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Slow Wipers

Discussion in '365 GT4 2+2/400/412' started by SouthJersey400i, Sep 29, 2007.

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  1. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,679
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    #1 SouthJersey400i, Sep 29, 2007
    My '84 400i has slow moving wipers. Problem is really bad if motor is just idling; they will come to a stop half way up in low speed and barely move up in high speed. With motor above idle they move faster and clearly faster on way down than on way up.

    I have lubed all of the lever points and they all move freely. Is there a way to lubricate the gearbox without taking it apart?

    More likely, motor is weak or not getting enough voltage.

    Anyone had similar experience? Solutions?

    I try not to drive in the rain but that doesn't always work since I use the car for long weekend trips planned in advance.
    Ken
     
  2. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 23, 2006
    11,998
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    Dave
    #2 dstacy, Sep 29, 2007
    Its a voltage drop. Check and clean all the connections. Replace the relay (you should replace them all and keep the old ones as spares). Clean the blade on the fuse.

    By the way, when operating correctly Ferrari wipers only work at 2 speeds; slow and real slow.
     
  3. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,679
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    #3 SouthJersey400i, Sep 30, 2007
    Dave
    Where is the relay? Is it in the fuse compartment under the glove box? or local to the wipers? Fuses are all clean, but I need to find a small hand to get to the connector on the wiper motor.

    Are relays generic?
    Ken
     
  4. Davidindallas

    Davidindallas Formula Junior

    Nov 5, 2003
    344
    #4 Davidindallas, Sep 30, 2007
    Pull back the carpet from where the front passenger's feet go. That's where it is on the 412.
     
  5. ArtS

    ArtS F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2003
    13,375
    Central NJ
    #5 ArtS, Sep 30, 2007
    Ken,

    Are you trying to drive in the rain :D .


    By the way, on a slightly different but related topic; do your wiper blades lift off of the window if you try to use them while driving at high speed? On my old car ('65 mfg) this has been a bit of an annoyance. Putting Carello high speed wipers with a 13 inch length (instead of a 15 inch length) helped a bit but they still lift if I puch it - actually kind of entertaining, watching them sweep through the air, as long as I use rainX.

    Regards,

    Art S.
     
  6. dstacy

    dstacy F1 World Champ
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    Jan 23, 2006
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    Dave
    #6 dstacy, Sep 30, 2007
    Ken, as stated above the relays are under the carpeting on the pass. side. They are Bosch relays. The original part numbers have been superseeded to a new number. Call these guys: http://www.waytekwire.com/ they have the relays you'll need, cheap too. There are 2 part numbers; purple and brown, these 2 will replace 90% of what is in your relay board. Save the old ones for spares.
    If they can't help with the supersession let me know and I'll go out to the warehouse and get the part #'s for you.
     
  7. SouthJersey400i

    SouthJersey400i Formula 3

    Mar 14, 2007
    1,679
    Romulus, NY (Finger Lakes)
    Full Name:
    Ken Battle
    #7 SouthJersey400i, Oct 1, 2007
    I'll check relay next weekend. I'll clean contacts first and test. I may swap two relays and retest. It is not normal for a relay to increase in resistance; they just fail on on or off.

    I am think I may have a grounding issue as I have one or two other gremlins that seem similar. I just solved a major electrical headache this weekend by fitting a new ground from the battery to the chassis.

    I'll update next w/e. thanks for input. Dave I bookmarked the electrical supply place.
    Ken
     
  8. Highmiler

    Highmiler Formula Junior

    Dec 8, 2010
    414
    Missouri
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    Greg
    #8 Highmiler, Jan 31, 2011
    I just did mine yesterday.

    The grease in the wiper gear box was hard, what there was of it. It was a major tussle getting the motor and gear box out. Pull the battery first and it will be a lot easier. If the drive arm on your gearbox actually comes off it will be a cinch to remove the unit. Note the lever's position. Mine refused to budge until I got it into a vice and could tap on the shaft.

    I wire brushed both ground studs. I think 90% of the problem was in the unlubricated ball pivots in the linkage. I cleaned each of the four, greased them and put them back together.
    The retainer clips like to fly away and do not like to go back in place without a fight.

    The wipers work fine now, even with the engine off.

    Greg
     
  9. 1974gt4

    1974gt4 Formula 3
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    Sep 19, 2009
    1,504
    in my garage...
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    Dr. Italiani
    #9 1974gt4, Jan 31, 2011
    Rain-X, one of the few 'gimick' products that work !

    Water beads up...the faster you go the better it works...

    My kind of product !

    (Disclaimer, I do not sell, nor have a commercial interest in this product, or any other interest...except on the outside of my windshieldS)
     

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