BrainSTORMING...how can I make the windshield wipers faster?
09-13-09, 08:00 AM
#27
wow this saves me time from making a new thread... i was just on my way to work, AND YES I HAD RAIN X ON THE CAR, but there was traffic on the high way and i was going to slow for most of the rain to bead off. here is a video of how slow mine go on the fastest setting.. seems like its my slowest setting.. its been a decent time since i used them..
So is it the motor going or any ideas?
So is it the motor going or any ideas?
09-13-09, 02:37 PM
#30
Good news: at this point I think there's a pretty good chance that the FC wiper motor could be made to work. Unlike the pitiful FD wiper motor, the FC wiper motor is as good as the wiper motors on any typical car you would drive. The FC motors also rarely fail and I'm sure could be had cheaply off any nonturbo car through the classifieds section on this forum. I think I have the wiring figured out but I'm not sure yet exactly how much trouble the swap will be in terms of mounting.
The electrical connectors are exactly the same:
FD harness plug is at the top, FC harness plug (from a junk FC engine harness I have) is below it. I actually went and plugged the FC plug right into the FD motor, so I know the plugs are interchangeable. But I can see from the diagrams that the FD wiper harness plug will have to be repinned.
FD circuit diagram:
FC circuit diagram (87-88 shown, 89-91 is basically the same):
The L/Y and L/G wires/pins on the FD harness plug will have to be swapped. The L/Y is for intermittent function of the wipers, and the L/G is fused ignition switch power. The L/B and L/W also look like they need to be repinned/swapped as well. The FC wiring diagrams for this system are less clear than the FD's, so if anyone disagrees let me know. So here is what I'm thinking:
I don't have a spare FC wiper motor for further testing. I also don't think the mounting is exactly the same. The FC has 4 mounting bolts. Does the FD have 4? I could only see three when I looked at my friend's car, but with all the crap in that engine bay it was hard to tell.
The electrical connectors are exactly the same:
FD harness plug is at the top, FC harness plug (from a junk FC engine harness I have) is below it. I actually went and plugged the FC plug right into the FD motor, so I know the plugs are interchangeable. But I can see from the diagrams that the FD wiper harness plug will have to be repinned.
FD circuit diagram:
FC circuit diagram (87-88 shown, 89-91 is basically the same):
The L/Y and L/G wires/pins on the FD harness plug will have to be swapped. The L/Y is for intermittent function of the wipers, and the L/G is fused ignition switch power. The L/B and L/W also look like they need to be repinned/swapped as well. The FC wiring diagrams for this system are less clear than the FD's, so if anyone disagrees let me know. So here is what I'm thinking:
I don't have a spare FC wiper motor for further testing. I also don't think the mounting is exactly the same. The FC has 4 mounting bolts. Does the FD have 4? I could only see three when I looked at my friend's car, but with all the crap in that engine bay it was hard to tell.
09-14-09, 09:44 PM
#33
Where does this bolt go?
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If you want speed over what the factory system is designed to do, and don't want to change motors, increased voltage is the key. As you increase voltage to a dc motor the rpm will increase. You would need an adjustable voltage converter http://www.powerstream.com/ADC-p006.htm. You will need to find one that can handle the current draw of your application. This will also shorten the life of your wiper motor and possibly overheat it due to increased load/current draw. I would think 16 to 18 volts would be a very noticeable speed change over the standard 12 volts, but also be aware that your wipers electrical system was designed for a specific load. You may need to run heavier guage wire and use a relay to offset the current draw.
09-14-09, 11:01 PM
#34
Turd Ferguson
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I don't have a spare FC wiper motor for further testing. I also don't think the mounting is exactly the same. The FC has 4 mounting bolts. Does the FD have 4? I could only see three when I looked at my friend's car, but with all the crap in that engine bay it was hard to tell.
There are 4 bolts on the FD motor. You can see 3 of them in this picture but there's a fourth one on the lower right.
09-14-09, 11:24 PM
#35
I was thinking the same thing when I noticed mine start to slow...then finally fail all together. The only thing is David has already said that even when he bought his car brand spankin new they were slow. Im definitly interested to see about this FC wiper motor swap action.
09-15-09, 12:22 AM
#36
now I'm thinking that the mounting is very similar but I'd be surprised if the holes have the exact same spacing. The motor assemblies look almost the same though. It will be a while before I can even get started on an actual swap. if someone wants to pick up an FC wiper motor off the classifieds and give it a shot, go ahead. I already did one of the hardest parts, which was interpreting the wiring diagrams and hopefully figuring out the wiring.
09-16-09, 02:54 AM
#40
Turd Ferguson
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i'm pretty sure they're the same bolt pattern.. i just saw this thread in the Single forum and the FC window unit looks like the same bolting pattern as the FD wiper. *see post #17
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...13#post9498713
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...13#post9498713
10-25-09, 01:43 AM
#41
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my roller didnt come with a wiper motor so after reading this thread i went ahead and got an fc wiper motor the bolt pattern is the same as the FD the only difference is the attaching point to the wipers bar. The FD's bar has a clip looking thing and the FC has a bolt and a nut, im going to use grimple1's diagram to repin the plug and if it works ill post some pics
10-25-09, 02:01 AM
#42
I wish I could've made a video of it: I actually did an unscientific wiper motor "race" between my FC and my friend's FD, both with their respective stock wiper systems and over 100k on the clock. With both engines idling and wipers set to max, the FC was noticeably faster, although I'm not sure the difference could be described as night and day.
10-25-09, 06:25 AM
#44
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I don't think going to a FC motor or "upgrading" the motor is the answer. Think of power windows of an old car. They aren't as fast as when they were new. I didn't read the whole thread so I'm not sure what has been done.
We know FDs don't have the best electrical system. So I would start by cleaning electrical contacts and if possible upgrading the wiring. I would also clean all moving parts from the old grease and get all the grime off put new grease. This will reduce friction. If you really want to "upgrade" the electrical then an upgraded alternator should be consider. This will benefit the whole car (including headlight out put). Try those but don't just upgrade the motor, that is just a band-aid for the actual problem which is age/wear and tear.
If you really want to get a better wiper motor look here. You might need to get creative but it is a "upgrade". There is one that looks like a direct bolt on to the FD but not sure.
We know FDs don't have the best electrical system. So I would start by cleaning electrical contacts and if possible upgrading the wiring. I would also clean all moving parts from the old grease and get all the grime off put new grease. This will reduce friction. If you really want to "upgrade" the electrical then an upgraded alternator should be consider. This will benefit the whole car (including headlight out put). Try those but don't just upgrade the motor, that is just a band-aid for the actual problem which is age/wear and tear.
If you really want to get a better wiper motor look here. You might need to get creative but it is a "upgrade". There is one that looks like a direct bolt on to the FD but not sure.
Works for me every time!
10-25-09, 01:29 PM
#49
Think of power windows of an old car. They aren't as fast as when they were new.
We know FDs don't have the best electrical system. So I would start by cleaning electrical contacts and if possible upgrading the wiring.
I'd like to see how the FC wiper motor swap goes. If it works and it's not that hard to do, I think it will be a marginal improvement.
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