CtrMint Posted December 17, 2019 Share Posted December 17, 2019 When I built my 420 last year I had to install an earth from the side of the bell housing onto the chassis just under the coolant pipes near the airbox. Do you have that fitted? Just a thought. if you do is it worth checking the paint isn't prevent a good connection . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 So being a September 2019 build your 420 will be using the latest earth lead configuration, as far as I can tell its been a know problem since 2016. I still suspect the earth connection behind knee panel on the LHS, where the wiper motor is located. The immobiliser box is located there as well so I assume it uses the same earth connection. I am at a loss to explain why its only a problem when hot, unless the connection poor but not non existent and is getting hot and increasing resistance when an increased current is flowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 Thanks to Daniel French's wiper motor removal blog post you can see the earth connection I am talking about and the behind that in the background you can see the immobiliser box http://www.caterhamr500.co.uk/2016/03/wiper-motor-removal-with-guide.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 It does seem ‘wrong’, however I scraped powdercoat off the chassis under the earth points so the terminal was touching bare metal and not relying on contact through the thread of the fixing. Smear of grease protects chassis and electrical connection from corrosion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_420R Posted December 18, 2019 Author Share Posted December 18, 2019 Thanks all - had a poke around but think I will give Oakmere a call and figure out a slot. The only real issue is taking a full day out for the round trip ... never enough hours in the day!Thanks a million for all the responses - will help me ensure they get the fix done right!Ps I tried the wipers this morning (cold) and still dead as a door nail ... but that's better than an intermittent issue in my book! Rich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 Did you manage to check the voltage at the wiper switch? All ammo for your Oakmere visit.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_420R Posted December 18, 2019 Author Share Posted December 18, 2019 Not checked the switch yet ... assuming I can get at it okay, what should I test for? Sorry if I'm being dim ... but is this to eliminate the switch/wiring to the motor as the cause?R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Vine Posted December 18, 2019 Share Posted December 18, 2019 It's to test that you have 12v at the switch - both in and (with the switch "on") out. If you have, the fault lies further on - in the wiring to the motor, or the motor earth, or in the motor itself.JV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted December 19, 2019 Share Posted December 19, 2019 If it is still the mini style motor they have a park switch that clips onto the outside of the casing. It basically maintains a live till the wipers are in the place you want them to stop. Reason for mention it is part of the circuit that gets live to the motor. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_420R Posted December 21, 2019 Author Share Posted December 21, 2019 Thanks Ian - I'll have a look tomorrow - apparently it might stop raining for 5 minutes!!Have got in booked into Oakmere in the new year anyway - so will get them to sort it unless I find something simple amiss with the wiring!Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_420R Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Just to conclude - round trip to Oakmere yesterday - thankfully weather was okay and the RainX worked for the light drizzle in the morning. They replaced the wiper motor unit and it now works as it should and is much more 'positive' in the wiping action so assume the unit was just slowly failing before and then finally died. Speedo also fixed as this (plus odometer) had stopped completely too. Again very happy with my Oakmere experience and I'm getting used to my Northwich jaunts but still the least pleasurable part of 7 ownership for me ... earplugs make it bearable and I'm not uncomfortable but 2+ hours on roads like M1, M62 etc isn't massive fun. Clearly I'm moaning as Mrs M is trying to persuade me to buy a trailer - not entirely sure where I'd put it yet though! Those covered mini-sprinter ones look quite nice - are they recommended?Rich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 4, 2020 Member Share Posted January 4, 2020 Glad those are sorted. Any more information on what was wrong with the speedometer?Motorways: You've got noise protection, anything else that might make it less unenjoyable... position, pedal position, mirror coverage, lights that make you more obvious, in-car entertainment?Trailers: Covered trailers from the archives.Happy New YearJonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_420R Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 They replaced the transducer for the speedo and the motor unit for the wipers - took them 3 hours. Both rock solid now. Probably my main motorway anxiety has been caused by the failed wipers - being blinded by muddy spray from a lorry in the rain on the M62 isn't much fun and I couldn't do much about it once I was committed to the journey. Hopefully I've seen the end of my wiper issues now. I think the 7 is just so obviously the wrong vehicle for motorway cruising it just doesn't work for me.By way of contrast, nice little blat up to South Cave and back in the sunny and not very cold weather today - awesome fun and a reminder of how blindingly fast the 420 is at the top end after a day of mid-rev pootling. A quick drive on the right roads quickly makes me a happy 7'er again.Going back to Oakmere again soon though to replace my immobiliser and fit the sequential lights - rev counter is basically useless when you're piling on revs in the first three gears - I also find it quite damped and doesn't quite keep up in first/second so you have to predict the limiter in 2nd anyway. Unless the rev limit is different in 2nd vs 3rd which I'm sure is not the case. But I'm spoiled by the HUD in my M4 - best option ever! Rich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 4, 2020 Member Share Posted January 4, 2020 Thanks.Are you using Rain-X or similar? Seems to make more difference in the Seven than in other four-wheelers.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_420R Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Re trailers, I meant the PRG MiniSporter ... forgot the name. According to their reviews, Oakmere have bought a number - bit pricey but look very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard_420R Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Hi Jonathan - used RainX this time in prep for no-wiper-hell and for rain it's pretty good - mud and dirty spray etc - not so good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted January 4, 2020 Member Share Posted January 4, 2020 Re trailers, I meant the PRG MiniSporter ... forgot the name.To my surprise I got a lot more hits from the built-in search than from Google: https://www.lotus7.club/search/site/MINISPORTER.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 I found Rain-X useless on the front screen of the 7, as it is not sloped enough. The rain goes round in circles. It is great on the side screens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Reeves Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Rain X is good, I rarely use wipers with it.speed up Ian that will move the water Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petethediesel Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 Good to hear that Richard. If you completed that in one go, it must have been a long day! I have modified a pair of Peltor heavy duty earphones and fitted bluetooth intercom units to them. Works very well and enables me to listen to radio/and/or satnav instructions. Doesn't make the Motorway to Northwhich fun but at least bearable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted January 5, 2020 Share Posted January 5, 2020 My 'Satnav' uses hand signals, gestures or the odd thump....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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