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windsheild wiper problems

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Old Jul 26, 2002 | 11:36 PM
  #1  
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From: Jacksonville, FL
windsheild wiper problems

For some reason that I can't figure out, my MIST, INT, and II settings on my windsheild wipers don't work, leaving me with only the I setting. Any ideas as to why the other settings don't work and how I can fix it? Thanks!
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Old Jul 26, 2002 | 11:39 PM
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Pull the switch and take it to an electronics shop to be inspected and repaired. The contacts inside the switch may have worn down, something may have had a melt-down or it may be the old RX-7 standard of shitty soldering. You'll have the switch back quickly and cheaply, as opposed to forking out hundreds for an OEM one...
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 12:23 AM
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From what I understand, this is simply a relay that has gone bad. Take a look at this website. Might help you some.

Good luck.

http://fc3s-pro.com/TECH/HOWTO/WIPER/wiper.html
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 12:35 AM
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From: Jacksonville, FL
thanks, I'll check that relay tomorrow.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 12:57 AM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Bad relay in the wiper switch, replace relay #3.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 01:01 AM
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What about if your wipers won't turn off? Is that a relay problem as well?
(currently if I plug in my windsheild wiper motor it will just keep going and going and going and the switch does nothing)
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 01:03 AM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by NixxoN
What about if your wipers won't turn off? Is that a relay problem as well?
(currently if I plug in my windsheild wiper motor it will just keep going and going and going and the switch does nothing)
Either the relay is stuck on or the switch is jammed
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 01:06 AM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by Amur_
Pull the switch and take it to an electronics shop to be inspected and repaired. The contacts inside the switch may have worn down, something may have had a melt-down or it may be the old RX-7 standard of shitty soldering. You'll have the switch back quickly and cheaply, as opposed to forking out hundreds for an OEM one...
Amur's answer here is wrong. The relay failure is common. The switch contacts almost never wear down.

The relay contacts get dirty and the relay fails.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 01:58 AM
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the wiper problem is very common! i've had to replace mine and so has a friend of mine. check your local junkyards.......i got mine for $15
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 08:59 AM
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From: Kitchener, Ontario (Hamilton's armpit)
Originally posted by Icemark


Amur's answer here is wrong. The relay failure is common. The switch contacts almost never wear down.

The relay contacts get dirty and the relay fails.
I was thinking of the contacts in the headlight switch, and assumed that the components in the wiper switch would be similar. The contacts in my 1st headlight switch did wear down. Found out the hard way while delivering pizza one night. The contacts could not, according to the fellow who inspected the switch, be replaced. I got a used switch to replace it.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 11:41 AM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by Amur_
I was thinking of the contacts in the headlight switch, and assumed that the components in the wiper switch would be similar. The contacts in my 1st headlight switch did wear down. Found out the hard way while delivering pizza one night. The contacts could not, according to the fellow who inspected the switch, be replaced. I got a used switch to replace it.
If the contacts in the switch went, you would get one setting malfuctioning or all the settings malfunctioning. You would not get 2 or three settings malfunctioning.

BTW zelgadiss-san, you may wish to also search next time, as this problem is common and has been covered quite a few times.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 01:17 PM
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I'd do the new relay swap in lieu of one out of a wrecking yard. I went thru at least two out of a wreck yard before getting smart enough to just replace the relay.

And ICEMARK, what are you doing with a rear wiper relay in yours. Don't you have a convertible????? humor.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 01:33 PM
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Go to this thread https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=35372 for part numbers and other vital information. Icemark and Asherwood seem to be the key people on wipers. I've fixed two and made a royal mess out of my third spare one(way toooo much heat and sloppy soldering). There is a guy on http://www.fc3s.org who will repair them. Icemark has made the same offer before.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 01:39 PM
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From: 80* >
The electronics in FCs are Own3d !
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 02:08 PM
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Or the penultimate thread, try this one with good part numbers and prices: https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...threadid=48605
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 04:12 PM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by HAILERS
And ICEMARK, what are you doing with a rear wiper relay in yours. Don't you have a convertible????? humor.
Not an actual picture of mine... and mine I cut the extra opening straight across.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 04:16 PM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by HAILERS
There is a guy on http://www.fc3s.org who will repair them. Icemark has made the same offer before.
Yeah, I am all out of cores right now, but I can repair one sent to me for about $20 + shipping back to you.
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Old Jul 27, 2002 | 04:21 PM
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That is more than just a good deal on the twenty bucks and shipping. Where was this guy when I needed him!
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Old Jul 28, 2002 | 11:28 PM
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Originally posted by HAILERS
That is more than just a good deal on the twenty bucks and shipping. Where was this guy when I needed him!
that's what I'm thinking
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Old Jul 29, 2002 | 08:21 PM
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Originally posted by Icemark


Either the relay is stuck on or the switch is jammed
How do I fix either of these problem?
I took apart my switch and I don't have a Relay #3 that is in that photograph, I don't even have a relay 1... just a 2... damn GX :P
I can turn the switch just fine, and the part the switch is connected to is turning as well so i dunno...
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Old Jul 29, 2002 | 10:04 PM
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Icemark, I have the same symptoms; no mist, intermittent or high speed, plus they won’t park on their own. I replaced that relay as per the TeamFC3S write-up but it made zero difference. Convertible wiper switches are as rare as rocking horse droppings over here, so I need to repair it. Any ideas?
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 01:00 AM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by NixxoN
How do I fix either of these problem?
I took apart my switch and I don't have a Relay #3 that is in that photograph, I don't even have a relay 1... just a 2... damn GX :P
I can turn the switch just fine, and the part the switch is connected to is turning as well so i dunno...
Are you sure you don't have relay number three? It may be hidden behind the plastic, if the switch has not been repaired in the past.

Coupes without the rear wiper and 'verts will not have relay number 1.

If you can see the circuit board and the relay is really not there, that would be your problem, although I would be curious on how the wipers worked even in the low position.
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 01:01 AM
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From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by NZConvertible
Icemark, I have the same symptoms; no mist, intermittent or high speed, plus they won’t park on their own. I replaced that relay as per the TeamFC3S write-up but it made zero difference. Convertible wiper switches are as rare as rocking horse droppings over here, so I need to repair it. Any ideas?
Let me dig up my schematics in the morning and see what else you might look for
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 01:06 AM
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Are you sure you don't have relay number three? It may be hidden behind the plastic, if the switch has not been repaired in the past.
So how exactly do I take the plastic off? just break it... or....
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Old Jul 30, 2002 | 01:15 AM
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n/m I figured it out.. I went with the flathead screwdriver heated on a stove technique :P
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