MKI wipers slow on all settings

[TonyRama]

1. My model of MX-5 is: Eunos 1.8L 1994
2. I’m based near: Dunstable
3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Fix wiper problem

All settings, wash, intermittent, regular and fast all work at the exact same slow speed.

Not sure where to start with this one. Does it have a separate relay, or is something built into the control stalk? Could it be knackered contacts in the stalk?

[ast]

Its probably the wiper motor itself. I think these earlier 1.8s had the same motor as the later 1.6, and the speed controller is on the motor. It wears out.

In later cars, with the dog legged stalks, the speed control is via the stalks.

[TonyRama]

Thanks. I’ll have to find the right second hand motor. So I guess there must be some way of visually identifying which motor I have.

[whitebeard]

Hi Tony

I have a used wiper motor for sale for a mk1. It’s marked NA10 so I think its for a JDM car ie a Eunos

PM me if its of any use to you or call/ txt me on 07870 684831

Steve

[Scottishfiver]

Possible indication the battery needs a good old fashioned juice up from a proper charger. You’d be surprised…maybe. Just if the car starts OK…does not always tell the whole story. My MK1 wipers were always slowish…our M2.5’s were OK but nowt to write home over.

[ast]

There are several different types.

For the 1994 1.8 alone, there are 3 versions
N018-67-340
N001-67-340A
NA10-67-340A

Same part numbers as for post-1992 1.6 cars.

Different parts on early cars. Early motors will fit, but they mount to the firewall different (might have to put in an extra or repositioned bolt).

See

Windscreen wiper motor compatibility

Thanks for the replies. I have a 1997 MK1 with a NA92 motor and small backplate.  Electrical connector is in a different position but is actually the same fitting as the NA10. annoyingly my girlfriends Eunos  has the NA10 motor - I expected to find a N001.  Has anyone successfully replaced a N001 motor with the NA10?

[Roadster_Robbie]

It could be that the mechanism is seizing up. It’s quite satisfying to strip them down, clean and grease them.

[ast]

Interestingly, Mazda listed at one time some of the internal parts.

There is this:

Wiper Motor for a Japanese Import

  Sulston Hills do the solder repair, but I opted for a new (used) motor. After stripping down a motor, I can understand what they were driving at, but I suspect the repair will be a bit hit and miss, and might not be that long lasting. The motors are widely available, but Autolinkuk seems to be the only place that’s acknowledging different motors exist. When hooking the motor up to the linkage, its fairly critical to have it correctly fitted to the splines, so the wipers park correctly.   W…

If you google around, you find mention of a solder repair, because the tracks wera out. Sulston Hills is now called MX5Worx

[Combemartian]

Have a read of this thread.

Slow Wipers

I followed this on mine and it worked a treat.
D

[TonyRama]

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I can get the motor part number from Mazda from the chassis number.
It’s actually a 1995 model year Eunos NA8C 304615. Then it may be easier to establish where to look for the problem(s). It’s exactly the same speed on all settings.

[Belle427]

Its worth checking the ground is good too.

[TonyRama]

Blockquote

Thanks. Will check.

[ast]

You have a relatively rare NA8C Series 1.5. The part depends if you have an airbag of not.

N018-67-340 if you have an airbag

N001-67-340A or NA10-67-340A if you don’t have an airbag.

[TonyRama]

Thank you for that. No airbag so still a choice of 2. Will get into it this week and check the number on the motor. Not sure how rare. It’s a G-Ltd, and they made plenty of them. I’ll also strip and lube the mechanism as Robbie suggests.

[TonyRama]

Finally got around to investigating. Robbie was spot on with his diagnosis. It was the wiper mechanism. It’s very easy to check if it’s the motor, the mechanism or both.

1. Disconnect the push rods from the motor to the wiper spindles. This can be done without removing the plastic splash plate. The ball joints have a steel ball which sits in a nylon housing and just pushes off by hand.
2. Check the movement of the wipers by twisting the wiper arms. If they are anything but freely moving, you need to remove the arms, remove the splash plate, remove the wiper bearing, strip it. Remove any rust, and re-grease the spindles. (I could hardly move the nearside wiper by hand, and couldn’t move the offside wiper at all! I have no idea why it didn’t blow a fuse or burn out the motor). Also clean and re-grease the ball joints.
3. Turn the wiper motor on and observe the speed in different settings. (Mine was fine with intermittent, slow and fast all appearing to be OK).

Now all fixed and back to normal. There are many videos on YouTube showing the stripping of the spindles/wiper arm bearings. There is a very small c-clip on the wiper arm end of the spindle which needs to be pried off with a small screwdriver or knife to allow the retaining washer and spindle to be taken out of the back of the spindle housing. I had to use a puller and WD40. The housing is plastic so care must be taken.

Had the car 13 years, but the last 3 winters I was not able to garage it and with little winter use the weather got it.

Thank you to Robbie and also to Steve Whitebeard for the offer of a motor.