Windscreen Wiper Parking

[Morris Montego]

Since acquiring "Morris Montego" in April I've done much cosmetic tinkering. Now it's time for mechanical issues, though the car is fundamentally sound.
Number one - the wiper on the passenger side of the windscreen parks a couple of inches ABOVE the bonnet line. Any suggestions as to the cause, issue?
I can't fully lift the wiper arm with either the bonnet up or down which don't help in investigating things.

Dave

[Doctordiesel77]

If there is no excessive play in the mechanism and the driver's side one parks correctly then it probably just needs the arm adjusting on the splines, if you have a Haynes manual, or similar it has a section on adjusting them, if not I can scan the page in the workshop manual.

[Morris Montego]

Thank you kindly. I do have a Haynes manual and think I'll manage to adjust the arm on the splines with the various tools I have.

[Doctordiesel77]

No problem, the arms are easier to get off than a lot of modern cars, so not a bad job to d usually.

[Morris Montego]

The retaining nut came off very easily but lifting the arm off is proving impossible. Plenty of WD40 and some not too forceful prising from under the arm but no joy. Hoping a bit of time may help the WD40 to take greater effect.
......and, see my next post....

[Doctordiesel77]

The retaining nut came off very easily but lifting the arm off is proving impossible. Plenty of WD40 and some not too forceful prising from under the arm but no joy. Hoping a bit of time may help the WD40 to take greater effect.
......and, see my next post....

If you put the nut on a couple of threads then hinge the arm back so that it is perpindicular to the windscreen and wiggle it sideways it usually loosens obstinate splines. Once it is loose hinge it back down before taking the nut off.

[Morris Montego]

The problem is, the position the nearside wiper is parked in, I can't hinge the arm into a vertical position with either the bonnet up or down.
I don't think turning the ignition off mid sweep will help either..

Removing the bonnet would solve the problem, but this seems a bit drastic!!

[Doctordiesel77]

A slightly less drastic solution might be one of these cheapo pullers from ebay, they are aimed at VW owners, as their arms have a very shallow taper and can be pigs to remove, should do a Montego one quite easily. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/397727141922

[Morris Montego]

Thanks, just ordered one!

[Jeff Turbo]

To remove the wiper arm you just need to get a lever under it and wiggle it, up down, left and right normally even with being tight.. you could turn the ignition on, get the wiper arm to park upright by turning the ignition off so it stays there. Another trick is to turn the wipers on with the nut off and then it separates after a couple of wipes. But the good doctors link should also do the trick

[Morris Montego]

Thanks for the advice Jeff.

[Morris Montego]

Well, my nearside windscreen wiper is now parking correctly and I have new blades both sides
However, only yesterday, I discovered no wash wipe. Hmm, I know I've only been out in fine weather but surely since owning the car I've tried , tested the windscreen wash wipe and been happy with it?
Guess then its only just failed.
My testing - fuse ok. I unscrewed the plastic trim at the base of the windscreen and the washer nozzles are connected tightly to the tubes. The tubes join the reservoir. The nozzles themselves are not blocked. I assume the washer motor attached to the reservoir is at fault.

[Doctordiesel77]

could be dirty contacts in the press button switch, if the wiper operate when you press the button, then button is ok & pump may be seized, if wipers don't operate, then it is the button at fault. If you take the pump out of the bottle the end of the rotor sticks out of the bottom, it should turn easily. It is sometimes possible to free them by turning with a pair of long nosed pliers. The pump is the same as some sort of vw or audi iirc

[Morris Montego]

Thanks again Johnny, very helpful. The wipers do work when I press the button at the end of the column stalk., just no washer fluid spraying. So, I'll take a look at the motor like you advise.

[Morris Montego]

It's the weekend and time to work on the Montego!
I assume Johnny I do drain the windscreen wash reservoir before removing the pump?
Cleaned the connection to the pump already.

It's all a big learning curve for me, but I'm enjoying it, feel happy attempting things. Not since my very first car have I been under the bonnet so much! - It was a mark I Renault 5 (they were cheaper than Metros second hand and the 5 speed 'box was good for my long commute)