Hello everyone. I've got a 79, and the wipers will sometimes refuse to turn off. I'll start the car with the wiper controls in the off position, but they'll just kick on. I can adjust the speed, but I can't shut them off!
I can get them to go off sometimes by shutting the car off when they return to the "resting" position(and wiper control in off position). My main way of dealing with it though is to just pull the fuse as I generally avoid driving the car if rain is in the forecast.
From scanning the forums I saw some talk of the "CPU" controlling the intermittent function of the wipers, does the 79 do this? and if so where is the CPU? I'm normally trying to figure out why something isn't turning on, this is definitely unique.
Thanks for any advice.

 

HERE is the Parts Book diagram showing the wipe intermittent relay...*
Under the dash, against driver side wall above the hood release, near the fuse box...
Your 79 has the intermittent wiper IF:
-its a "GS" model
The wiper rotary switch will clearly have FOUR positions:
-OFF
-INT
-speed 1
-speed 2

*Sorry, tried to upload image of page, but NEW UPLOADER provided here does not seem to be accepting my image
Moderators??

Stu Aull
80GS
AK>AZ

 

So...I don't think I have intermittent wipers.
I have 2 offs though? as in it can be turned both directions from the off position
- OFF
- OFF with a white dot next to the position on the stick
- Speed 1
- Speed 2
And of course now that I just got the car inspected this morning, everything is working fine again, although when the mechanic went to start the car and pull it into the garage the wipers did cycle once on their own, but thankfully no other hiccups. So on the bright side I have a year to troubleshoot this, downside(sorta), its working now so I can't troubleshoot it. I'm sure it'll come back, this isn't the first time its done it, and I've had the fuse out for such a long time I'm sure it'll be back. I've got an original 79 FSM so I'll start identifying the stuff under the dash to figure out which is the wiper relay that's sticking on.

 

Let me simplify this a little:
If you have a 5-speed RX7, then it comes WITH intermittent wipers

The relay is one of 3 or 4 clustered under the dash as I noted, tho I have no way to add a photo here that might assist.
The FSM electrics diagrams will ID the color coded wires and connector so you could ID it by what harness connection is plugged into it under there.

Stu Aull
80GS
AZ>AK

 

Alrighty, tracked it down. Basically my wiring diagrams said to look for a bunch of blue wires(well blue with different stripes). Unplugged it and voila, wipers don't operate on their own...and to my surprise still actually work through the column stalk. Only difference is they do not automatically return to the "home" position, which I think I can live with.

1979 RX-7



Thanks for the advice.