I am a new member here and I can't seem to locate any posts on this topic? 1987 560SL; wipers not moving.

What I am really looking for here is some advice as to where do I look to fix the wiper problem? I can't seem to figure out where the motor lives.

The motor is running(I can hear it). The blades move freely when manually activated, and only move 1-2 degrees when the motor goes thru its cycle. Is there a linkage or transmission to check out? How do I get access to the motor location to check for a linkage problem? They were working fine as I was driving down the highway, with my cruise control on. First the cruise control just quit working. About a half hour later the wiper quit. I am sure they aren't related but I couldn't help but wonder what the next surprise would be as I was driving down the road. Luckily, nothing else. This is my 4th SL and I LOVE them!

My name is Ed and I love this site!

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Many times on the R107 SL's the wiper bellcrank behind the instrument cluster will come loose. Removal of the cluster & under-dash panel will reveal the problem. NOT a $$$ repair most of the time.

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M.B.DOC: Thanks for your reply! I was told by another member at a different Forum on this site to go in from the outside access panels. So, you can probably understand my confusion. You seem to have the credentials to back up your suggestions so I'll have to get one of those tools to pull the dash and also pull my steering wheel? I have NEVER done this. There seem to be airbag concerns. BTW, I would like to acquire service documentation so I don't have to keep bugging people all the time for the details. And I don't mind spending money on the the BEST.

What option(s) would you guys recommend for good documentation? Later, Ed.

Try removing the under-dash panel on the drivers side & then look up to see the wiper linkage & bell-crank. MANY times the bolts securing the bell-crank will come loose or break off.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

... Try removing the under-dash panel on the drivers side ...
OK; I'll try that this Sat or Sun. At least that should divulge the problem before I decide what method will be rquired to access and repair it. I am now trying to figure out how to remove the seat. Later, Ed.

M.B.Doc: Mission accomplished, and, MANY THANKS !!!

One bolt holding the bellcrank pivot must have fallen out(the one closest to the front of the car), leaving all the stress on the aft bolt. What I found was the ear sheared off at the aft bolt hole and the bellcrank pivot floating in midair. I fabricated two notched washers to retain the existing bellcrank pivot so I didn't have to deal with trying to introduce a new part into that mechanical mess. How would one get to the actuator location if trouble ever developed there?

There is a relay? flasher? sitting under the transfer arm leading to the wiper actuator mechanism. It must have been hit during the last few cycles before failure. Does this thing have anything to do with the cruise control? My cruise control was knocked out of commission as I was driving along, prior to the wiper failure. Also, I have a 8" black insulated wire that is grounded but I don't know where it came from. The wire can be seen in the area in front of the hood release lever, near the footbrake arm.

A little bit of possible wisdom to share - my Dad always stressed to me that a piece of machinery usually gives a warning before it fails. Not always, and not necessarily a major announcement, but a warning, nonetheless. A drop of fluid, a noise, a smell, heat etc. ... Well, altho I couldn't decipher it as a warning - the wipers were parking BELOW the windshield/body line when I took posession of the car. The dealer told me that I would probably have to take the wiper arms off and remount them to re-position them. Sounded plausible to me. What the "wrong parking position" was telling us was that the bell crank pivot was wandering aimlessly during its fateful journey to failure. Hopefully this will be of help to some of you. It is NO FUN working under there. Any time you have the instrument cluster out you may want to check those bolts.

Thanks, again to M.B.Doc and those of you who took the trouble to share your views on my plight. I am still wondering how to troubleshoot the CruiseControl problem. Worked fine at 75 mph and it just decided to quit and has not shown up for work ever since.

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Excellent thread, it is so much more helpful when people respond tith updates and resolutions. Did you access it from under the dash? Did you have to remove the instrument cluster?

On documentation, I have a printed set but I have been told that MB no linger sells printed versions for our cars (380 560sl)? You can buy CD ROMS of the documentation on this site from Fastlane (official MB licensed copies) or find less expensive copies on ebay. I do not know if the cheap ones on ebay are the same as the Fastlane official MB ones.

" ... Did you have to remove the instrument cluster? ... "

Yes; I am now wondering if I should replace the clock because it doesn't work, either.