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Edpike



Member Since: 04 Jul 2020
Location: NI
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
Winter Windscreen Wiper Woes
Hello everyone - I have just returned from a lengthy journey 1,000 miles in my 2007 Puma 110 CSW (1006k miles).

Before going on this trip I replaced my windscreen wiper park switch as the wipers did not park properly. The switch I replaced it with was a Lucas one as I wanted to make sure the repair lasted.

On my way back up the M6 the wipers stated doing their own thing and not behaving the way they should i.e. intermittent setting would go for 4 or 5 sweeps and then stop, then go for 2 sweeps and stop, then go for 3 or 4 sweeps and stop or just keep on going even when the windscreen wiper stalk was in the park/stop position. I found that if I sometimes tapped the windscreen washer function it would stop the wipers, but even this now fails to stop wipers.

I discovered (in a dark, cold, wet and windy M6 services) that if I lifted the wipers away from the windscreen (as you would to wash the windscreen) the wipers behaved exactly as they should.

I am after some advice as to what is causing this issue, as it is distracting me from all the other issues I need to address with my beloved Defender - leaking power steering, heater that produces the same amount of heat as a candle, heated seats that do not work., heated windscreen that does not work etc...

What do you think? Is it:

1. A faulty park switch - again!

2. The windscreen wiper system needs a good grease and service

3. The wiper motor is on its way out

4. None of the above

The one thing that I am dreading is taking the dash apart to get to the constituent parks, but if I do is there anything else I should look at replace while I am there? I have also ordered a replacement Lucas steering wheel stalk just in case that is the issue, but I don't think it will be.

Thanks in advance for any advice and at least we are not going into the wet winter months... Sad [/list]
Post #871560 6th Dec 2020 1:08pm
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Bluericky



Member Since: 26 Jun 2014
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 647

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Keswick Green
Or 5. Your windscreen wipers spindles are beginning to seize up .
They did on mine and worked intermittently then one day not at all.
They’re a complete pain to replace .

Alternatively it could be your wiper motor having a worn out worm or main cog https://www.instagram.com/hustynminepark/
Post #871561 6th Dec 2020 1:21pm
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shropshiredefender



Member Since: 05 Jun 2017
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 834

England 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Santorini Black
Re: Winter Windscreen Wiper Woes
Edpike wrote:


The one thing that I am dreading is taking the dash apart to get to the constituent parks, but if I do is there anything else I should look at replace while I am there? I have also ordered a replacement Lucas steering wheel stalk just in case that is the issue, but I don't think it will be.

Thanks in advance for any advice and at least we are not going into the wet winter months... Sad [/list]


Had the same problem a couple of years ago - had the entire mechanical wiper system replaced - motor, cable, boxes etc. on the basis that if the immediate problem, in my case seizing spindles, only was solved, it was only a matter of time before the rest needed replacement. The genuine parts were relatively cheap and the labour only had to be done once. Thumbs Up Just because you're offended doesn't mean you're right.
Post #871565 6th Dec 2020 1:43pm
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17312

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
It does sound very much as though the park switch is sticking, from what you describe. If so, you can remove the motor without dismantling the dash completely, you need to free off the passenger side dash fixings and pull it away from the bulkhead enough to reach in a free the motor. A long time ago I described how to do this in a thread somewhere on this forum.

Changing the spindles/wheelboxes does require rather more dismantling since the whole dash needs pulling a little bit away from the bulkhead.
Post #871567 6th Dec 2020 1:57pm
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G4UJS



Member Since: 20 Jan 2019
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 226

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Zermatt Silver
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic2031.html

This Blackwolf excellent description as to how to do the park switch

worked for me

Rob
Post #871568 6th Dec 2020 2:01pm
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Edpike



Member Since: 04 Jul 2020
Location: NI
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
Thanks guys for the advice.

I used the last post to replace the parking switch and it worked really well. That said it was accompanied with a lot of swearing with my ham fisted efforts in the tight spaces.

I am now erring on replacing the whole lot, less motor, i noticed my spindles have seen better days.
Post #871573 6th Dec 2020 2:13pm
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Bluericky



Member Since: 26 Jun 2014
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 647

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Keswick Green
It’s worth withdrawing the motor and cable to check the spindles before dismantling the majority of the dash. Once the cable is free there should be next to know resistance on the spindles.
You’ll have to remove the windscreen wipers in their entirety as well . That in itself can be a complete pain if they’re seized on.

The spindle on the passenger side is relatively easy to replace compared to the drivers side.
When replacing my radio and removing the fascia it occurred to me that it may be possible to access the trickier spindle through there, mind you by the time you’ve finished faffing you may as well go the whole hog .

