Intermittant Wiper Problem need advice
 

Hellow all. Having a promblem with the intermittant wiper function on my 75 911. When I activate the round switch on the dash to operate the intermittant wipers nothing happens. Here is what I know.
1. The fuse for this circuit is good and not blown
2. The intermittant wiper relay appears to work You can here it click. I took the outer cover off and the points will open and close and different speeds in relation to the position of the round switch on the dash
3. All of the other 3 wiper speeds work with the column mounted switch
4. The wiper motor is new.
5. I also noticed that the wipers will not "park" themselves back in the original position. Any advice here? Thanks Bill

If the wipers won't park and you have to manually have to park them try this, push the wiper lever forward as you turn off the wipers, if they park, keep holding pressure on the lever and activate the intermittent switch, if they work, then the contacts in the wiper switch in the steering post needs adjustment. Remove the plastic trim and look at the contact arms and adjust them by bending the one that is not making contact. ensure there clean and button it up. and the fix is free!

My moneys on the relay, even if it clicks! It's normally the last part people want to check and replace, as it's the most difficult to replace as it's located behind the fresh air blower.

The round switch on the dash will NOT work if the wipers don't properly park. Do what James suggested! I'd put money on dirty or mis-adjusted contacts in the steering column.

I got that trick from John Walker.....thank him!

My 85 does exactly what you describe and I'd like to try your fix. Can you give a few more details about the location and look of the contacts you mention? Any details would be helpful and appreciated.

Manitop, did you do the troubleshooting steps in post #2?

Yes, my wipers are behaving as in post #2 and I want to look at the "contacts in the steering column" but not sure what I'm looking for, or where to find it. I'm not afraid to just start pulling stuff apart, but I thought a few more specifics might save some mis-steps. Thanks,

Take off your steering wheel. Remove the 2 piece plastic cover below the steering column and you will see the switch for the wipers.

yes then (power on) look at the contacts of the wipers, you'll underatand when you look at it, turn the wipers on and off, after they stop push the stalk forward and see what contact is made to park the wipers. Turn off the power and adjust the contact a little and retry, repeat as nessary. Clean the contacts with solvent and/or a little fine grit sandpaper.

I know I've read a few posts that say that cleaning the switch in the steering column fixed wiper problems. However, if the wipers don't park, that seems like a different issue. The park connection is made in the wiper motor with a small disk. Terminal 53a is a red wire with +12 volts to it all the time. Terminal 53e is a blue wire that parks the wipers at the slow speed. The internal disk connects 53a and 53e sending power to the blue wire until the internal disk rotates to a break.

Check if you are getting power to the blue wire at the motor (behind the gauges). I bet you are not getting power there.

Yes Walt, this procedure only is for the symptom of wipers work but don't park unless you push the wiper stalk forward. meaning the contacts in the wiper switch are not contacting.
If the above procedure does not "fix" it, than yes check into other problems. This test is quick and easy.

So thats what that buttom is for. I guess it doesnt work on my car either.

Greek55, you might have a different problem, do the wipers park when turned off? if they do, it might be in the intermittent switch. (did you look at the price of these units?).

My wipers work and park fine but the intermittent functionality is non existent......
James I saw the price of a new switch and fell of the settee...sorry, it's a sofa or a couch in this country isn't it?

Any other theories anyone? Is there a way to test the ptoentiometer/rheostat?

Neil

Its more like a timer than a rheostat. Did you check the wires on the rear of the unit? With the intermittant switch on, push the wiper lever forward, does that activate the wipers?

I had a non-parking wiper and no intermittent operation. All I had to do was take the steering column clamshell off and get a cue-tip in there to clean the contacts and it was fixed. If that doesn't do it you have to take the multifunction switch out to bend the contacts. If the wipers park but you don't have the delay then that's a horse of a different color.
P.S. This has been covered before. I learned how to fix it by doing a search. The search button is your friend.