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MG MGF Technical - windscreen washers

Has anyone managed to redesign the electrics to revert to the standard all car practice of including wash wipe as part of the signal to the wipers, I cannot understand why MG decided to make the signal to wash a completely different operation! It makes it quite dangerous at times when you are used to driving other modern cars, but not my 1954 MG TF 1500 which really makes you think!
Seriously though this is a area to which we could address our attention to, I am sure there must be all sorts of technical expertise within our various Clubs to offer the necessaary advise.
John

Fairly simple IMO

Squirt screen with fluid then wipe wet screen = OK

Wipe screen before wet = scratched screen

JohnP (aka Sprinter))

The MG is equipped with a Rover group standard fuse board and multifunction unit - which I presume is probably shared with the Mk2 Rover200, the Rover100 and other cars of a similar pre-95/96 vintage. Do all these cars have the same slightly infuriating "no-wipe with wash" logic? If they haven't then perhaps the flip of the windscreen wipers can be re-instated?
Rob Bell

I would be very intrested in any of you sparkies can come up with an answer. I catch me out when ever I change from the Volvo to the MG. :-o
Steve Ratledge

Pre-programmed wash/wipe was DELIBERATELY de-specified according to Gerry McGovern when i had a chat to him in, oh must be 1997/8.

This is to give control of the amount of water on the screen before the wipers activate to the driver and thus prevent water ingress into the cabin.

If you really want a box of tricks do this job for you, then the multifunction box from the ZS, which is compatible with the stalks in the F/TF, should be a straight swap.

HTH

SF
Scarlet Fever

Personally, I like the way the wipers/washers on the F work (like JohnP above, gving away my age). There's nothing worse on a frosty morning than trying to wash the windscreen when the water is frozen and the wipers just spread the muck over the screen making it impossible to see through it.
David Clelland

and the other reason, is that, no matter how many times I adjust the washers, the best wash is at 30 mph when you wash the screen, wait for the wind to carry some of the water sideways, then wipe..

Neil H

>> and the other reason, is that, no matter how many times I adjust the washers, the best wash is at 30 mph when you wash the screen, wait for the wind to carry some of the water sideways, then wipe.. <<

Yeah, I have a similar problem with my driver's side washers! Grrr!

I like Andy's cunning solution though ;o)
Rob Bell

Shhh, it's TOP SECRET! ;-)

Plus it's also work in progress...

SF
Scarlet Fever

I wanna know.. I wanna know...

Neil H

D'oh!
Rob Bell

Hi,

that's a funny coincedence.
The same discussion is running since three days at the German Forum.
Someone said the _combined_ wash-wipe works with his TF.. Me daubts though, cause he's the only by now. This would mean there would be different MFU or wiring of Fuse #18? exist. Can't believe.

Good post from Andy. I'll foreward.

Cheers
Dieter

Dieter K. @ work?

The lack of a programmed wash wipe on my TF160 annoyed me at first until I discovered that the flick wipe will drive the wipers at high speed. I now prefer the system as it is. Pull the wiper stalk back to actuate the washers and then down and hold to actuate the wipers at high speed. Allow the stalk to move forward whilst still holding down will stop the washers while the wipers continue at high speed. Allow stalk to return to cetre position to stop wipers.
Des
Des



Andy (SF)- have you managed to organise the Mercedes system of the washers on the wiper blades. Iam totally pssed off with the the current washer system -would prefer a spray so that I get a better wash without scratches

Looking forward to your reply

David
David

Thanks to having a brother who is fantastic with car electrics, I have the wash wipe function on my 'f'. If I remember rightly it was (or certainly looked) a fairly simple thing to do. Drop me a mail if interested and I'll have a word with him for you.

Regards, Ian

PS My 'f' has one touch windows up and down on both windows and the windows close when the alarm is pressed twice ie superlocked. It can be done! Likewise, drop me a mail if interested.
Ian L

Ow hell - looks like the secret's out then! LOL :-)

Rob (and David) are referring to one of the mods i started during the rebuild. I had the washers removed from the bonnet and the holes welded up and am 3/4 of the way through mounting them on the wiper arms.

I am using some Jaguar components, but 90% of the conversion is simply removing the existing hoses and reassembling them in a different order.

The only problem i have had so far is the Jaguar XJ8 only has a single wiper and of course the F has two. I therefore have the driver's washer plumbed in ready and the hose is installed to take the water to the passenger side wiper, but i have yet to source the second washer jet. This should happen soon though, even if i have to buy new.

SF
Scarlet Fever

Ian - would definitely be interested in hearing how your brother performed both procedures :o)

>> The same discussion is running since three days at the German Forum.
Someone said the _combined_ wash-wipe works with his TF.. Me daubts though, cause he's the only by now. This would mean there would be different MFU or wiring of Fuse #18? exist. <<

Perhaps there is an easy modification in this area of the wiring loom that can be performed to revive this function Dieter? I can't believe that MGR specified a completely different MFU for the MGF when they could have used an off the shelf Metro/ Rover 200 item...
Rob Bell

Ian, I would also be intrested in how you have got this stuff to work. My bro is a sparks so I am sure he can help me if you have wiring diagrams etc.

Cheers
Steve Ratledge

Sorry for the delay in replying, I've been up to my eyes the last few days!

Got around to speaking to my brother last night re drawing some diagrams. As its been a while since he did my car, he said that if someone wants it fitted (anyone) then as its being done it can be photographed and documented as he goes. The charge for the wash/wipe would be £50.00. Its not as simple as I thought, apparantly the relay has to be re tracked to make it the opposite of what it is ie live instead of negative at rest (or visa versa). He could then supply the relays by post to anyone that fancies giving it a go? The window one touch and lifters were much more complicated so if anyone fancies having these done then I can supply my brothers number to you.

I'll be at Stoneleigh on Sunday so if anyone wants to have a look at my car they are welcome too.

Regards, Ian
Ian L

This thread was discussed between 05/02/2004 and 13/02/2004

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