smoking wiper motor

[davestlouis]

I accidentally hit the wiper switch on my newly-purchased E28 (528e) today. The wipers moved VERY slowly and there was smoke coming from the general vicinity of the wiper motor that smelled like electrical stuff on fire. The windshield was dry, which surely didn't help anything, but I'm puzzled.

 

[epj3]

Yea this sure is puzzling!

Do you have a question or are you just telling us a story? Congrats on the purchase... you'll enjoy the car.

 

[Kirby]

Don't drive in the rain!! j/k

Hard to say, but SOMETHING, i.e. a fuse, should have popped before smoking the motor. Did you check the fuse? I would not be surprised if you find an oversized fuse in there.

Either a bad motor, or stiff/binding wiper mechanism that overloads the motor.

 

[davestlouis]

What sort of lube should I use on the linkage? I'm hoping that's all that's going on here...but it scared the crap out of me...hate to burn up a new-to-me car the first week I have it.

 

[Montana]

Sorry to hear that. In addition to their suggestions, invest in some silicone wiper blades. Very smooth operation wet or dry.

 

[davestlouis]

I lifted the wipers off the glass today and ran the motor...real slow on low or intermittent, runs fine on high. I ran a hose, put the wipers back on the glass, runs real slow on low, OK on high. I lubed every part of the linkage I could find and just have to assume the wiper motor is getting ready to go belly-up. The car had been driven less than 5000 miles in the past 5 years, and I think the hibernation didn't do it any favors. We'll see. The E32 735iL is coming home tomorrow night...another toy to play with!

 

[Kirby]

If it runs OK on high, but weak on slower speeds, it's most likely the motor. I would replace the motor, and while the motor is disconnected, move the wiper mechanism by hand to see if it is binding.