i need help. my wiper switch only works on low. my car did not come with rear wipers so not concerned about that type of switch. i heard someone say it could just be the relay. what relay? how to and how much to replace or fix.


thanks

 

Almost certainly the relays are the cause.
There's 3 of 'em and it would pay to replace all 3. I had problems with my wiper switch too and it's been 100% since I changed them a year ago.
The problem is that the circuit board needs to be unsoldered and removed to access the relays and this is NOT a job for the inexperienced. Give it to a good tech with electric, vacuum desoldering gear as the board has plated through holes (vias) which makes desoldering difficult. The relays are Omron types and can be purchased through your Omron relay dealer although the replacements will be equivalents. The tech should also check and resolder any suspect solder joints after refitting the board. It'll probably cost you around $100 or so to do the job.

 

Go to www.fc3s.com
You can send your switch to them and they will replace the front and rear relay for 45 bucks. That covers return shipping also. A helluva lot better than paying 400 or so for a new one. Good Luck. Rob

 

Another option, which is FREE and much easier, is to remove the switch, and cut the cover off the relays on the board. You then use some fine sandaper and clean the contacts on the relays. This has a really good chance of fixing the porblem, but not always. Also check for crack solders on the board. put a dab of switch lubricant on the contact, glue the cover back on, and hopefully it works. If it doesn't, then the coil in the relay is probably burnt out, rqeuiring a new relay. Then you do what the other posts recommend.

 

Yes, it's cheap, but given that the reason for the relays not working in the first place is contact pitting and wear of the contact plating material, further abrasion of the contacts simply increases the gap between them making a LESS reliable contact when the relay pulls in. Not only that but you would also eliminate what contact plating is left and leave the contact surfaces wide open to oxidation....

I'm a firm believer in "do it once and do it right" !!

 

thanks for the suggestions. i'll weigh my options and decide which is best.

 

go here
http://2ndgenrx7.freeservers.com/techmaster.html

go to technical info then to the how to's