A squirt or two of lubricant on the spindles may also work in the short term and will confirm suspicions .

It’s interesting that this topic comes up annually as soon as the temperature drops !! https://www.instagram.com/hustynminepark/
Post #871577 6th Dec 2020 2:29pm
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Edpike



Member Since: 04 Jul 2020
Location: NI
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
Great advice and I will try and lube up the spindles a bit to see if that works.

Can you get to the drivers spindle via the radio? I have a double DIN and that might make things easier rather than taking the whole dash out.
Post #871588 6th Dec 2020 4:17pm
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Bluericky



Member Since: 26 Jun 2014
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 647

United Kingdom 2009 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Keswick Green
I have a double din as well. Leave it in place but undo the two large torx screws below and just above the heating controls.
Remove the whole unit as one .

I seem to remember there being a heating duct in the way so that needs to be Unclipped and pulled out in order to view the spindle .

As I said though, it may well be less time consuming to remove the dash forward .

If you have slim hands and a few wedges of wood it is possible to do it without removing the instrument cluster and steering wheel ! But remember to remove ALL of the scews securing the dash and fascia in place !!! https://www.instagram.com/hustynminepark/
Post #871592 6th Dec 2020 4:37pm
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Edpike



Member Since: 04 Jul 2020
Location: NI
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
Thumbs Up
Post #871632 6th Dec 2020 5:53pm
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Edpike



Member Since: 04 Jul 2020
Location: NI
Posts: 35

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 CSW Tonga Green
I thought I would give you all an update on the Windscreen wiper issue I was having.

In sum, I had to take the whole dash out and ventilation ducting - a bit of a phaff, but not rocket science. I replaced both wiper spindles, wiper drive, park switch (Lucas), wiper steering wheel stalk (Lucas), washer jet (with an Ultimate Fan Spray - really effective) and greased everything up. BTW if you are going to the level of taking the dash out I recommend that you replace the washer jet at the same time as they are prone to ageing and you will have to take the guts of the dash out to get to it as it is a right old fiddly job.

Once I tested everything I found that the washer and intermittent settings would not park correctly. At this stage in the day I was ready to start reaching for the sledge hammer for some fine adjustment. I decided to return the next day and start fault finding. That night I found this video by Britannica Restorations:

&t=735s

The video solved my problem - I was trying to fit an OEM Lucas parking switch to an aftermarket wiper motor. The upshot was that both fit, but not exactly (in the video you will see Mike demonstrate the different tolerances). After a touch with the file on the switch around the depression switch all worked exactly as it should. I have added a zip tie around the bottom of the switch and the motor body for good measure.

All I can say is thank God for YouTube, these forums and the likes of Mike who post content there.

Lastly, thanks for all of your advice too which pointed me in the right direction.
Post #874485 24th Dec 2020 8:43am
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Two90s



Member Since: 24 Dec 2020
Location: Southern UK
Posts: 40

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Keswick Green
The wipers on my 2.2 Tdci won't stop, I have replaced the switch to no avail, so I'm going in for the park switch next. Thanks to this excellent site. I will keep you posted. Puma 90 XS Station Wagon in Keswick Green 2012 2.2 Tdci
Post #874601 24th Dec 2020 10:35pm
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Two90s



Member Since: 24 Dec 2020
Location: Southern UK
Posts: 40

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Keswick Green
I thought I would post the resolution to this in the Tdci section. I hope this is of use to someone.

The wipers wouldn't stop on our 2012 Tdci Defender. This got worse, so I replaced the wiper switch, this did not work so £75 quid wasted. I removed, cleaned and replaced the park switch, but this did not make any difference.

I decided to go ahead and replace the wiper motor, £208 including VAT from LR main dealership. This had better work, I thought.

I removed all the dash screws and took the instrument binnacle off, plus the steering wheel and plastic cover. This allows the dash to come out sufficiently to remove the wiper motor comfortably. There is an air duct that also needs to be removed.

Time taken approx three hours because it was freezing cold and I have not done this before.

You need a torx 20 and 30 bit, plus plenty of patience as there are dozens of screws.

You need to remove the wipers, because when you replace the cable in the rack, they will spin round and end up in the wrong position. They can be attached once the motors is secured in place.

This did fix my problem, the wipers now start and stop perfectly, and even work on intermittent which they didn't before.

I took the old motor and gearbox apart today, and found the plastic piece on the gear wheel that operates the park switch was worn. The truck has only done 60,000 miles so I think this is a poor design. I hope the new part lasts longer.

Cheers Puma 90 XS Station Wagon in Keswick Green 2012 2.2 Tdci
Post #875849 2nd Jan 2021 12:20pm
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