attomica

Okay, we all know our wiper switch is prone to failure. Mine will only work on the slow speed and will activate the washer spray. After I found a great write-up on the repair procedure, I decided to fix it myself instead of shelling out $80-$100 (on eBay) for another one. I ordered the proper relay from Digi-Key, #Z950-ND. I removed the wiper switch, I desoldered and removed the relay that's normally considered the cause of malfunction and I soldered in the new relay. I went out and plugged in the wiper switch, expecting to see fast speed wipers for the first time in six years and...nothing. It all behaves the same way it did before I did this "fix".

Anyone have any other suggestions? I'll have the wiper switch out for a while so I can investigate any ideas you guys may offer.

Thanks.

Icemark

there are actually a couple of things that can happen with the wiper switches.

#1 the relay fails

#2 the controller transistor fails

#3 the position switch in the motor fails

The #1 is the most common and requires replacement of relay number three in the below diagram:

This problem will be that the wipers only work when the switch is in the run position, but not in the high or intermittent positions.

When #2 occasionally happens; the symptom of that failure is that no matter what the switch position (except off) the wiper motor moves at the same speed. I haven't bothered to figure out which transistor is the problem yet. But replacing the switch should fix it at this time. Note the wiper motor will generally not return to the stop/down position if the switch is on the intermittent or high positions, and you will manually have to switch off the switch when the wiper motor is in the position that you want.

#3 acts just like #2 except that high speed generally works, but the wiper motor doesn't return to the off position when you switch off the switch.

attomica

That photo is from the same write-up I used. Relay #3 is the one I changed out. With regard to the symptoms, not only will it only work in the slow speed and operate the washer jets, but the wipers will return to the stop/down position when I turn the switch to the off or intermittent position. When the switch is turned to the fast position, the wipers just stop in whichever position they are in, up or down. Despite the hassle of not being able to use the intermittent or fast wipers, it's kind of handy to be able to stop them in the up position beacause it makes changing the wiper blades so much easier.

Unless someone has another, specific suggestion, I guess I'll have to break down and shell out for another switch. Oh well.

attomica

Anyone else?

seveninphilly

iTrader: (7)

if you want to give it a try pull the cover off relay #1

check to see if all the points are making contact, if they are give them a little shot of sand paper 250+ grit to clean the contacts. check to see if that worked if not replace the relay. or buy a new switch

goblues24

maybe clean the contacts on the actual; switch..that you rotate by hand during normal operation..last option is to correctly desolder all points on the board and resolder correctly..if nothing else..pay 5 bucks at a junkyard for a switch..if it dont work then put your new digikey relay inplace of old..again..your problem sounds more rare than the usual so chances are better you pick up a cheapy thet works..or has the normal flaw as opposed to your seemingly rare flaw..just my opinion

Icemark

Relay number one is for the rear wiper, and has nothing to do with operation of the front wiper

attomica

I'm glad you mentioned this. My switch doesn't have that relay (no wonder, I don't have a rear wiper) and I thought something may be wrong.