Bonnet alignment and how to test headlight wiper motors

[brens-s80]

HI all,

I have 2 problems at present and looking for your help:

(1) the drivers headlight wiper motor doesn't work. I have tried different motors but its still the same. What voltage should I be reading at the connection plug ?.

(2) an item of little more concern is that my bonnet seems to be drifting out of alignment ( see pics attached). From the passenger side you can nearly see right into the engine and particularly the coil and Battery. Its just as bad from the drivers seat. I have tried adjusting the screw on the bonnet lock without any success.

The drivers side is fine !!!!

What needs to be done in order to get it level again.

thanks in advance

brendan

[Mike_Brace]

Ther are two ways the bonnet adtusts on the hinges. Where the bonnet bolts onto the hinges will enable the bonnet to be twisted. The problem you have is the rear of the bonnet is to high - this is adjusted by moving the position of the hinges where they attach to the bodywork. the hinge will need moving towards the bulhead a little. The spring you have tried adjusting affects the front height - you should return it to its original position. Remove grille before adjusting the bonnet in case it jams on the catch - it can be freed from underneath.
You should have 12v when the wiper is switched on.

Mike

[molening]

I had a hinge seize which cauzed the hinge to twist as you open the bonnet resulting in the bonnet raising at the hinge end.
A bit of oil soon got it moving but I suspect sorting the hinge out will be a bonnet off job.

[minesa240x3]

hi brens-s80 i think you may have the age old problem of the siezed hinge!
I'm on my third 240 and each one has had the same problem,for some reason the nearside hinge siezes and then begins to bend the metal instead of pivoting.never actually worked out why mainly that side and not so much the other.
one actually broke right off,i took the hinge off and hammered it straight and then welded it back in its original shape,failing that a visit to the local scrapyard may be the answer.
when unbolting the hinge try and have somebody to help support the bonnet,I raised the bonnet and used a length of timber to make sure it stayed open then i put a thick blanket between the bonnet and body work to stop any damage, once unbolted it should rest nicely while you repair or exchange the hinge,best of luck.
i now oil them regulare,in fact i get carried away with the old spray oil,door hinges bonnet cable etc etc.

I would imagine it needs to be 12V at the plug, not sure of the ohms. Try the fuse box to see if the fuse has blown. Does the other motor work ?

If so try a multi meter for continuety to see if theres a split in the wire. I will find my old 240 Manual to give you a wire diagram to make checking easier.

Charlotte

[Clifford Pope]

Bent hinges are a pain - they take an enormous amount of strain just supporting the bonnet on the spring, and the slighest extra, from seized up pivots, bends the whole bracket.Once that has happened no amount of adjusting can correct it. The easiest solution is just a new spring - do one side at a time and support the bonnet with props etc.
Be careful if tempted to dismantle the hinge. The spring is imensely strong, and once removed is not easy to re-hook. In my expereience trying then to bend the hinge straight is not very satisfactory. It has now been weakened, and the movement required is only a fraction of an inch.

You need to check the voltage at the right terminals. There are two live terminals, one to return the wiper to park, and earth. Check the earthing screw for corrosion.

[Glen Morangie]

The headlamp wiper motors also have a thermal cutout to prevent burnout when the wipers are frozen to the glass.

[brens-s80]

Hi ,

It looks like minesa240x3 hit the problem on the head. The nearside pivot had siezed which resulted in the support bar being bent inwards each time the bonnet was closed. This is puzzelling as I had very generously used WD40 and then grease on every single hinge I could find in the car when I got it.

Thanks Mike for the tip on resetting the screw in the bonnet catch mechanism.With a little adjustment of the hinges I now have a very passable alignment.

I have been unable to test the headlight motors but I will rig up a bulb and suitable plug to test the wiring. Is each side fed from a different source or if I find the wiring broken can I splice from thegood passenger side ?.


once again thanks to all who replied.

brendan

[Mike_Brace]

Wiring loops from one to the other from what I remeber from those I've broken.

Mike

[brens-s80]

hi all,

just to let you know that I've now got my replacement headlight wiper working by jumpering it onto the working ones power supply ;-) happy days.

regards and thanks

brendan