[Bob the brush]

I have a couple of niggling problem with my newly acquired '97 216 cabriolet, 1) the wipers work fine on the normal and fast settings, but on intermittent, they stop twice on the 'upstroke' at the mideway point and twice on the 'downstroke' is there an easy fix, or is it a replacement wiper motor? 2) the automatic areial does not extend, I have, with a bit of force, managed to pull it out about 1" allowing me to do a tempory fix with duck tape and an old areial, so I can use the radio. I have seen a repair kit for electric areials for sale on the bay, consisting of the mast and the nylon tracking, has anbody had any success with this kit, or is it a whole areial replacement. Also, are the tiny illumination bulbs available for the push fog light and demister switches? I thank you in advance.

[GTiJohn]

If the wipers don't stick on the other 2 settings it's unlikely to be the mechanism, leaving the control system within the super body as the probable cause.

Getting the wiper body out isn't the biggest job and I think it's pretty easy to get inside but then you've got to work out of it's just contamination, and fixable, or it's worn and needs replacing. Replacements are usually available on eBay and it's the same parties the later R3 200s to give you a wider choice.

If your aerial is sticking and cleaning with penetrating oil hasn't worked then one of these replacements is worth a try. I'm sure I did one while back but honestly can't remember now... Someone on here might have a spare

The small bulbs are available and somebody will probably put a handy link on here shortly

Good luck with your jobs

[Johnny 216GSi]

I've never had one of those switch bulbs out, but at a guess they are actually wire-ended and the wires are formed around the round plastic carriers you see on the switch body. So a further guess is that you insert a flat-blade screwdriver into the slot on the carrier and give it about a quarter turn so it pops out. Then it's a matter of finding a replacement 12v wire-ended bulb. Normally a search using "3mm" or "5mm" and then "12 bulb" will get you a few links, and Ebay might be the way to go. Some people also refer to them as "grain of wheat" bulbs, but be careful of the body size. You want the largest one that will fit and be the brightest, so you do see the illumination again.

3mm and 5mm bulbs are sometimes referred to as "T3" and "T5". I've just searched on Ebay for "T3 12v bulb" on Ebay and you do find wire-ended types listed along with interesting items such as those at the below link, which seem to come on a plastic carrier. I wonder if any of these would be a direct fit without having to actually re-use the old plastic carrier and form the leads around in the correct way:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12pcs-12V-T3 ... 1465027003
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12pcs-12V-T3 ... 2301773023

I've yet to do this on a few switches in my car, so if I find out which ones you need to use I'll report back here...

[Bob the brush]

Thanks. I can live with the wipers for the time being and will wait for a nice warm summer day to sort them out. I have ordered a repair kit for the areial as I can take that 'down the shed' and work on that in the dry and warm. I will report back in due course. I will get some bulbs now I know what to look for. Thanks again all. Cheers

[RoverTD]

Rimmers list the bulbs in the holders https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-GRID003240

[JonWood1982]

Hi Bob the Brush - sorry to grab hold of your post from two years ago, but I have the same fault with the windscreen wipers and the car has failed it's MOT due to it.

Did you manage to fix it or was a replacement required?

I am asking as I have looked for a replacement and finding one is looking quite difficult so far!

Hopefully your still on this forum & enjoying your cabriolet. Even though it's winter and a second car for me, it is still used 11-12 months of the year

Jon