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Topic: Access the windshield wiper motor? (Read 721 times) previous topic - next topic

Access the windshield wiper motor?

Windshield wipers came to an inglorious stop this evening in torrential rain on our way to Nag.  We have another full days drive which will be ok if the weather improves, but if not ,,,,,, we will be in trouble!
I know that the decorative top of the dash with the vinyl is attached with Velcro to the plywood underneath.  how do I remove this heavy plywood to get to the windshield wiper motor?
The motor sounds like it still operates but possibly a linkage has come loose, going to bed early, start early tomorrow, any suggestions appreciated
Thanks
David.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #1
Can't help with the original problem .. but get some rainX and put several coats on the windshield. Will help shed the water when driving if you don't get a fix and have to drive in the rain.. it might help

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #2
And if you do use Rain-X make sure you also use Rain-X windshield washer fluid. Just read somewhere that other windshield washer fluids just wash away Rain-X.
Me? I use Turtle Wax ICE synthetic car wax. Works so well that most of the time I don't even use the wipers on our '89. Seems they are not too efficient anymore. (and only 30 years old!)
'Course the DW orders me to turn them on anyway.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #3
To remove the dash cover, first unscrew and remove the instrument panel cover, doghouse cover, the molding at the front edge in front of the passenger seat that contains the handhold and the windshield pillar covers.  Then gradually pull the dash cover up separating the Velcro.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #4
David,

Keith Risch of MOT replaced my wiper motor (1995 U320) by removing the kick panel in front of passanger seat, opening the lift up cover in the center front of the dash and reaching in with his hands and tools.  Took about 45 minutes total, he had the old motor out in less than 15 minutes.

Keith is exceptional at sorting things out and finding fast, less invasive ways to get the job done.  The day he did my motor, he replaced a fitting on an Onan generator by drilling a hole in a shroud that shielded view of the fitting.  Another shop said the generator would have to be removed from the coach.  Took less than an hour.

Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #5
David,

Keith Risch of MOT replaced my wiper motor (1995 U320) by removing the kick panel in front of passanger seat, opening the lift up cover in the center front of the dash and reaching in with his hands and tools.  Took about 45 minutes total, he had the old motor out in less than 15 minutes.

Keith is exceptional at sorting things out and finding fast, less invasive ways to get the job done.  The day he did my motor, he replaced a fitting on an Onan generator by drilling a hole in a shroud that shielded view of the fitting.  Another shop said the generator would have to be removed from the coach.  Took less than an hour.

Yes was factory trained to do it this way. But we did have to cut out the plywood under the vinyl cover to access it. Yours may have already been done, as there were some recalls. The plywood is stapled together in the middle. Scares the heck out of you when you bend it up, but it goes right back down fine. (use lock tight BTW)

Funny, FT flew me to the factory from Washington. Had to be there at 7 am to learn this. It was 3 hours diff. time so it's like 4am to my body. Plus jet lag, and driving from the airport to Nac., getting there at 11 PM the day before.

It takes like 15 minutes to show me, and I am on my way back to the air port to fly home.

CW


Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #6
On my coach, no removing any covers except the toekick cover that just pulls off, no cutting by Keith or before Keith.  Just experieced talanted finger tips driven by an over the top brain.  Awsome to watch
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #7
Made it to Searcy without wipers and had 4 windows repaired. Decided to use the Rainex method, polished up the front windows and got as far as Marshall on our way to Nag (which now has an additional wiper repair on the list) when even the Rainex could not cope (all n the dark) found a lovely spot in Walmart (my respect for this company is growing) and hope for an early start and a magnificent arrival in Nag before the morning thunderstorms that are forecast (they evidently know that the windshield wipers are not working)
Those wipers had been doing such a good job with new arms and blades, amazing until that moment they flew to the outer limits of the windshield and decided to stay there.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

 

Re: Access the windshield wiper motor?

Reply #8
I got to the wiper mechanism by removing the CB panel in front of the passenger seat.  Some screws hold it in place and then it can be moved out of the way with out disconnecting any wiring.  Disconnect all the electrical power first, house and chassis batteries grounds.  I also removed the instrument panel hood and pulled up the padded dash cover.  I did not have to saw any holes in the plywood.  Take pictures of the linkage before you remove the motor.  If you are lucky it may be just a loose wire, or a bad switch.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt