| NASkeet |
Tue Aug 20, 2024 11:07 am |
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The Penalties of Having Unserviceable Windscreen Wipers and/or Washers!
I recall from several years ago, reading in one of the 1968~79 VW Type 2 forum topic threads, a poll regarding what proportion of vehicle owners / drivers, had unserviceable windscreen wipers and/or washers. I was EXTREMELY SHOCKED to learn, that a large proportion of these vehicles in North America, had unserviceable windscreen wipers and/or washers for extended periods; which in one case was more than SIX MONTHS! :shock: :evil:
Naturally, I reminded everyone that having unserviceable windscreen wipers and/or washers would immediately result in failure of the obligatory, annual MOT roadworthiness inspection in Great Britain and leave one liable to prosecution if stopped by police; recounting an episode which was published in one of the national newspapers.
Recalling that episode, I was intrigued by the following link for the RAC – Royal Automobile Club, upon which I stumbled recently, reminding people of the legal penalties of failing to properly maintain their vehicles; including the serviceability of their windscreen wipers and/or washers, which includes the windscreen-washer reservoir actually containing washer-fluid.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/dont-get-caught-out-by-this-highway-code-rule/
« Damaged windscreen wipers »
« The Department for Transport explains that all windscreen wipers ‘must be properly adjusted and maintained in efficient working order’ and that failure to do so could lead to dangerous driving scenarios. »
« This could lead to a £2,500 fine and three penalty points. If you’re found to commit the offence (or one similar) twice within a three year span from the original offence, then you may be disqualified from driving for a minimum of six months. »
« Car fluids »
« According to Section 34 of the Road Vehicles Regulations 1986, cars must be fitted with a windscreen wiper and washer capable of cleaning your windscreen at all times. »
« The rule ensures that drivers have a clear view of the road. If your car has no washer fluid, you could be charged with careless driving, an offence where police have the power to issue an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice for £100 and three penalty points. »
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windscreen-wipers-and-washers-on-road-vehicles
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/windscr...d-vehicles
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mot-inspection-manual-...visibility
In the United Kingdom, driving disqualifications of more than 56 days, require offenders to resit the driving test or an extended driving test, before they can apply for reinstatement of their driving licence. Having penalty points on one’s driving licence, typically results in the further financial penalty of increased motor-insurance premiums for several years!
https://www.gov.uk/penalty-points-endorsements/endorsement-codes-and-penalty-points
https://www.legaldocuments.co.uk/road-traffic-law/vehicle-defect-offenses/
Similar regulations probably exist in most European countries, in which the penalties might be even more severe.
Judging by the incidents featured on the New Zealand reality television series “Motorway Patrol”, “Highway Cops” & “Police Ten 7”, transmitted on one of the British television channels in recent years, the New Zealand traffic police & magistrates, take a hard line against poorly maintained and improperly modified vehicles.
When stopped by police on the road, these can be immediately declared unroadworthy, resulting in an associated large coloured window sticker, with associated fines & licence demerit points, and additional large fines & licence demerit points, if the vehicle is driven again before the faults are rectified & certified. In many such cases, the vehicle is prohibited from being driven any further and has to be removed from the scene on a trailer or low-loader.
In New Zealand, vehicles less than 3 years old, are subject to the obligatory yearly WOF – Warrant of Fitness roadworthiness inspections & certifications, whilst those more than 3 years old must have this done on a six-monthly basis.[/b] |
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| airschooled |
Tue Aug 20, 2024 1:11 pm |
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| Damn. Here in America people just smoke their electronic pot pens and drive with kids in the back seat. The only thing inspected is their text message inbox. |
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| KTPhil |
Tue Aug 20, 2024 1:24 pm |
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NASkeet wrote: I am aware from the following topic thread, that bodywork-mounted, windscreen-washer units, having TWO washer-jet nozzles, as fitted to some or all 1980~82 VW Transporter T3 (i.e. VW Vanagon in USA parlance!?!), have been used to improve the washer-fluid distribution over the front windscreen glass of a 1968~79 VW Type 2.
Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > Windshield washer dual sprayer nozzle upgrade!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=554391
Whilst I was searching the Australian & British Internet websites of Just Kampers, to determine the current availability or otherwise, of RHD – right-hand drive configuration, front windscreen-wiper arms, for the Australian assembled, 1968~79 VW Type 2s, I stumbled upon alternative bodywork-mounted, windscreen-washer units, having THREE washer-jet nozzles as follows:
Windscreen Wiper Arms (Pair) for VW T2 Bay (Fits Australian Built Vans Only)
https://www.justkampers.com.au/vw-t2-bay-window-pa...-only.html
James Akers, “VW T3 / T25 / Vanagon - Windscreen Washer Jet Upgrade”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6ALL-9LhZM
3 Nozzle Washer Jet VW T2 Bay 1967–1979 VW T25 / T3 1979–1992 & Brazilian Bays
https://www.justkampers.com.au/vw-t2-bay-window-pa...-bays.html
https://www.justkampers.com/vw-t2-bay-window-parts...-bays.html
They seem to be available more widely on British E-bay, at considerably reduced costs.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004939953835.h...25e5adba8a
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144660948843?chn=ps&...303181eeb0
I can see this going the way of multiple-blade razors. How about FIVE nozzles?! |
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| NASkeet |
Tue Aug 20, 2024 1:40 pm |
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KTPhil wrote: NASkeet wrote: I am aware from the following topic thread, that bodywork-mounted, windscreen-washer units, having TWO washer-jet nozzles, as fitted to some or all 1980~82 VW Transporter T3 (i.e. VW Vanagon in USA parlance!?!), have been used to improve the washer-fluid distribution over the front windscreen glass of a 1968~79 VW Type 2.
Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > Windshield washer dual sprayer nozzle upgrade!
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=554391
Whilst I was searching the Australian & British Internet websites of Just Kampers, to determine the current availability or otherwise, of RHD – right-hand drive configuration, front windscreen-wiper arms, for the Australian assembled, 1968~79 VW Type 2s, I stumbled upon alternative bodywork-mounted, windscreen-washer units, having THREE washer-jet nozzles as follows:
Windscreen Wiper Arms (Pair) for VW T2 Bay (Fits Australian Built Vans Only)
https://www.justkampers.com.au/vw-t2-bay-window-pa...-only.html
James Akers, “VW T3 / T25 / Vanagon - Windscreen Washer Jet Upgrade”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6ALL-9LhZM
3 Nozzle Washer Jet VW T2 Bay 1967–1979 VW T25 / T3 1979–1992 & Brazilian Bays
https://www.justkampers.com.au/vw-t2-bay-window-pa...-bays.html
https://www.justkampers.com/vw-t2-bay-window-parts...-bays.html
They seem to be available more widely on British E-bay, at considerably reduced costs.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004939953835.h...25e5adba8a
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144660948843?chn=ps&...303181eeb0
I can see this going the way of multiple-blade razors. How about FIVE nozzles?!
I vaguely recall these barbarian devices called razors, but have never attempted to use one since circa 1976/77! On the few occasions that I tried one, it left my face feeling raw & sore for at least a whole day afterwards. Since then, I have simply resorted to trimming my full-face beard with scissors every few months, which has probably saved me a king's ransom over the years! :D
So far as windscreen washers are concerned, who knows how many nozzles might ultimately be accommodated in a single housing!?! I still favour my Swedish made, SVD/SWW super wash wipers with perforated, hollow windscreen-wiper blades, or clip-on wiper-arm mounted windscreen washer-jet housings.
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| NASkeet |
Sat Sep 21, 2024 12:08 pm |
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airschooled wrote: Damn. Here in America people just smoke their electronic pot pens and drive with kids in the back seat. The only thing inspected is their text message inbox.
