So decided to take the bus out for a spin today. First ti e out since Battlebridge. Drove about a mile then noticed a nasty electric smell and smoke stared to come from the top dash vents! I pulled over immediately and switched off the ignition. Decided to go home and it started raining. Tried to switch on my wipers - nothing doing. Got home and left the whole thing for a few hours to cool down. Went out. Wipers working and while there was still a smell i figured it was residual from before. No smoke either. Any thoughts people? One idea i had was that perhaps the wipers were stuck so the motor was oberheating trying to shift them. Dont want to have to take the dash out as were off to jersey in two weeks. Perplexed.....
i would disconnect the wiper linkage and try the motor... with out load. then you can check linkage for free movement
Likely that if the wipers had seized, it would've popped the fuse. Have you got an 8 amp-er in there? Only way to check without guessing is to take the dash top off and see what's charred...
I'd look too as you said the smell preceded trying the wipers... I'd check the handbrake mechanism or heater levers (under dash bits) haven't cut through a cable.
Thanks will check the fuses (no 10 or 11 I think). plus the cut through cable check. Was pretty miffed about all of this...
All. Checked under the dash this afternoon with a torch (and I even put my glasses on!) and could see no evidence of charring or melted wires. No evidence either of cables cut by heater controls. Tried the wipers and they worked fine and no smell either. Really perplexed. Can someone advise which fuse is the one to check for a 1974 Aussie bus and what fuse exactly should be in there. 8 amp or lower? My Haynes manual is not clear on this. Cheers, Jon
You should be able to get your motor out from underneath without having to remove the dash top. * Screw off the 2 wipers outside * Reach up under the dash and plug out the connection which is on the rhs of the motor. * Remove the 13' nut directly under the motor. * Wiggle mechanism down but mind it doesn't catch on your wiring. Note: You may need to remove your glovebox liner to fit it out. It's actually quite easy to remove but once you have it out you might be able to shed some light on why it's playing up.
just my 2pence worth mate, from bitter experience, make sure the component is!!! fused ! perhaps it is supossed to be , but previous owners and all that! the smell you spoke of , if no melted wires would suggest it"s coming from the wiper motor itself , good luck
Thanks all. My plan this weekend is to: Turn on wipers quick for 5-10 secs to check they are working (which they were on monday night) Whip out the fuse and check again. Hopefully i get zippo response at least confirming they are on a fused circuit. Check amp on fuse to ensure correct one fitted. One more final check over then test drive. If i still get smoke then panic. Jon
