Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Is it possible to remove the wiper motor in situ ? It does not work and I cannot reach the wiring to check if there is any electric arriving from the switch . Is there any relay ? Never seen any on my other cars .
Thanks .

Diablo
The only way of removing it is to take out the Dashboard as you cannot get to the connections to the Drive Spindles any other way, sorry I know that is not what you wanted to hear !!!

Hate to disagree with Peter but it is possible although quite fiddly. I had problems with the rack sticking in the tubing and then the self parking not working so the motor was in and out quite a number of times.

The workshop manual procedure is -
1. Disconect battery
2. Pull out wiring block from motor
3. Release nut holding tubing to motor
4. Release screws securing mounting strap
5. Remove motor from strap together with the rack.

Before you do step 5 remove the wipers from the wheelboxes as the spindles turns as you pull the rack out.

Just been through this on my S3. I agree with Stuart, but I did remove the glovebox first, then this gives you access to the wiper gearbox. If you remove the sets crews on the cover, then disconnect the crank mechanism, you can remove the wiper motor leaving the rack in situ. It is then much easier to pull the rack out /re-insert with it disconnected from the motor, IYSWIM (leaving the wiper pinions in place). I recommend removing the rack to re-grease as mine was nearly solid with 50 year old grease.
I was able to get new motor brushes and a wiper park switch off eBay.
Good luck
Malcolm

+1 on Stuart's process. I did the same and my S4 is LHD. Pulled the whole thing out, then replaced the motor and feed it back in. Very straightforward. Dan

I stand corrected although I cannot see how you could get to the Rack retaining nut without removing the Glovebox and mine was attached in such a way that the Dash had to come out first, I thought they were all like that !!

Thank you for the prompt replies from you all , I forgot a detail , my car is LHD so I cannot reach the motor via that way . Any other suggestion ?
Diablo

Sure you can. My car is LHD also. If you stick you head in the drivers footwell and look up and to the left you will see it. If you want to check electric first, unless it and test. For removal, its just a couple of nuts and the unit is free, then unscrew the nut on the tubing and it pulls out like a long snake. It's very easy. Dan

Since it is so difficult to see the unit, maybe looking at the diagram online will help you.

http://www.rdent.com/manuals/index.html
Click on elan
Click on electrical
Click on windscreen
Click on wiper

You are now looking at it from the front. You can see where the two bolts hold the unit in place with the mounting bracket and where the nut needs to be unscrewed to release the tubing.

My car is in for paint, or I would take a picture of it from inside the drivers footwell.

Good Luck, Dan

FYI

I had a situation where the thin steel conduit housing the wiper drive cable was kinked and jamming the cable - likely from a rough reinstall - I replaced the tube with 3/8" soft copper plumbing pipe (usually available in a roll). It is of close dimension and bendable as required. A flaring tool for fitment of the clamped ends helps.

I couldn't find a proper replacement tube for my TR3 but the above worked a dream.

Bill

Finally , I found the failure without removing the motor . I took the connection out of the motor , check if there was any electricity coming from the switch , it was Ok . I found a black wire connected to ......nothing . I suspect it to be the ground wire , which it was ! After connecting it to the ground , the wipers worked good !!
Thank again for the forum help .
Diablo