Wipers when you wash the screen

[SCP440]

Are the wipers supposed to work automatically when you wash the screen?

If so what triggers this? Is it the sensor for the automatic wipers get some water on it or is there a relay that comes into action when the washer pump is activated?

The reason I ask I have noticed that the wipers don't always go when I wash the screen and sometimes I have to repeatedly press the wash button for the wipers to go. Do I need to just reposition a washer jet to get some water on the sensor or do I have a faulty relay?

Everything else works as it should and the wipers work automatically when ever the screen gets wet normally.

[SD1too]

The first thing to check Steve is that you are pressing the washer button for a good few seconds. I have found that a quick burst isn’t always sufficient to trigger the programmed wipe.

Simon

[marinabrian]

It's controlled by the BCU, and programmed wash wipe is a T4 option.

If it is set to no programmed wash wipe, then pulling the stalk operates the washers without operating the wipers, if set this way, you don't get the wipers dragging over a dry screen, so it does have it's advantages ;)

Brian :D

[macafee2]

I was also told that it did not automatically wipe each time it was washed but about 1 in 4.

macafee2

[steve-45]

I was also told that it did not automatically wipe each time it was washed but about 1 in 4.

macafee2

Not sure about that, but I seem to recall that if you have headlamp washers they trigger about every 4th wash of the screen.

[T-Cut]

I've never experienced any need for a long or a short pull of the stalk. The wipers always start almost immediately. But having an option to spray the screen without the wipers operating seems a bit futile, if not potentially dangerous.

TC

[Fox3]

Mine seems to need a pull of a couple of seconds to operate the wipers, I quite like it. Often at this time of year the washers are frozen solid, this saves smearing the salt and dirt across the screen unnecessarily

[macafee2]

Not sure about that, but I seem to recall that if you have headlamp washers they trigger about every 4th wash of the screen.

yea got those. never see the point of wash without wipe
maybe I was getting mixed up, thanks

macafee2

[COLVERT]

I've never experienced any need for a long or a short pull of the stalk. The wipers always start almost immediately. But having an option to spray the screen without the wipers operating seems a bit futile, if not potentially dangerous.

TC

However supplying power to frozen down wipers might not make the wiper motor too happy.---:eek:

[olliesgrandad]

Not sure about that, but I seem to recall that if you have headlamp washers they trigger about every 4th wash of the screen.

Mine is every 5 wipe if head lights are on :D

[roverbarmy]

As you pull the lever towards you, mine wipes immediately and washes after/during the second wipe of the screen.

[BoroRover]

As you pull the lever towards you, mine wipes immediately and washes after/during the second wipe of the screen.

Yep, me too.

[Groundsman Willie]

Mine gives a good second of wash before the wipers kick in

[marinabrian]

I've never experienced any need for a long or a short pull of the stalk. The wipers always start almost immediately. But having an option to spray the screen without the wipers operating seems a bit futile, if not potentially dangerous.

TC

Potentially dangerous???? you obviously never driven an E493A with a rubber bulb to operate the screenwash, coupled with vacuum operated wipers :drool4:

http://www.simoncars.co.uk/ford/slides/Ford%20Prefect%20E493A%201952%20front.jpg

Brian :D

[HarryM1BYT]

Yep, me too.

Seems wrong to me, I wonder if your water in the pipe might be draining back down, hence the delay in water appearing out of the jets?

I pull for the washers, then two seconds later (if I continue to pull) the wipers start and run for several wipes. If I suspect the jets might be frozen or the bottle empty, I test with a quick pull on the switch. Difficult to not know when the bottle is empty though, because warning light would be on.

[T-Cut]

you obviously never driven an E493A with a rubber bulb to operate the screenwash, coupled with vacuum operated wipers.

No, but me dad had an Austin 7 with wire wheels and vacuum wipers.
We'd never heard of screen washers though.

TC

[murphyv310]

Potentially dangerous???? you obviously never driven an E493A with a rubber bulb to operate the screenwash, coupled with vacuum operated wipers :drool4:

http://www.simoncars.co.uk/ford/slides/Ford%20Prefect%20E493A%201952%20front.jpg

Brian :D

Dad had a V8 Pilot Brian, I remember it very well (FWV571) Would dearly love a drive in one now.
Remember the Imp with its rubber button on the dash for the washers, today's motorist is really cosseted.

[Groundsman Willie]

Seems wrong to me, I wonder if your water in the pipe might be draining back down, hence the delay in water appearing out of the jets?

I pull for the washers, then two seconds later (if I continue to pull) the wipers start and run for several wipes. If I suspect the jets might be frozen or the bottle empty, I test with a quick pull on the switch. Difficult to not know when the bottle is empty though, because warning light would be on.
There's a warning light for an empty washer bottle?

[Groundsman Willie]

Dad had a V8 Pilot Brian, I remember it very well (FWV571) Would dearly love a drive in one now.
Remember the Imp with its rubber button on the dash for the washers, today's motorist is really cosseted.
On my vw bay window campers, you had to pressurize the screen wash system with a tyre pump. Over a few weeks (depending on how good the seals were), the screen washers would go from good blast, down to feeble dribble

[marinabrian]

Dad had a V8 Pilot Brian, I remember it very well (FWV571) Would dearly love a drive in one now.
Remember the Imp with its rubber button on the dash for the washers, today's motorist is really cosseted.

You can't beat a nice V8 sidevalve Trev :drool4:

Interestingly enough, last time I took the Prefect for an MOT, the testing station had a new ramp fitted...........there was 1 1/4" of tyre actually on the ramp at either side :eek:

One of the benefits of having a car which is 4'6" wide I suppose :getmecoat:

No seat belts, no airbags, rod operated drum brakes, no heater, and a chrome propeller to wind the windscreen open on a pantograph, however it does have ICE in the form of a Radiomobile valve radio.

Come to think of it, next time I excavate it from it's hibernation, I can just tax it and go, the tyres are knackered, so I might fit four spacesaver tyre, as the tyre size is 5.25 16

For a laugh, I've just checked its MOT history :D

DEB246
FORD PREFECT

Colour
Brown
Fuel type
Petrol
Date registered
11 April 1953
First MOT due
Unknown
Get an MOT reminderwhen the vehicle's MOT is near its time for renewal. (Opens in a new Window) by email or text.

Check the MOT fees table to see when different vehicle types need their first MOT.

If you think the MOT expiry date or any of the vehicle details are wrong, contact DVSA.
Open All
MOT History
Mileage recorded at test, parts failed or had minor problems


This vehicle hasn't had its first MOT.

[T-Cut]

it does have ICE in the form of a Radiomobile valve radio.

A Ford Prefect 16v eh?

TC

[jackatesme]

The 1st family car i bought, when i won the colliery football pontoon £40. I think it was a ford Anglia.
Must have been about 1961, i remember the big headlights on front wings and when engine slowed down to idle, had to put hand out of window to help them keep wiping. Only other thing i remember was indicators in B pillar. Used to take my mother for a drive around the Brecon Beacons,very few cars on the road those days. A joy to be driving.:}

[murphyv310]

A Ford Prefect 16v eh?

TC

The Pilot had a standard fitting Radio TC, i used to get into trouble when Dad went to dig worms for fishing and I sat in the car with instructions not to put the wireless on...... Aye right, well it did have a starting handle. Six volt system and no doubt 6-8 amps drain with the wireless on.
A five valve set with vibrator for HT.

[Jim Jamieson]

My Uncle George had a Prefect the same as that. FAG 355 and oddly enough my other Uncle Bill had a V8 Pilot. I never saw him much as he was in Liverpool as a Police Inspector hence he could afford the V8.

I still remember the smell of musty leather in the Prefect though.

Mum & Dad had a few Fords starting with a 5cwt Thames van JCS 480 followed by an Escort, NSD 884 the proper Mk1 which was a Thames van converted basically into a five seater. That was followed by a Consul Classic TCS 993 and finally a 1200 cc Cortina BAG 384B

I was always better at remembering car numbers than folks names :duh:

[HarryM1BYT]

Yep, me too.

There's a warning light for an empty washer bottle?

Yes, but I have only seen it appear once after I forgot to check the tank level. It shows on the high level dash as a graphic and when it shows there is still a bit of water left, but it disables the headlight wash to conserve what is left.