Wipers need Kickstart

John Z

Well-known member
So apparently my wipers need a kickstart to work. If I go straight to low they won't turn in. But if I go to high they go on then I can go back to low.

Based on this I feel like it can't be the switch or motor. Maybe the relay?
 

4RF RDS

Well-known member
Motor! Sadly, its likely the motor getting tired. Check condition of wires to the motor, if corroded it will affect voltage a lot.
good luck
 

1of40

Well-known member
Mine have been this way for years. I live with it and I don't use intermittent anymore either so I can squeeze the rest of the bloody life out of them.
 

John Z

Well-known member
The thing I notice about mine is the greater the rain, the longer the sweep.
I noticed sweep varies alot. I just chalked that up to a worn gear/cable. When I drive on the highway I just see them drop down to the seal. And when. I have them on a long time the same thing, the sweep goes from the seal and that middle area that never gets cleared starts to get cleared
 

LRNAD90

Well-known member
I noticed sweep varies alot. I just chalked that up to a worn gear/cable. When I drive on the highway I just see them drop down to the seal. And when. I have them on a long time the same thing, the sweep goes from the seal and that middle area that never gets cleared starts to get cleared

I have this issue as well, the longer they run, the more the sweep changes. I think I have run the wipers maybe two dozen times in the 20+ years I've owned he truck, so would hope the drive mechanism is not worn. Oddly they start out wiping fine, but after a few minutes, the sweep stats going haywire. Is there an adjustment or something for this I wonder? Maddening..
 

Nick&Nora

Well-known member
I have this issue as well, the longer they run, the more the sweep changes.
Mine do this. They start out fine, and if they run for more than a few minutes, the driver's side begins to sweep onto the A pillar. I use Rain-X and run them intermittently (manually, which is probably not super for the switch). Rain-X is really what makes the difference.
 

chuckc4

Well-known member
Mine do this. They start out fine, and if they run for more than a few minutes, the driver's side begins to sweep onto the A pillar. I use Rain-X and run them intermittently (manually, which is probably not super for the switch). Rain-X is really what makes the difference.
2nd for Rain-X -- have had it on every Land Rover windshield I have ever owned
 

1of40

Well-known member
I've taken the dash apart to get to the cog assembly. The factory grease was almost hardened wax so I pulled them and re-greased them with white lithium grease. It really didn't make much of a difference in normal temps but it did make a difference in sub-zero temps when i needed wipers for heavy snow.
 

LRNAD90

Well-known member
Not clear if these parts can be fitted to the 'NAS Bulkhead' or not, but came across this interesting blurb from one of ECR's build pages...

"A nice benefit that comes along with the new bulkhead is the updated wiper drives and arms. If you have been around NAS Defenders for any length of time you will know that the splined drums that drive the wiper can get sloppy and seize onto the truck. This creates a "slap" or over-reach from your wipers and in some cases can lead to a wiper that doesn't work at all. Rover realized this wasn't a very good design and changed it on the newer models. The image above shows the new wiper drives installed in this 1995 NAS Defender 90. These are more like any other car and will not seize, slap or rust in place. They work well and the days of vague wipers are no more for this Defender and they are much easier to service if something does go wrong."
 

MountainD

Technical Excellence Contributor
Not clear if these parts can be fitted to the 'NAS Bulkhead' or not, but came across this interesting blurb from one of ECR's build pages...

"A nice benefit that comes along with the new bulkhead is the updated wiper drives and arms. If you have been around NAS Defenders for any length of time you will know that the splined drums that drive the wiper can get sloppy and seize onto the truck. This creates a "slap" or over-reach from your wipers and in some cases can lead to a wiper that doesn't work at all. Rover realized this wasn't a very good design and changed it on the newer models. The image above shows the new wiper drives installed in this 1995 NAS Defender 90. These are more like any other car and will not seize, slap or rust in place. They work well and the days of vague wipers are no more for this Defender and they are much easier to service if something does go wrong."
I’m trying to find out more but haven’t been able to locate anything new. Anyone have any clue on “new” design?
 

GunPilot

Active member
These wiper wheel boxes are great. Pricey, but much better made than the original. I replaced my old sloppy wheel boxes with these, a new cable, and fresh grease in the boxes and the motor. My wipers now run much quieter and track properly. They have pre-and post-2002 versions:
 

LRNAD90

Well-known member
GunPilot, thanks for the link. Anyone know how these compare with the updated LR parts Mike from ECR referenced? And this is probably a dumb question, but I assume pretty much the whole dash has to come out to replace these and the drive cable..
 

jymmiejamz

Founding Member
Callsign: KN4JHI
GunPilot, thanks for the link. Anyone know how these compare with the updated LR parts Mike from ECR referenced? And this is probably a dumb question, but I assume pretty much the whole dash has to come out to replace these and the drive cable..
I think if you just pull the upper dash pad you can get to them.
 

4RF RDS

Well-known member
As above you can do them with the dash in place just the top dash pad removed. Did mine a couple years ago. It is a bit fiddley but easily doable.
good luck
 

Mattarm

Well-known member
Which kit and what were the results? In short was it worth the $ and effort?
As above you can do them with the dash in place just the top dash pad removed. Did mine a couple years ago. It is a bit fiddley but easily doable.
good luck
 

4RF RDS

Well-known member
Two new genuine wheel boxes, can’t remember where I got them, maybe fleabay? Took about an hour and a half. Exceedingly better sweep on the wipers. I should have replaced the rack as well because my drivers side is getting a wider reach now. I have one on my parts shelf and will get at that over the winter at some point. They work great still.

Good luck and Merry Christmas
 
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