19 replies to this topic

[Maccmike8]

Hi folk.

Can anyone advise on the little V spring orientation please. Ive taken it apart fault finding and cant work out the correct way.

[Ethel]

You mean the one that pings out when you remove the stalk from the plate. Sure we had more than a few topics back in the day....

 

https://www.theminif...ow-wiper-issue/

[Maccmike8]

I did use search I swear. Youre very helpful thank you.

You mean the one that pings out when you remove the stalk from the plate. Sure we had more than a few topics back in the day....

 

https://www.theminif...ow-wiper-issue/

[Designer]

Everybody swears when working on a Mini it is compulsory      

[Ethel]

 

I did use search I swear. Youre very helpful thank you.

You mean the one that pings out when you remove the stalk from the plate. Sure we had more than a few topics back in the day....

 

https://www.theminif...ow-wiper-issue/

 

I google site:theminiforum.co.uk followed by what I'm looking for. Works better than the built in search engine & you can look at the piccies it finds.

 

Helped I already knew what I'd find too.

[Maccmike8]

Id searched wiper stalk spring. Although it brought up results it didnt have a picture.

 

 

I did use search I swear. Youre very helpful thank you.

You mean the one that pings out when you remove the stalk from the plate. Sure we had more than a few topics back in the day....

 

https://www.theminif...ow-wiper-issue/

 

I google site:theminiforum.co.uk followed by what I'm looking for. Works better than the built in search engine & you can look at the piccies it finds.

 

Helped I already knew what I'd find too.

 

[Ethel]

If it's clearer, put site:theminiforum.co.uk wiper stalk spring in your browser address bar. When it returns the search results you can click on the images tab.

[Maccmike8]

Damn cant believe I didnt click image. Im a dope.

If it's clearer, put site:theminiforum.co.uk wiper stalk spring in your browser address bar. When it returns the search results you can click on the images tab.

[chuee]

I have 'flick-to-wipe' switch problems with both of two new stalks. This has occurred with both stalks supplied over the past two months.

One was supplied because upon testing a newly fitted  stalk,  flick-to-wipe failed and a further electrical test  showed connection of green power to G/R slow speed was failing for the flick to wipe function.

(NOTE: flick-to-wipe is the momentary spring switch action of the wiper stalk when pressing it down to its lowest position.. a momentary spring wiper-on slow speed  switch)

A second new stalk in my hands , I tested it electrically  before fitting, and flick-to-wipe worked  electrically... green power connected to the slow speed G/R. But...
When I fitted it,  the flick to wipe no longer  worked!  Electrical testing with it fitted on the car  now showed  failure.  

[edit: correct me if wrong, the live feed to the wiper motor  may be R/G - I am going from memory]

I went back to the first stalk which was  off the car, and flick to wipe electrical connection now worked! 

 

Next, When I had the  new wiper stalk No1 plugged in to the harness, but dangling with the two-bolt metal plate fitted as supplied, and  not bolted to the main metal joining  plate of the indicator stalk the flick to wipe worked as expected.

       -  i.e. the wiper blade moved then stopped upon release of my finger pressure on  the switch spring!

I next ref-fitted the new stalk no1.
The blasted thing no longer worked! 

 

Fitting notes:

 

Note 1: The wiper stalk comes with a small metal cover over the brass poles, and it may be only to keep it all clean and nice before fitting, but could be necessary for fitting underneath the indicator stalk metal joining plate - I'm no sure , but suspect it is necessary to fit because it is dead flat, whereas the indicator stalk plate has a depression;  I tried with both metal plates as well as with just the one joining plate;
Result: Neither methods worked when bolted up. only when off the car, or plugged in but not bolted to the indicator.

 

Note 2: The third outer screw: should it go over the joining plate or underneath it; the hole on the joining plate there is much larger, suggesting the second option , underneath. But that larger hole would also accommodate  a  raised plastic part on the stalk into which the screw fits.  I'm not sure which is right.

Note 3. I  tried various degrees of bolt tightness, without good effect.

