5 replies to this topic

[Mart]

First poster, I have tried searching already but couldn't find anything

Sprite
1993
The Issue

Yesterday I discovered the wipers had stopped working, in fact it's the whole right stalk - including washer jets.

I had a look at the fuses and the 3rd fuse down had popped, awesome I thought, I have a spare \o/
Gave the contacts a quick brush up, replaced with new 25A Fuse, turned ignition on. Newly replaced fuse starts smoking? Eek!

Cast my eye to the right and one of the inline fuse housing has "melted"! I can pull the fuse out with part of the plastic melted to it and bayonet still intact.
The inline fuse has orange wires either side, not sure if there is another colour.

Wipers still don't work obviously.

Further testing: leaving the fuse in place, turning on ignition the left side of the fuse gets bloody hot quickly.

My questions are:

Am I only going to be without wipers if I remove the fuse and drive the car? (To a friend with a mutlimeter lol)
Any ideas what the inline fuse is for, and why it has melted?
Any ideas why the fuse gets so damn hot, obviously there is something wrong with the wipers, I assume the motor is trying to move the blades one full stroke fore and back because I tried them, hence finding out they don't work.

Any non-standard parts that might be involved with the problem?

The mini has after market spot lights which currently aren't working either, unknown as to whether this is connected as I can't work out atm where they are plumbed in. I assume, perhaps wrongly, not on the same circuit as the wipers as the spots used to come on with Flash / Main beam

Assistance and advice is greatly appreciated

Mart

[Dan]

Unplug the wiper motor and then refit the fuse, if there is still a problem pull the fuse again and try something else. If unplugging the motor fixes the problem you probably need a new park switch.

[Mart]

Unplug the wiper motor and then refit the fuse, if there is still a problem pull the fuse again and try something else. If unplugging the motor fixes the problem you probably need a new park switch.

Sorry, can you explain what unplugging the motor is going to do, I'm in no way criticising your answer, just trying to get an understanding. Thanks

[taffy1967]

First of all this is the colour and in-line fuse information which should also be relevant to your Mini?: -

15amp - Purple/Orange Wire
Hazard Warning & Interior Lamps


15amp - Brown/Orange Wire
Dim-Dip Lighting


10amp - Blue/Orange Wire
Rear Fog Guard Lamps


15amp - Blue/Red Wire
Auxiliary Cooling Fan (where fitted)

Dan is recommending you disconnect the wiper motor as a faulty wiper motor park-switch can and will cause a short circuit that can keep blowing the main fuse.

So if your windscreen wipers had stopped parking themselves prior to the problem you're having now, then the park-switch is the most likely culprit.




Plus there is the: -

Standard 4 fuse box mounted on the bulkhead: -


1 1-2 35amp Brake Lights, Reverse Lights, Direction Indicators & Rear Screen Demister.

2 3-4 25amp Horn, Headlamp Flasher, Brake Failure Circuit & Radio Memory.

3 5-6 25amp Heater Blower Motor, Windscreen Wipers, Washer Motor & Instruments.

4 7-8 15amp Side & Tail Lights & Panel Lights.


1-2 These circuits only operate with the ignition switch at position "II".

5-6 These circuits only operate with the ignition switch at position "I" or "II".

Edited by taffy1967, 12 September 2009 - 11:20 PM.

[Dan]

Yes, if you disconnect the motor and the circuit starts working properly you know the problem is in the motor. If the problem remains then it must be somewhere else. The wiper motor is not the only item on that fuse circuit.

[Mart]

Appreciate the info, I'll go have a cup of tea and get my head back under the bonnet

Thanks very much guys, I'll let you know how I get on.