All of that will change for the better, once direct colonial rule from Westminster is re-established and more than two centuries worth of back taxes are paid. :D |
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| NASkeet |
Fri Dec 27, 2024 7:44 am |
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A British 1979 VW 1600 Type 2 Viking Spacemaker motor-caravan with a retro-fitted rear-window wiper
About 2½ months ago, in mid-October 2024, I found a link in another topic thread to the following topic initiated in early-July 2010 by Ian in MALTA, about his British, RHD 1979 VW 1600 Type 2 Viking Spacemaker motor-caravan, which by chance featured a conventional rear-window wiper, that seems to have been retro-fitted by the motor-caravan converter - Motorhomes International in Stanbridge, Bedfordshire, England; as indicated by the list of extra-cost options.
Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > 1979 Super Viking Space Maker conversion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=421523
Rear-window wiper & washer-jet, on a 1979 VW Type 2 Viking Spacemaker
Rear-window washer reservoir on a 1979 VW Type 2 Viking Spacemaker
Possible official Viking options list, including rear-window wiper
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| NASkeet |
Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:28 am |
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NASkeet wrote: Earlier today, I stumbled upon the following topic thread, which included a link to the following illustration on the website of Ronald Schmidt
Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > Identify this Swedish part
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=673346
https://www.ronsc.de
www.vwpix.org/T2/Prospekte/1977_00_Tillbehoer_VW_Transportbilar/.tmp/Seite05.jpg.html
Item 15 – BAKRUTETORKARE [T 70 00 00] – Nigel’s note: rear-window wiper, as deduced from picture
Alla dellar till bakrutetorkaren ligger väl skyddade, så att lasten inte kan skade konstruktionen. Med parallelkopplad spolning. Passar fr o m -68 t o m -75
Translates as:
Item 15 - REAR WINDOW WIPER [T 70 00 00]
All dells for the rear window wiper are well protected, so that the load cannot damage the structure. With parallel flushing. Suitable from -68 to -75
Item 17 – STRÅLKASTARTORKARE [T 70 02 25] – Nigel’s note: headlamp wipers & low-pressure headlamp washers, as deduced from picture
För VW Transporter med 12V El-System t o m -73. I satsen ingår alla detaljer för monteringen. Monteringensanvisning medföljer
Translates as:
Item 17 – HEADLAMP WIPERS [T 70 02 25]
For VW Transporter with 12V El-System up to -73. The kit includes all the details for the assembly. Mounting instructions included
It shows shows a rear-window wiper similar if not identical to those previously seen on other Swedish specification 1968~79 VW Type 2s, plus headlamp wipers which I have not previously known even existed!
Almost two years ago, I stumbled across a website link in another topic thread on the forum, which was to the second page of a Swedish VW Transporter accessories leaflet.
I have since downloaded that image into The Samba Gallery for posterity:
Page 2 of an undated, archived Swedish automotive accessories leaflet, pertaining to 1968~79 VW Type 2 Transporters.
Illustrated items 15 & 17 in the right-hand bottom corner of the page, described in Swedish, pertain to an accessory rear-window wiper & front headlamp wiper system respectively.
The descriptions translate into English as follows:
Item 15 - REAR WINDOW WIPER [T 70 00 00] All dells for the rear window wiper are well protected, so that the load cannot damage the structure. With parallel flushing. Suitable from -68 to -75
Item 17 - HEADLAMP WIPERS [T 70 02 25] For VW Transporter with 12V El-System up to -73. The kit includes all the details for the assembly. Mounting instructions included
It shows a rear-window wiper, similar if not identical to those previously seen, on other Swedish specification 1968~79 VW Type 2s, plus 12V electric headlamp-lens wipers which I had not previously known even existed!
Has anyone ever seen any 1968~73 VW Type 2s equipped with headlamp-lens wipers like these? I wonder whether the wiper-blades somehow flex to the opposite curvature, as they cross over half way, to completely wipe the other lens halves!?!
