Author Topic: 280SL Wipers Not Working  (Read 2625 times)

rbouch8828

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280SL Wipers Not Working
« on: May 14, 2020, 19:55:21 »
I can hear the relay clicking in when I slide the stalk in, but the wipers do not budge. I do not see any blown fuses and the washer fluid sprays and the turn signals work.

Prior to this I have had all of the dash instruments out for repainting of the dash and now they are going back in. I don't know if that could have caused a problem.

Not sure where to look?
RB

66andBlue

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2020, 20:25:11 »
Have you tested whether the plug on the motor gets power when you push the stalk?
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

rbouch8828

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2020, 20:28:11 »
Hi Alfred,

Where do I find the plug for the motors?

Thank you,
Roland
RB

66andBlue

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2020, 20:33:26 »
Engine bay, firewall, passenger side, you'll see the motor housing. The receptacle is next to it.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

rbouch8828

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2020, 21:18:11 »
Got it! Thanks, I’ll check it out.
RB

mrfatboy

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2020, 22:21:51 »
Even though the relay "clicks" it still should be removed and the contacts cleaned with fine sandpaper or nail file to make sure. Same thing happened to me.
1969 280sl (Aug 1968 build)
Signal Red
4 Speed

rbouch8828

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2020, 23:10:31 »
I traced power to the motor connector and it is getting 12 volts there. The motor is hot as hell, so I suspect the motor has fried itself. With power to the motor the spindle isn’t turning.


I have pulled the motor out and I’ll send it to BudsBenz for s rebuild.
RB

Vintelectra

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #7 on: January 06, 2023, 00:45:35 »
Dear fans,I have the same problem,but the motor does not heat up .I opened the back of the motor and checked the carbon brushes and they are good.Motor overall looks good.cleaned with electric cleaner and put it back together and still nothing.Power gets to the terminal when activated,relay cleaned. How do I check for motor continuity at the terminal, ? Thank you in advance ,Martin 64 230 sl

dirkbalter

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #8 on: January 06, 2023, 18:11:13 »
My rotor and stator were rusted together. I needed to apply quite a bit of force just to break it free. That’s likely due to not being used for years. After a lot of cleaning and polishing it came back to life.
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
05 HD FLSTNI

johnk

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2023, 03:31:23 »



I have pulled the motor out and I’ll send it to BudsBenz for s rebuild.

I would highly suggest you send the motor to Classic Wiper. They did mine for half the cost of an exchange with Buds and turned it around in a couple day.
[/quote]
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
2019 BMW 540

Benz Dr.

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2023, 04:11:35 »
I had this happen once and found that the system didn't have any ground. If you have power going to the motor, and you've looked at everything else, you haven't looked far enough.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

ja17

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #11 on: January 21, 2023, 06:59:03 »
Possibly the windshield wiper shafts have seized and are stalling the motor and causing the motor to heat up. Test by temporarily disconnecting the linkage and see if the motor runs. Caution be careful working on the linkage. Have ignition OFF when working with the linkages!
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

Benz Dr.

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Re: 280SL Wipers Not Working
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2023, 19:36:25 »
Possibly the windshield wiper shafts have seized and are stalling the motor and causing the motor to heat up. Test by temporarily disconnecting the linkage and see if the motor runs. Caution be careful working on the linkage. Have ignition OFF when working with the linkages!

I'd go one step further and disconnect the battery. Wipe motors are very powerful and could easily cut your finger off if you had one in the wrong place.  :o
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC