In trying to get the wipers working on the 1991 240, I'm swapping known good parts from the 1990 240DL parts car. I was able to remove the upper and lower covers on the 1990 to get the wiper switch out easily. On the 1991 I have (I think) all of the screws out but the plastic cover seems to be hung up on the left side near the vent grill. Do I need to remove the lower bolster on that year to get it out?


Brian Mee

1992 945T
1991 240
1990 240 DL (parts)

Hi,

As I remember the covers can be removed without the lower bolster being remove.
The top one fits tightly under the instrument cluster.
I think I push down on the cluster end, lift the steering wheel end and wiggle it back and forth a little as there are some plastic guides tips to keep it from rattling. Just when you think it’s not moving a click happens. It’s then I ask, what heck, you sure were fighting me, why?
I go with happy and blow it off each time!

Thinking on it, the ignition switch has its on little cover. That cover clips or fingers fit into slots. It’s not hard to break them if you don’t treat it gingerly. I try not to mess with it but still I have so maybe it helps. Removing it might give you a little bit more sideways movement.

I think you can get to either stalk switches on both sides of the steering column once the two parts are uncoupled.

I hope this cheers you onwards that you are not the only one!

Phil

I dunno, Phil. It looks to me like you might have to remove the knee bolster first. I'm not sure, because I never tried without doing so.

"Just when you think it’s not moving a click happens."

When I hear that click, I know I just broke some vintage plastic. :)



http://cleanflametrap.com/dash.html <-- Lots of hints in here to avoid breaking your old plastic.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

"Feel free to point out my ignorance but don't insult my intelligence."

Art was right as usual. The left bolster had to drop down to see one more torx bolt to the left of the steering column. Got that out and replaced the stalk switch with a known good unit from the parts 240. Result nothing!

Fuse #2 k=looks good, shows electrical continuity across it and has been rotated. (Horn has worked throughout and I think it shares both power and ground with the wipers).

So to sum up, replaced wiper motor with known working unit - no change
Replaced wiper switch with known working unit - no change

Now checking for 12 VDC on any terminal on the connector to the wiper switch.

For some reason I can't seem to see 12 VDC from any fuse to the body but everything but the wipers work.

Also confirmed that the wiper mechanism itself is free to move after removing the original motor.

OK. there seems to be a difference in how 1990 and 1991 wiper motors are grounded. Hooking an external ground to the 1990 motor leading to one of the hold down bolts restored operations.

Prior to that I was finally able to measure voltage at the switch connector inside and at the motor connector under the hood, so it looked like a grounding issue.

Thanks for the advice as usual.

Brian Mee

Manassas VA

1991 240

1992 945T

I dunno either, Art!
It’s not often one has to tear into that area of the steering column for like two unit items that are really reliable.

I actually had to think about how many dashes, I have seen missing their instrument clusters, when I was writing my post.
Trying to remember the combinations you can find these cars under was daunting.
I kept using a disclaimer of, I think or can’t remember, of which, blurs in and out for several moments. (: )

I still think I have taken the top cover off to get under there for replacing a turn signal switch on my 1991. There are big holes on each side for the stalks to come out in the bottom cover. For some reason I remember it took me all of ten minutes to exchange it.

Even in junkyards its seldom you have remove the Bolster, as it’s already gone for people looking around under there for goodies.
If you see one, still in place, then you got a chance to go diving for some pearls like switches, clutch cables, throttle cables, bulb out relays and cruise control boxes.

Too me, removing that bolster is like having “foreplay,” to having a good long day of picking.
I’m saving my cars from the “ravishingly” arms of a crusher!

Phil