Swedish 1973~79 VW Type 2 with a retro-fitted rear-window wiper
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| NASkeet |
Sat Apr 19, 2025 12:53 pm |
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NASkeet wrote: A British 1979 VW 1600 Type 2 Viking Spacemaker motor-caravan with a retro-fitted rear-window wiper
About 2½ months ago, in mid-October 2024, I found a link in another topic thread to the following topic initiated in early-July 2010 by Ian in MALTA, about his British, RHD 1979 VW 1600 Type 2 Viking Spacemaker motor-caravan, which by chance featured a conventional rear-window wiper, that seems to have been retro-fitted by the motor-caravan converter - Motorhomes International in Stanbridge, Bedfordshire, England; as indicated by the list of extra-cost options.
Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > 1979 Super Viking Space Maker conversion
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=421523
Rear-window washer reservoir on a 1979 VW Type 2 Viking Spacemaker
If this was a rear-window washer-reservoir installation by Motorhomes International in Stanbridge, Bedfordshire, England, I am decidedly unimpressed by the design or workmanship.
If they wanted to install a rear window-washer-reservoir in the rear of the passenger-cabin, in preference to the engine-compartment, it would have been better to create one of bespoke shape, to maximise neatness & fluid-capacity and locate it rearward of the spare-wheel or within the spare-wheel, to minimise intrusion into the passenger-space.
Even if one didn't create a bespoke window-washer-reservoir, there were better choices which could have been made, from those which were readily available or even a better mounting of the one that was used. :shock: :? :cry:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/127013883662?chn=ps&...7cf87a36d0 |
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| NASkeet |
Sat May 24, 2025 10:16 am |
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Yet another 1968~79 VW Type 2 with a cross-over-arm, pantograph rear-window wiper! :D 8)
On Saturday, 24th May 2025, I saw a rescreening of Series 2, Episode 10, of the television series Shed & Buried: Classic Cars, presented by Henry Cole & "Fuzz" Townsend, on Quest - Freeview Channel 12, during which they visited Stuart in Abergavenny, Wales, where they purchased an Austin A35 van, a BSA Bantam 175 motorcycle and a Rayleigh Grifter bicycle.
https://tveveryday.com/shed-buried-classic-cars-season-2-episode-10-airs-may-19-2025-on-quest/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsVFt6WpCQ4
https://tv24.co.uk/b/swr7g0-2c9a
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shed-Buried-Classic-Cars-Season/dp/B0DZF5QQXP
Also clearly visible during the first few minutes of the programme, was an orange, 1973~79 VW Type 2 Kombi, retro-fitted with a cross-over-arm, pantograph rear-window wiper (clearly identified whilst using the television's freeze-frame facility), which was fitted immediately below the bulge of the rear hatch.
This appeared to be of the type that was factory-fitted to the Vauxhall Mk.1 estate-car, and installed on the VW Type 2's rear hatch, in the same or similar manner to that of Brian Rawlings, (a fellow member of the VW Type 2 Owners' Club, from Keynsham, Bristol, England), who retro-fitted one in 1997 to his own 1968~79 VW Type 2 Devon motor-caravan, after reading my article in the October 1996 issue of Transporter Talk magazine, whose installation appeared as follows:
Brian Rawlings' 1968~79 VW Type 2 Devon motor-caravan
Cross-over-arm, pantograph window wipers are not uniquely used as the rear-window wipers of the early-1980s vintage Vauxhall Chevette & Astra Mk.1 estate-cars (i.e. station-wagons in USA parlance!?!). They are also used as one of the front windscreen wipers used on the Triumph Stag sports-car, derived from the Triumph 2000 Mk.1 saloon-car (i.e. sedan in USA parlance!?!).
Triumph Stag front windscreen-wiper system
https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GRID005319
Triumph Stag
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_Stag
The Triumph Stag's dashboard instrument panel, is of very similar layout to the replacement instrument panel awaiting substitution into the Triumph Dolomite 1500/1850 HL dashboard in my 1974 Triumph Toledo 1300 "HL Special"; except that mine will have a 105 mm speedometer, 105 mm tachometer, seven gauges and a 60 mm 8-segment warning-light cluster. :D 8)
Triumph Stag's interior, dashboard & instrument-panel
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1974_Triumph_Stag_-_Flickr_-_The_Car_Spy_(10).jpg
Triumph Dolomite 1850's dashboard & instrument-panel
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