 

My Conclusion:

 

It occurred to me that bolting the wiper stalk  up to the indicator stalk's metal plate was deforming the  wipe stalk plastic body, such that  the flick to wipe no longer worked.
I decided the problem  must be about form quality of plastics or metal plate, OR else wrong method of fitting.



Follow all that?     Wiper flick failure may be  a  problem  of quality of the housing and/or joining plates,   OR  their fitting, which several  of us  could be having but not easily recognize.


John


 

Edited by chuee, 02 July 2025 - 12:37 AM.

[chuee]

PS. My indicator stalk was replaced about a year ago. I  think that perhaps that is when my flick-to wipe went down, but didn't realise the indicator stalk to wiper stalk joining plate may have been the cause; I went ahead and replaced the wiper stalks recently, as reported above. 

 

Conclusion:
It is  most likely that the form of  indicator stalk joining plate is causing the problem, or  if not my fitting method is wrong; Yet to try the outer screw underneath the joining plate.

Edited by chuee, 02 July 2025 - 12:32 AM.

[Mixagon]

I'm having the same problem, the wiper switch works when not bolted to the plate  but as soon as its bolted in place the flick wipe does not work. My new switch came without the small 3 hole plate so I tried with the plate off my old broken switch and without the plate but still no flick wipe.  
I tried leaving the bolts loose and various degrees of tightness but no luck. I did notice the v spring inside was sometimes sparking when trying the flick wipe so I bent it a little and that seems to have worked but for how long ? 
Had to end the session for now but will have another look tomorrow and test it further. 

[Spider]

I just replaced mine.

What I found is the flange on the screws used now are a wee bit bigger in dia than the originals. If it's assembled as per the way the original came out, the flange will bind on the Indicator Plate and cause the Switch to jam.

When I fitted mine, I carefully removed the centre screw, fitted and screwed it on to the Plate, then re-fitted this screw. Works fine.

[chuee]

I'm having the same problem, the wiper switch works when not bolted to the plate  but as soon as its bolted in place the flick wipe does not work. My new switch came without the small 3 hole plate so I tried with the plate off my old broken switch and without the plate but still no flick wipe.  
I tried leaving the bolts loose and various degrees of tightness but no luck. I did notice the v spring inside was sometimes sparking when trying the flick wipe so I bent it a little and that seems to have worked but for how long ? 
Had to end the session for now but will have another look tomorrow and test it further. 

Hello Mixagon. I'm surprised to hear it came without a plate; that sounds  quite wrong to me. From my careful examinations I  think it can't possibly  work without that plate. 

I finished all the tests: I myself have again tried with the outer bolt  of the wiper switch gear left in place,  simply bolted to hold the switch mechanism down, but not bolted to the plate; INSTEAD,
-  that bolt head, already fixed to the switch gear,  simply locates into the larger hole in the plate. This is how I strongly suspect it is supposed to be.

 

Also,  I clearly remember how that was the way my original Rover gear was fixed when I took over this car, and wondered if it had mistakenly been installed like that by previous owner; apparently not.

You confirm to then, that as for the new replacement switches, seems they do not always (or ever)  work  once bolted down correctly, although they work when off the plate.



I hope you had a neat way of working on those small bolts with a ratchet wrench  when trying all those test! Its a painfully slow  job otherwise swapping it about several times.

[chuee]

I just replaced mine.

What I found is the flange on the screws used now are a wee bit bigger in dia than the originals. If it's assembled as per the way the original came out, the flange will bind on the Indicator Plate and cause the Switch to jam.

When I fitted mine, I carefully removed the centre screw, fitted and screwed it on to the Plate, then re-fitted this screw. Works fine.

 

Glad to hear you found success Spider!

I'd appreciate a wee bit of clarification, if it's gonna help me. I find your instruction clear enough in language, but difficult to follow in practice; 

BY 'center screw' do you mean the  outer screw on the wiper switch gear?
 

THis following bit I can't follow - could you re-word it for me , please?  >>  you,  'took it out and screwed it to the Plate, then re-ftted this screw' 
 

[Spider]

Ah fair play mate.

It's the screw that goes in to the Pivot for the stalk. Careful you don't bump it or drop it as it'll come to bits without the screw in place.

The other 2 screws are the mounting screws, they hold it to the plate.