:

Must have been pure chance that they decided to stop working as I fitted the clock, but didn't stop me taking apart every connector I could find:eek:

On the plus side, I now know how that dash works, and got to use my new electrical test probe:D
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Last edited:
Station House said:
Andy Land said:
I traced the earth back from the indicator which went into a grey connector. A wire came out of the other side of this and was connected to .... nowt, diddly squat! Only a very thin wire but black and bare ended. quote]


Sounds a possible contender Andy - do hope so

Just wondered why you earthned the thin black wire, rather than removing the grey connector and insulating?

I'm off to Yorkshire Monday for 5 days with chums so no Internet or email - PM me with the result when you get a chance please

PS -and just to let you know you're not alone, as well as the 3 extra gauges I fitted on Saturday, I picked up a clock (my dash had a blanking plug in one hole) - after wiring NONE of the dashboard warning lights worked (indicators ,fog lamp etc etc) - 3 hours pulling apart, steering column apart etc etc - turned out to be slight corrosion where the bulbs twist into the copper connectors:doh:

Must have been pure chance that they decided to stop working as I fitted the clock, but didn't stop me taking apart every connector I could find:eek:

On the plus side, I now know how that dash works, and got to use my new electrical test probe:D
Click to expand...

Funny about the clock as I've been looking on ebay for one ... I have a blanking plate too and so I rely on the stereo for the time. Don't always have that on though as I'm constantly listening for other noises as we all are :D

Pleased you got it sorted ... amazing what a little corrosion does to Landy electrics ... plays havoc with indicators and side lights too if you have a bit of corrosion in them. I think the electrics on Defenders were designed by a gas fitter on April fools day :doh:
Anyway, have a great time with your mates, don't forget to take your workshop manual to read when you get withdrawal symptoms! :D
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Pleasure

Think he's decent - he 'accidentally' sent me an ammeter rather than a clock first time round, but seemed genuinely apologetic and sent the clock by next day - you just never know though:eek:

Ammeter was in pretty shocking cosmetic conditon and had no lamp holder, so as he said he had several clocks (hence suggesting an off ebay deal) i asked him to find me a decent one with the bulb - i prefer to avoid the auction game if I can as not usually about when they end!

To be fair, he did.

No issue with you telling him I'd mentioned him to you
 
Just a crazy idea that might well be totaly wrong but have you tried holding the wiper stalk sOlid with 1 hand and indicating with the other (not while driving!) I noticed that if I indicate, it moved the other stalk quite alot. Thaught it could be triggering your wipers?
 
Karlos28 said:
Just a crazy idea that might well be totaly wrong but have you tried holding the wiper stalk sOlid with 1 hand and indicating with the other (not while driving!) I noticed that if I indicate, it moved the other stalk quite alot. Thaught it could be triggering your wipers?
Click to expand...

Thanks Karlos but not the problem I'm afraid as it also does it sporadically just from having the headlights on. Fitted a new stalk too and checked all that area out whilst doing so (and again since) but made no difference. I'm convinced it is in the left wing area somewhere but running out of ideas. Hey ho!
 
Hmm rip the wires out and re do it! Weekends work at max and at least you will narrow eliminate any loose connections!
 
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