I have just been in the shed working through a few problems with my wifes' new Mini in order to get a roadworthy for registration. The wipers start OK, but then run out of puff and stop in a vertical position unless I give them a push. They then finish their sweep and return to their starting position in front of the driver without further assistance. This is on a dry screen. The wipers will work with one blade, but not two.
Is the wiper motor stuffed or is it simply a lack of lubrication somewhere? The motor is the square type and the wipers park in front of the driver. Thanks.

I would suggest removal of wiper motor and all mechanism for checking an lubrication. Wiper motor Bushes might be seezed or seezing up. easy to clean and Lube. An other thing is that the brushes might be stuck with age and are not making contact with the commutator causing the motor to be gutless. Brush springs might be all rusted up not pusing the brush down enough. Remember these things are over 30 years old now. They "might" need a service.

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DID I MENTION THAT I AM THE BEST SUPPLIER FOR MINI ELECTRICAL PARTS AND REPAIRS?
"Let us remove your "SHORTS"

I had a problem with my Race mini that was similar.

Pulled motor off and bench tested fine.....
Put back on the car - and would stall.

Pulled out the spindles and tube - and they were gunked up with 40yr old hardened grease.
A few messy hours cleaning them all up and putting in new grease and now work perfectly.

So I'd suggest :
Step 1: Disconnect wiper cable from motor - and check if runs freely and as you'd expect and doesn't stall or sound sluggish.
If OK - go to step 2 - otherwise investigate motor/wiring (eg earth) issues.

Step 2: Pull out and check the tubing and spindles - and clean up and regrease..

Thanks for the tips. The wiper motor is actually 44 years old! The motor is an English DR3A with two poles. I have a spare motor here, but it is a later Australian DR3A with threes poles marked 1, 2 and E. How do I go about connecting it up when I have only two wires? Cheers.

Just had a look at my cars....
... and then the manual....

(This is for a deluxe which is positive earth..... however both my cars have been converted to negative earth and wiring is the same.) *

E - Earth (Black)
2 - Green - Power feed direct from fuse box.
1 - Black with green stripe - to switch which goes to earth.

1 & 2 should match the wires you already have.
The extra "E" connector I'd just make up a suitable wire and earth to the body nearby.

* I suspect the motor will run either way and as a worm drive converting to circular motion - would just affect wiper arm fitment (??)

Looking at the manual for Mini and Moke - these only have 2 wires :

Black - To earth.
Black Green from Switch.
(Green from fuse box to other side of switch)

So wiring may be a little different..
but effectively the same.....

In short I think 1 & 2 are connect +ve and -ve - and sequence will not matter - just set so matches how you wipers go.
(benched tested mine and yep connecting to 1 & 2 either way just determines which way the motor spins. I did not have E connected - this may be something to do with self parking ? )