603 S2 Windscreen wiper difficult to turn to operate...

[browning l]

Any suggestions?

[Kevin H]

Not sure whether you mean the switch is hard to turn or the windscreen wipers are struggling when turned on.

If the former, probably easiest to just buy a new switch. If the latter I would suggest disconnecting the windscreen motor from the car and connecting the terminals on the motor directly to a charged car battery with an appropriate fuse in-line and see how the motor operates. This will tell you if the problem is with the motor or the wiring on your car.

Poor wiring on the car is reasonably easy to fix, albeit probably time consuming. If it's the motor, I'm not familiar with it so would not be able to offer further suggestions. Although I'm sure it would be repairable.

PS. I have just uploaded a 603 owners manual in the Resources section, although it won't help with this problem.

[browning l]

Originally Posted by Kevin Howard

Not sure whether you mean the switch is hard to turn or the windscreen wipers are struggling when turned on.

If the former, probably easiest to just buy a new switch.

The former. The operating switch turns only with major effort, which is quite distracting while driving. I'm under the impression that this is typical for this switch. If that's true, and I'm awaiting a factory response, what I'm looking for is some fix to reduce the effort required to turn the switch.

[davidd]

Mine's pretty hard to turn, too. It doesn't help that the switch is not that comfortable to grip, so much so that I sometimes wonder about changing it for a bar-type one, but haven't yet got around to it.

[browning l]

Originally Posted by davidd

Mine's pretty hard to turn, too. It doesn't help that the switch is not that comfortable to grip, so much so that I sometimes wonder about changing it for a bar-type one, but haven't yet got around to it.

Definitely uncomfortable, unless one is wearing driving gloves, which I seldom do. Can you elaborate on "a bar-type one," Davidd? I've wondered about attempting to create a larger diameter control knob that would slip on over the existing knob, providing more leverage, but wouldn't know where to find, or how to create, one. I suspose if one was capable of creating molded plastic items it would be possible.

Could always clamp a small pair of vise-grip pliers on the knob, eh? Of course, finding a small pair that would open that wide and still grip may not be easy.

[davidd]

Since the horrible little knob is secured with a grub screw, perhaps something like this would work?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1812

Preferably one with greater aesthetic and tactile appeal, though! An old bakelite one would be more in keeping!

There would also need to be sufficient clearance underneath to allow the washer switch to work...

David

[browning l]

Originally Posted by davidd

Since the horrible little knob is secured with a grub screw, perhaps something like this would work?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1812

Preferably one with greater aesthetic and tactile appeal, though! An old bakelite one would be more in keeping!

There would also need to be sufficient clearance underneath to allow the washer switch to work...

David

Sorry, the little box with the red X doesn't open, and, tried on another site, but it wouldn't work there either, but thank you, anyway.

[David Olivant]

On Ebay usa there is a rotary switch with washer item No 200306264441.
Don't know if it will help?
David

[Kevin H]

The attached photo is the knob that davidd was trying to show.

NB: you can't include images in the body of the post, which is why the red cross appeared earlier. Images must be submitted as attachments to the post.

[browning l]

Originally Posted by David Olivant

On Ebay usa there is a rotary switch with washer item No 200306264441.
Don't know if it will help?
David

Neither do I. No way of knowing if it is compatible. I can get another switch from Bristol, that's not the problem. It's the resistance in turning the knob that is the problem; from what Toby Silverton alluded, it may be characteristic of this item. I'm supposed to be getting suggestions from Syd and/or Jeff Marsh at Filton.

[Rubbond]

If it's a knob attached by a grub screw it seems to me it will be whatever
it's trying to turn that is stiff and needs fixing.
I can't imagine an electrical switch could become stiff.
Maybe it's a remote knob working through a Bowden cable which needs greasing
or replacing? A dried out Bowden (especially if there is a kink in it) can
become very stiff, even with a push-pull movement.
Rgds,
Andy.

[RGSchmitt]

Hi all -

I don't know anything about this specific switch, but doubt it was
overly stiff when new. Is there any access to the shaft behind the
plastic portion? I'd try shooting tuner cleaner/contact cleaner down
the shaft and rotating back & forth as much as feasible. WD-40 may
also work, but I've had better luck with other types of contact
cleaners. Best yet is "Rail-Zip", which hobbyists use to clean the
tracks on their layouts. Inexpensive and never seems to not improve
electrical contacts.

Bob

[davidd]

I have just tried mine again. The switch turns fairly easily but the knob is so uncomfortable! Even after 28 years the edges of the 'serrations' in the knob seem sharp and my thumb is quite red from operating the switch a number of times. What's more, the knob is held onto the shaft by a rivet, not a grub screw! Clearly we are meant to suffer, wear gloves, don't go out in the rain or a combination thereof!

David

[browning l]

"Clearly we are meant to suffer"...davidd

"How long, O Lord, how long?"