Did a little makeover on some headlamps on an M535i I'm currently working and got the headlamp wiper motors working this weekend. Link to a slide-show:
http://www.bmwclassics.co.uk/gallery/in ... mFilters=s
I've done several of these motor fixes now and it isn't that difficult (can't be if I can do it!) so some of the above pics may help people see what's involved?
I placed the tie-pulls around each motor housing to stop the back coming off when you come to put the wiper arms back on. They have a tendancy to come off too easily thus allowing the lever inside to pop out of the offset lug on the plastic wheel inside meaning you have to fiddle to get it back in again.
headlamps cleaned up and wiper motors fixed!
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Blue Shadow
- Posts: 10281
- Joined: Feb 12, 2006 12:00 PM
- Location: SE PA
Yeah...sorry.
On this occasion on both the motors the plastic plate at the back had moved outwards slightly. This had allowed the lever and the wheel to part company. Seems the design allows for this to happen all too readily.
All I needed to do in this case was clean the old grease out, re-grease and put the 'pin' on the levers back in their lugs.
I bench tested with a 12V battery and both ran immediately.
Previously, I've glued the back plate back on but this time thought I'd see how it works with two tight tie-pulls.
This is the third time I've attempted to get previously non-functioning headlamp wipers working and on each occasions it's been quite simple to fix.
I think they can get gunked up pretty easily especially if the small rubber seal on the outside of the stem isn't present or isn't doing its job. Each time I've taken the things out and really cleaned and greased the stems.
Maybe I've been lucky thus far but it's never been a problem with the motors themselves.
On this occasion on both the motors the plastic plate at the back had moved outwards slightly. This had allowed the lever and the wheel to part company. Seems the design allows for this to happen all too readily.
All I needed to do in this case was clean the old grease out, re-grease and put the 'pin' on the levers back in their lugs.
I bench tested with a 12V battery and both ran immediately.
Previously, I've glued the back plate back on but this time thought I'd see how it works with two tight tie-pulls.
This is the third time I've attempted to get previously non-functioning headlamp wipers working and on each occasions it's been quite simple to fix.
I think they can get gunked up pretty easily especially if the small rubber seal on the outside of the stem isn't present or isn't doing its job. Each time I've taken the things out and really cleaned and greased the stems.
Maybe I've been lucky thus far but it's never been a problem with the motors themselves.
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M. Holtmeier
- Posts: 3025
- Joined: Mar 11, 2007 3:06 AM
- Location: Dallas, Texas
In my (limited) experience getting the motors themselves to work has not been difficult...maybe I've just been lucky.coopa.s wrote:I'm trying to decide whether or not to attempt this on my project M535i.. They don't work at all- but the washer motor for the headlamps comes on whenever the ignition is on- is that supposed to happen?
IIRC The system should only work with the ignition on, headlamps on and then only on (something like) every third pull of the windshield washer stalk.