wiper problem...ALMOST fixed

[davidharvey]

Just looked at mine and it's the same as yours. Two relays one on the left & one in the middle. Looking at the circuit diagram in the Haynes the power comes through fuse ten to the switch, and then three wires go to the motor. If one speed works then the problem is in the supply between the switch and the motor, or the motor itself.

Thanks for that. Faulty motor has crossed my mind. The 3 wires to motor is interesting, I seem to think there were only 2....this could be the problem, maybe a wire has detatched itself from the block (or maybe there were 3, its a couple of days now since i changed it)

[billy739]

please read my above posts

your bus does NOT have intermittent wipers!
your bus is NOT wired for intermittent
your bus does NOT need the 19 or 99 relay!
no 19 and 99 relays are ONLY fitted to buses with intermittent wipers!

if you want to fit intermittent wipers then thats a different thing.....

[davidharvey]

please read my above posts

your bus does NOT have intermittent wipers!
your bus is NOT wired for intermittent
your bus does NOT need the 19 or 99 relay!
no 19 and 99 relays are ONLY fitted to buses with intermittent wipers!

if you want to fit intermittent wipers then thats a different thing.....

I know all this....I want my wipers to work as they should, ie slow speed and fast speed.

[billy739]

the relay will not speed up the wipers.

there may be a poor earth

or the motor is worn or the spindles are seized causing slow speed.

the different speeds in the motor or created by having 3 brush settings on the armeature ,
so 12v is always supplied, but similar to an engine where turning the dizzy can slow the engine.

both feeds are direct 12v from the switch and an earth from the motor.

[davidharvey]

the relay will not speed up the wipers.
I know relay is basically a switch, however a search of the forum sees all sorts of bizarre problems caused by faulty relays, thus causing it to be a suspect. Switch is also another possibility
there may be a poor earth
the slow speed works fine, fast doesnt work at all, surely both would be slower, same as it was before it stopped working entirely until I changed the motor
or the motor is worn or the spindles are seized causing slow speed.
New motor fitted,and spindles fine
the different speeds in the motor or created by having 3 brush settings on the armeature ,
new motor could be faulty, but I think its something else as to swap one poorly motor for another would be unusual
so 12v is always supplied, but similar to an engine where turning the dizzy can slow the engine.

both feeds are direct 12v from the switch and an earth from the motor.
Got to get a meter onto it tomorrow if weather is good

I was sure someone would have had a similar problem before and know the answer straight off.

Recap......

Wipers worked slowly when we first got the van (on both settings, fast was slower than slow should be , slow was almost not working at all)
Wipers stopped working, fuse was OK, suspected motor
Changed motor
Wipers working as they should on slow speed, well almost....do not park
Wipers DO NOT work on fast speed.
Wipers are two speed, no intermittent
Only 2 relays are in van, one is for indicators, other is in middle of 5 relay slots.

[BOXY]

It sounds like the wiper mechanism is creating too much friction for the motor to work at the right speed (or at all). With the motor disconnected check all the pivot points and spindles to see if any are stiff.

[Allanw]

Not parking makes it odd.

Sounds like a wiring issue.

the motor has 12V whenever the ignition is on, to park the wipers. pehaps the plug/socket is wired differently between the two units you swapped. Perhaps the current wiring only gives low speed and the others are incorrectly wired. Just a guess

[davidharvey]

Step forward anyone who said SWITCH.
Couldnt find my meter,so rigged up a test light using a number plate light from a mini.
Switch up one lights up the light on the normal speed wire, swap it to fast speed wire, switch to position 2....nothing!
Back onto other wire to make sure bulb isnt blown or anything....lights up.
Retry other one....Still nothing!

So, its the green and yellow wire, from switch to motor. Need to find the meter and make sure its not a break in this wire, if wire is good...then has to be switch.

Next question.....do I need the older 3 position switch (off, slow, fast) or will newer one be ok?

[kevtherev]

I notice you don't mention the column switch
if it's worn out it may need replacing
VW heretage can supply new column switches

Ahem...

[davidharvey]

I notice you don't mention the column switch
if it's worn out it may need replacing
VW heretage can supply new column switches

Ahem...

Well done Kev. Still dont understand how/why that caused all my problems, but live and learn.
Its says 1980-1991 for switch at VW Heritage, but is not the same as my switch, hence why I am asking if it will fit. I do not always trust suppliers,in fact when I thought it may be the relay I looked at a load of suppliers and most said that the 99 relay fitted.

[davidharvey]

Stripped down the switch and it was as filthy as a porn star convention in there. Cleaned it as best as I can and now the wipers self park, and I sometimes get fast speed. Waiting on switch cleaner coming, which I had coincidentally ordered for another project entirely, and hopefully will be sorted. Thanks to all who posted suggestions/help