Seized wiper spindle
The windscreen wipers on this 2001 Jaguar S-TYPE had been slowing down over the course of a few weeks and the owner was concerned that the motor was wearing out. Then the blades stuck halfway up the screen and refused to budge.
Our first task was to undo the nut securing the wiper motor spindle to the mechanism. Once the motor was free, it immediately started to move and put itself in the ‘Park’ position. By this stage it was clear that the problem was that both wiper spindles on the mechanism had seized. This is a common problem and we have seen wiper motors burn themselves out trying to move a seized mechanism.
Fitting a new mechanism requires the removal of the rear scuttle and engine bay strengthening bar, along with the coolant header tank. The bolts securing the strengthening bar should be well soaked with penetrating fluid before removal and well greased before refitting as they tend to corrode and can easily shear off. Due to the strain imposed on the wiper motor, the owner decided a new motor should also be fitted to avoid further problems.