Richard_420R

They replaced the transducer for the speedo and the motor unit for the wipers - took them 3 hours. Both rock solid now. Probably my main motorway anxiety has been caused by the failed wipers - being blinded by muddy spray from a lorry in the rain on the M62 isn't much fun and I couldn't do much about it once I was committed to the journey. Hopefully I've seen the end of my wiper issues now. I think the 7 is just so obviously the wrong vehicle for motorway cruising it just doesn't work for me. By way of contrast, nice little blat up to South Cave and back in the sunny and not very cold weather today - awesome fun and a reminder of how blindingly fast the 420 is at the top end after a day of mid-rev pootling. A quick drive on the right roads quickly makes me a happy 7'er again. Going back to Oakmere again soon though to replace my immobiliser and fit the sequential lights - rev counter is basically useless when you're piling on revs in the first three gears - I also find it quite damped and doesn't quite keep up in first/second so you have to predict the limiter in 2nd anyway. Unless the rev limit is different in 2nd vs 3rd which I'm sure is not the case. But I'm spoiled by the HUD in my M4 - best option ever! Rich.

Just to conclude - round trip to Oakmere yesterday - thankfully weather was okay and the RainX worked for the light drizzle in the morning. They replaced the wiper motor unit and it now works as it should and is much more 'positive' in the wiping action so assume the unit was just slowly failing before and then finally died. Speedo also fixed as this (plus odometer) had stopped completely too. Again very happy with my Oakmere experience and I'm getting used to my Northwich jaunts but still the least pleasurable part of 7 ownership for me ... earplugs make it bearable and I'm not uncomfortable but 2+ hours on roads like M1, M62 etc isn't massive fun. Clearly I'm moaning as Mrs M is trying to persuade me to buy a trailer - not entirely sure where I'd put it yet though! Those covered mini-sprinter ones look quite nice - are they recommended? Rich.

Thanks Ian - I'll have a look tomorrow - apparently it might stop raining for 5 minutes!! Have got in booked into Oakmere in the new year anyway - so will get them to sort it unless I find something simple amiss with the wiring! Rich

Not checked the switch yet ... assuming I can get at it okay, what should I test for? Sorry if I'm being dim ... but is this to eliminate the switch/wiring to the motor as the cause? R.

Thanks all - had a poke around but think I will give Oakmere a call and figure out a slot. The only real issue is taking a full day out for the round trip ... never enough hours in the day! Thanks a million for all the responses - will help me ensure they get the fix done right! Ps I tried the wipers this morning (cold) and still dead as a door nail ... but that's better than an intermittent issue in my book! Rich.

Andy, did you replace the immobiliser or just have it removed? Mine is currently bypassed but he was suggesting a replacement if it worked. Be a pain to lose the immobiliser for insurance reasons etc

Hi Andy, yes the guy at Oakmere told me "he'd seen it before" re the immobiliser and that's why he has currently bypassed mine. I haven't had a chance to try it on track but your symptoms are identical to mine so fingers crossed. I guess he was referring to your situation! feels like the wipers are a wiring/earthing issue. By the way it seems to also happen more when hot - I'll try them again but I'd like to get they'll work when I try them next - only to stop 10 minutes later. Is that a thing?? its a new 420 - built 2019 (and registered in September). Rich.

Thanks John, yes already tried the fuse route and the pump runs fine for the screen wash. have contacted the local group - I'll see what comes back. i think most likely I need to book another Northwich visit to get his all sorted under warranty.

Hi Jonathan, Let us know about the effects of different selected speeds. - before it stopped, the faster speed was more reliable and less 'sticky' but now nothing happens at any switch positon Check the wiper motor earth at the end you can access, as above. Check the output voltage at the wiper switch on each setting. - need to figure out whether I'll DIY or find someone to help with this. Is there a simple 'access to front scuttle' guide somewhere?

Hi Ian, I don't know about the intermittent feature - I hope I'm not being daft but no amount of flicking the wiper switch gets it to move at all - both speeds. Feels like a faulty earth is to blame but not that confident taking the scuttle apart etc - anyone know of somewhere in Yorkshire or nearby that does this sort of thing? Otherwise I suspect I'm just going to brave the drive to Northwich again and hope they get it sorted this time! Rich.

Hi Jonathan, thanks for the response. Ideally I would get someone to do this for me hence the ask whether people know of anywhere trusted in the east Yorks area. to you questions - yes when speedo is dead, all other functions work (except wipers). And is there a simple guide for accessing the front scuttle? Whilst I'm not a total numpty, I'm by no means proficient re working on cars myself!! cheers, R.

Hi All, Had my 420R since October and having a couple of niggles that I'd welcome some input on. I got my 7 from Oakmere which is a bit of a trek from East Yorkshire when I am based. However I got them to look at my niggles at the running in service but it isn't fixed. The main irritation is that my wipers just stop from time to time. They'll work fine then they'll start wiping in a 'laboured' way and then refuse to move at all. People have told me "the wipers aren't very good anyway" etc but I think there must be some sort of electric gremlin- there is no motor noise, no movement at all. Second issue I had was misfiring on track day when very hot. Engine runs fine until I've done a dozen laps then I was losing power as if it was hitting the rev limit lower down. Oakmere think this might be the imboliser shorting to ground and have currently disabled it for me to test. It hasn't done it again but then I haven't been on track since so I haven't been able to properly test. Lastly the speedo started jumping and now is just sitting dead at zero. When I researched this, it seems likely an earthing problem - what do people think? So I am wondering whether all my issues are connected and to do with a faulty earth. The wipers are simply non-functional and silent when I press the button and it does not seem that they have power. Also is it possible that an issue like this only happens when the car has heated up? The speedo tends to work for a while as do the wipers then after about 15 minutes of spirited driving they just stop. Be interested in ideas ... plus does anyone know anyone near the East Yorkshire area who looks after Caterhams - Northwich is just to far to keep popping over to - plus if I have no wipers, it is 'interesting' in winter conditions! Any and all help appreciated! Rich.