Series IIA Lucas wipers - here's a puzzle

**damiane** · 22nd April 2015, 08:33 PM

So I'm driving this 1970 Series IIA SWB back from the Peninsula (in Vic) to the burbs and it's raining so I turn on the wipers. Simple switch; "Off" or "On". Wipers working away in sequence moving some of the water but slapping the window frame 'tap' wipe 'tap' wipe 'tap'; very irritating. Rain stops so I turn off the wipers. A little while later a few more drops of rain. I turn on the wipers and after a few wipes they stop . . . . . . . . .vertically!!!! and no amount of turning the witch on and off reactivates the wipers. They remain upright in the middle of the windscreens. Fortunately the rain gives up anyway.

Next day I pull the panel of the dash to reveal this

I have already unplugged the motor at this point.

First question is: am I getting power to the motor? But wait!! The schematic for this Series shows TWO wires for a one-speed motor but this plug has four wires (including the earth).

This must be a two-speed motor. Sure enough the Series III schematic matches the wire colours on the wires in the plug to the motor. But the switch is not a three-position switch . . . . Remember . . . . . 'On' or 'Off'.

So what is going on? Has anyone struck this before?

Should I order a three position switch?

Land Rover surely wouldn't use a four wire plug into a one-speed motor. Indeed Lucas wouldn't build a motor with a four wire plug if it was only a one-speed motor would it?

I realize all Series landies changed incrementally but this is baffling.

**ezyrama** · 24th April 2015, 07:33 PM

They probably used the same wiring on all wipers and only wired up for either one or two speeds depending on the car. If it is a two speed motor, try connecting up the 2nd speed. I have one of each motors 1speed on Ralph and a spare 2 speed motor, both plugs are the same

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**Homestar** · 24th April 2015, 07:43 PM

Does look and sound like a 2 speed wiper and wiring. Could have been done during a resto - the PO may have needed to replace the switch and had a single speed unit kicking around or could be like other stuff in series LR's and during a change to new parts they ran out of single speed wiring looms before running out of single speed switches. Check the switch end - what's the wiring look like in there?

Sounds like the excuse I need to come and have a look first hand.

**damiane** · 24th April 2015, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by ezyrama

They probably used the same wiring on all wipers and only wired up for either one or two speeds depending on the car. If it is a two speed motor, try connecting up the 2nd speed. I have one of each motors 1speed on Ralph and a spare 2 speed motor, both plugs are the same

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dipthrong retarder technology.

Thanks ezy

Grief! Really? What were they smoking at the Land Rover assembly plant? I will have a close look in the morning now that I have got wire and bulldog clamp to establish a solid earth.

If it is a two-speed motor I'm clearly going to need a two-speed switch. Incidentally I don't see a control for the washers? Where should that be?

regards

Damian

**damiane** · 24th April 2015, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by bacicat

Does look and sound like a 2 speed wiper and wiring. Could have been done during a resto - the PO may have needed to replace the switch and had a single speed unit kicking around or could be like other stuff in series LR's and during a change to new parts they ran out of single speed wiring looms before running out of single speed switches. Check the switch end - what's the wiring look like in there?

Sounds like the excuse I need to come and have a look first hand.

I'll take a pic tomorrow Gav. My recollection is that the relevant terminals were present in the plastic receiver but I might be wrong. Am I right in thinking that wipers may have stalled in vertical position because of hardened grease rather than the motor having "given up"? It has been sitting garaged for a long time.

Excellent excuse I would suggest.

Damian

**Homestar** · 24th April 2015, 08:12 PM

A good clean out and regrease of the motor would be a good start. The bronze bearing in the back may be quite stiff as well which won't help. Did it blow a fuse? Hi current draw due to it stalling may - and probably should have done.

I'll see if I can fit in a visit next week sometime.

**rovers4** · 24th April 2015, 08:13 PM

Hi,
On my IIA it was a push plunger mounted on the lower lh corner of the central instrument cluster. i.e. a physical hand pump in the water line.

Yes, they were an ever evolving migration from model to model.

And mine had just one speed. I later fitted an intermittent kit. It worked well.

rovers4

**damiane** · 24th April 2015, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by bacicat

A good clean out and regrease of the motor would be a good start. The bronze bearing in the back may be quite stiff as well which won't help. Did it blow a fuse? Hi current draw due to it stalling may - and probably should have done.

I'll see if I can fit in a visit next week sometime.

I'll strip it tomorrow AND check the fuse (embarrassed I haven't done this but I thought since everything else was working and given the few fuses that support everything else it was probably not just a fuse). Shall be a right dill if that's the problem

**Homestar** · 24th April 2015, 08:38 PM

Chances are you're right with the fuse - if one had blown you probably would have stopped.

Keep us posted.

schuy1 · 25th April 2015, 06:13 PM

1 wire will be power for the auto parking (yes, they do have it!) May be there is 2 wires for that? Been a while since I had to play with wiper wiring!

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