82 vanagon wiper switch

[motomike33y]

I've thought about that, but with connections to the relay, there isn't a direct connection in the switch between power and the motor, so if the relay isn't working right, there would be no power going to the motor via the switch?

[motomike33y]

correct.  however I don't think that vw wiring is necessarily a follower of linear logic.  Where is the x relay?  I see it on my Bentley's wiring diagram, but of course there is no location listed.  It is not one of the relays by the fuses.  Nothing seems to work, so I'm continuing to experiment, and try different switches.  I haven't yet taken the one off my other vanagon to try-I'm not sure it works, tho I could try checking with a battery.

[motomike33y]

Thanks.  I on the other hand claim no particular electrical expertise, so I try to track via the wiring diagram, but usually go thru trial and error until I I get something to work.

[Quantum TD]

This info might help you. I just worked on a 1984 Gasser Vanagon with what was presumed to be a bad headlight switch, as the lights did not work.  Well, a new switch solved nothing and I had to ferret under the dash and all the aftermarkets wires for all the crap this guy had mounted to his dash (AC, Tach, radio, clock, etc).

Anyways, I had the fuse/relay panel down and could not figure out the problem, but I knew it was a grounding issue.  Well, while fiddling with the fuse panel, I noticed some loose wires. Turns out the terminal ends on ALL of the ground connectors that mount to the A-pillar on the driver's side of the car, had become brittle and cracked. Most had slipped off the round, multi-terminal grounding cups. So, I put on all new OEM terminal ends, and everything works like a dream now.

I'd venture to say that one or more of the grounds is loose. Also, be sure that the GROUND terminal on the horn-ring (turn signal switch) is getting ground. The lower center screw on the turn/wiper switch assy. has a ground point on the backsixde that grounds to the ignition switch housing. I've seen that little tab pop out of the turn signal assy.  Make sure you have the whole assy mounted and screwed in place, or you won't get a ground.

Good luck

[motomike33y]

Problem solved.  Relay in #3 spot, voltage reduction relay was bad.  Found 4 or 5 old ones I had around in some odds and ends.  put the first one in, and could hear/feel the relay clicking when I turned on the ignition switch and turned on the wiper.  also the heater fan now works.  I looked over the wiring on my Bentleys and saw they were inter-connected(as someone else suggested)  this must be the X-relay they mentioned.