RHD BT6 Windscreen Wipers

[simon james]

The wipers on my 356 have ceased to function.
They were fine and I think(!?) when I switch them on I can hear the relay faintly click leading me to question the effectiveness of the earth.
Before I start stripping out the ashtray, radio and other obstructions, can anyone tell me the physical location of the earth?, just in case (hopefully!) it terminates somewhere more accessible!

[roy mawbey]

Simon,
My 59 356A I recon is similar to your early 356B, Over 57 years I have peered underneath the dash of my car which is factory original and hoped I would never have to remove the wiper assembly. its a pain to get to. I bought a spare RHD wiper assembly including motor in 1972 and never have used it. All the wires were chopped off 2 inches from the motor I saw 2 brown wires so decided to look at the Factory service repair manual and the Elfrink repair book. I have seen their comments about wipers that fall to operate and I am posting below the main points. I post these below:

When the wiper motor operates slowly or stops motor brushes could be dirty or worn, brush springs can be too weak or the brush holders not free on the pivots or the commutator dirty.
When he motor is inoperative open cirduit or blown fuse test with testn light or just change the fuse mine is fuse number 4 in the box. They also mention if the pole shoe is dislocated by a blow on the motor this can cause this check the armature for true movement. The armature could be burnt by a short circuit or discolated pole shoe.
They mention to remove the wiper assembly the following needs to take place
Untrack both wiper arm linkages remove clamping screw on drive lever and pull it out
Detach cables and connections and tqke off wiper motor. ( Simon no mention of how you get the motor clear of the dash! )

They say when installing the motor proceed in the reverse but grease joints and check the adjustment of the pull switch and if necessary adjust the
Bowden pull switch for wiper motor If the adjustment is correct it should be possible to feel the engagement of the ball notch and the motor should start immediately. They then say connect motor to electrical system and pull the Bowden pull switch loosen the locknut on the switch with a 11mm spanner until the motor is running . For safety turn the sleeve another full turn and tighten lock nut. The bowden cable should not vibrate !! if set properly. Simon this does not look that easy to do !! Also it seems many spares are not avaliable. If in the end you have no success I have a unit but I hope you can get it done maybe a 356 specialist like PRS has been down this road before and knows the best was do it.I don't drive my car in the wet anymore !!!

Roy

[simon james]

Roy, that really is very good information, Thank You.
Looks like I’m going to have to bite the bullet and delve under the dash .

[Winston Teague]

I guess from this that the RHD assembly is different from the LHD BT5.......I've been in and changed the 6v motor for a 12v motor, as the franticness of the 6v with-12v-going-in didn't really wipe the screen. It didn't park either. Photograph the wiring layout before disconnecting anything and clear out the radio to enhance the view. Disconnect the battery, and I would (did) remove the seats, this gives a sensible arm length working distance, and a suitable focal length for eyeballs in their 50s (you may not yet have this problem). I would also get some washer hose in stock too as this had gone brittle and started snapping off whilst I was in there. Good luck, W

[simon james]

Sound advice as always Winston, especially the seat removal! Thank You.
Before I venture into the abyss, I’m going to spend time cleaning the fuse box wires, terminals and contacts, I see evidence of light rust and verdigris…

[Winston Teague]

The cheapo aluminium strip continental fuses available these days are rubbish compared to the brass or copper lined ones of old. The tips of the fuses really need a clean, probably every year. We are constantly hunting for a source of the copper/brass type for work, but they are difficult to find. If anyone knows where to get them, please say! W

[simon james]

Fair point.
I did clean the fuse box (I have a mixture of aluminium and copper fuses).
I also noted that my fuses don’t do what they should according to the strip of faded print inside.
Looks like someone has been in before and coupled it up all wrong.
Looking at an old diagram it appears as though some of the live wires should be connected to one another…

[roy mawbey]

Simon just a point I looked on google ' porsche 356A windscreen wiper motor ' and a number of them were available at prices around £60- It might be one way of solving it all if the fuses and wiring turn out to be okay after checking.

Roy

[simon james]

That’s great Roy!
Thank You!
I’ve not touched the car since last weekend, been busy with The House Build and any spare time swapping the steering gear and greasing up an early twenties car, just in case I do sneak a day off!