'97 850 AWD wagon; Headlight wiper motor problem.

Hi,

When the ignition key is turned to the 1st position a noise starts up, like
an electric motor running with bad bearings. The noise seems to be coming
from under the hood, at the front, left-hand side headlight area.

I checked all fuses controlling motors. When I pulled #11/34 ("windshield
and headlight wiper/washer) the noise stopped. I replaced the fuse.

When I operated the front wiper control, the windshield and the right-hand
headlight wipers worked. The left-hand headlight wiper did not.

It seems pretty clear that the left-hand headlight wiper motor has a
problem.
*My* problem is: What could be causing that motor to run (and no other) when
the operating switch is off?

Andy I. ('58 445 "wagon"; '65 122S wagon; '67 121 2-dr Direct Import; '74
145 wagon; '74 142; '86 240 wagon; '93 240 Classic wagon; '97 850 AWD wagon,
light turbo, stick-shift.)

 

Andy

Is this circuit controlled by a relay? If so, could this be the problem?

ttfn.....Alistair

 

my understanding is that the motor will keep firing until it reachs a
rest position -- think about a windscreen wiper that stops in the
middle of the windscreen. if you have time & like playing w/ little
motors, this can probably be fixed. otherwise do as i would get a new
one. the rest contact will close & all will be well.

 

Thank you Alastair.
I've checked the relays listed in my "Haynes" manual. There doesn't seem to
be one for the headlight wiper motor.

Andy I.


: Andy
:
: Is this circuit controlled by a relay? If so, could this be the problem?
:
: ttfn.....Alistair
:
: : >
: > Hi,
: >
: > When the ignition key is turned to the 1st position a noise starts up,
: > like
: > an electric motor running with bad bearings. The noise seems to be
coming
: > from under the hood, at the front, left-hand side headlight area.
: >
: > I checked all fuses controlling motors. When I pulled #11/34
("windshield
: > and headlight wiper/washer) the noise stopped. I replaced the fuse.
: >
: > When I operated the front wiper control, the windshield and the
right-hand
: > headlight wipers worked. The left-hand headlight wiper did not.
: >
: > It seems pretty clear that the left-hand headlight wiper motor has a
: > problem.
: > *My* problem is: What could be causing that motor to run (and no other)
: > when
: > the operating switch is off?
: >
: > Andy I. ('58 445 "wagon"; '65 122S wagon; '67 121 2-dr Direct Import;
'74
: > 145 wagon; '74 142; '86 240 wagon; '93 240 Classic wagon; '97 850 AWD
: > wagon,
: > light turbo, stick-shift.)
: >
: >
: >
:
:

 

: On Thu, 1 Jul 2010 23:35:06 -0700, "Andy"
:
: >
: >Hi,
: >
: >When the ignition key is turned to the 1st position a noise starts up,
like
: >an electric motor running with bad bearings. The noise seems to be
coming
: >from under the hood, at the front, left-hand side headlight area.
: >
: >I checked all fuses controlling motors. When I pulled #11/34
("windshield
: >and headlight wiper/washer) the noise stopped. I replaced the fuse.
: >
: >When I operated the front wiper control, the windshield and the
right-hand
: >headlight wipers worked. The left-hand headlight wiper did not.
: >
: >It seems pretty clear that the left-hand headlight wiper motor has a
: >problem.
: >*My* problem is: What could be causing that motor to run (and no other)
when
: >the operating switch is off?
: >
: >Andy I. ('58 445 "wagon"; '65 122S wagon; '67 121 2-dr Direct Import;
'74
: >145 wagon; '74 142; '86 240 wagon; '93 240 Classic wagon; '97 850 AWD
wagon,
: >light turbo, stick-shift.)
: >
: >
:
: my understanding is that the motor will keep firing until it reachs a
: rest position -- think about a windscreen wiper that stops in the
: middle of the windscreen. if you have time & like playing w/ little
: motors, this can probably be fixed. otherwise do as i would get a new
: one. the rest contact will close & all will be well.

Thank you Richard. You've got it! Right on! and so did my son, in about
five seconds....... (Kids!........)
With the ignition switch on (first position) and the noise emanating, he
looked at the headlight wipers and noticed that the left-hand wiper arm was
not properly "at rest". He moved the arm to the "rest" position. The noise
stopped. "Mission Accomplished"!! Well.......... maybe not, but at least
that little puzzle solved. Thank you again.

In the meantime I've disconnected the offending motor. while I think about
replacing it.

Andy I.