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Topic: Windshield Wiper blades or refills (Read 1401 times) previous topic - next topic

Windshield Wiper blades or refills

During a rain storm today the wipers in our 1999 U320 stopped for no apparent reason. Madly pushing the various buttons seemed to start it to run normally again. But the failures repeated.  It almost seemed like something had to cool down for the wipers to start working again. At the end shutting them down and using "Pulse" appeared to be the only reliable way to have them work.
 
Any ideas of what is going on?  Or a fix?
___

best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>
Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon)
See our blog at LazyDazers.com
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #1 –
As an emergency solution, I suggest a good application of Rain-X to the windshield.  We ultimately used it when we exited the Eisenhower tunnel on I-70.  On the eastern entrance it was a warm and sunny day.  When we exited the west end, we were in a blizzard with temps in the twenties and lots of blowing sleet and snow.  That's when we discovered that OUR WIPERS did NOT work, either. Rain-X saved the day as the weather didn't clear until the next day.  We then understood why the previous owner had left us a lifetime supply.
JON TWORK KB8RSA
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
Find Jon: Via Satellite Tracker Datastorm Users
The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #2 –
   I too have had intermittent wiper failure.  Mine would restart when I turned the ignition off then back on.  Fot replaced the under-dash computer.  All has been well since.
Laurel Hill, FL
 To do is to be---- Nietzsche
  To be is to do-----Kant
  Do be do be do----Sinatra

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #3 –
Sound to me that the contacts on the steering wheel slip ring assembly that transmit the pulses from the wheel to the controller could be the problem. Do other functions like the horn and cruise control work properly?

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #4 –
Cruise works fine. Haven't tried the horn.
___

best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>
Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon)
See our blog at LazyDazers.com
 
Quote
Sound to me that the contacts on the steering wheel slip ring assembly that transmit the pulses from the wheel to the controller could be the problem. Do other functions like the horn and cruise control work properly?
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #5 –
Well, if your other functions (lights, cruise, horn) work, then the contacts should be OK as there are only two wires to transmit the commands to the controller. I expect you have the SM206 controller which is what my '99 U320 has. There is a troubleshooting guide at http://www.vipwheels.com/WEB%20PAGES/techsupport.html.

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #6 –
Paul,
 
No I don't have any experience in that area and don't know what could be causing it.  Other than finding any plugs and disconnecting and re plugging then back in.
I will pass you message on to Barry Beam for his comment.
 
Barry

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Bob McGee –
I expect you have the SM206 controller which is what my '99 U320 has. There is a troubleshooting guide at http://www.vipwheels.com/WEB%20PAGES/techsupport.html.

Bob, I tried the link and it came up "not found" - is it still valid?
Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #8 –
I don't know why that link won't work.

Go to www.vipwheels.com and then click on techsupport. Scroll down to the BK series SM203 or SM206. That will allow you to download the PDF file.

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bob McGee –
Go to www.vipwheels.com and then click on techsupport. Scroll down to the BK series SM203 or SM206. That will allow you to download the PDF file. 

That works!  Thanks.
Bill Jackson & Kim Sweeney
2013 27' Lazy Daze RK
2002 U320 PBDS 36' Build 5941 (Sold)
1999 U320 40' (Sold)
2005 Country Coach Intrigue 40' (Sold)

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #10 –
Just a thought:

The company I drive part time for has 12 2003- 2009 MCI tour coaches and we have had the same problem with intermittent failure of the wipers. Turns out per MCI the wiper motors get weak requiring higher amps to start thus causing  the computer to misread the amp load and shut the wiper power down. This is especially true on a somewhat dry windshield.  The cure has been to replace the wiper motors. this has been happening  with both the Bosh and DOGA motors

As MCI is now recalling the DOGA wiper motors..

http://www.automotive-fleet.com/News/Story/2010/04/MCI-to-Recall-Coaches-Due-to-Windshield-Wiper-Motor.aspx?interstitial=1

Cheers

Ted

"97 40' U320 build 5035

The best things in life are not things.... It's fulltiming in a Foretravel.

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Bill Jackson –
Bob, I tried the link and it came up "not found" - is it still valid?
There is a trailing '.' after the html in the posted link thats why it was not working  ..... the link should be http://www.vipwheels.com/WEB%20PAGES/techsupport.html
2000 / 36' / U320 / WTFE
WildEBeest / "Striving to put right what once went wrong"

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #12 –
I noticed the windshield wiper blades on our coach are needing to be replaced. So I was researching what refill to buy.  I saw the information concerning the Transportation Accessories Co. replacement wiper blades. Then I saw another link concerning Trico products.

In case anyone else is searching for windshield wiper blades or refills, here is a link which lists Trico and Anco options for our 1997 coach. 

For different model years, you will have to go back to change the year in the drop down window.

http://www.tricoproducts.com/replacement/onlinecatalogs/online_catalog.aspx?opt=3

Morris and Janice
1997 U270 36'

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #13 –
I will never again put any kind of wiper blade on my coach that is not made for a truck.  I am speaking from experience.
 
I first bought a set of those loose floppy blades that are supposed to make superior contact with  the windshield. I want to say Rainco was the brand.  But I am not sure.  Not worth a darn in the rain.
 
Then I went so something else from NAPA and those blades began to leave the holder as we were motoring down the Interstate in the rain. Trust me, it is not a secure feeling to see your wiper inserts extending eight inches above the edge of the holder.
 
Then I went to an O'Riley's or other some chain and had them install what they said were better blades.  Same thing happened during the next time we drove in the rain.

I thought:  this is nuts.  There has to be a better way.
 
So I did some research and found an on-line supplier of blades for trucks and ordered the entire assembly from them.  Just to be sure I am clear, these blades came with the frames.  I just had to bolt them to the wiper arms on the coach.
 
No problems.  Not one single issue.  They work perfectly.  I will re-order from them: Transportation Accessories 800-848-0756
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.
 

Re: Windshield Wiper blades or refills

Reply #14 –
George I get the same thing in a Trico at Wally world for about $7.00    Take a look....

Mike