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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: motomike33y on June 16, 2010, 09:52:17 pm
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wiper switch quit on my vanagon. took it off and don't see any obvious problems. wiper motor works when I jump it. Have a couple other switches from jetta and rabbit of same vintage. numbers different but look identical to vanagon--however they don't work either-no obvious reasons. New switch for vanagon about triple that for rabbit. Why? Anything I can do to try rehabbing switch? all three switches have same basic #321953503, but different suffixes. vanagon "A", other 2 are B and C. Suggestions, tips? thanks.
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try a new wiper relay
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Where would that be at? I don't have my Bentley's here to check. thanks
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For an 82, it shows that it's the one on the r/s of the relay panel, position 5
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found it, and in Bentleys it's shown as only being needed for intermittent switch wiper. I located several other relays in my piles of electrical goodies. There must be a way to test the relay to see if its any good. Also if its only needed for the intermittent phase, the wipers would work on regular high or low without the relay wouldn't they? thanks.
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Try it anyways. Until the mid 90's ,wiper circuits were the most complicated wiring in VW's
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tried all of my collection of used relays, none of them made any of my collection of used wiper switches work-guess next step is to try parts place.
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I'm sure i have a god used one if you want, just postage and a buck or 2 would cover it. let me know.
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I can jump from the hot wire to other connectors to get the wiper and washer to work, so the motor is ok. I checked the fuses and they all appear ok-altho they are the old old style so I may replace them just on general principle. I think I'm going to try to take apart one of the switches because they appear to be a simple matter of sliding contacts. I can't see visually any difference between the 3 switches I have that have the same number but different suffixes.
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yes, using the connections that would ordinarily be hooked to the wiper switch.
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yep, and while I was fiddling and trying relays, I must have flummoxed something because now the starter won't work--again. good thing I wasn't planning on having to use the vehicle immediately.
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Maybe the X [75] relay is gone. Does the heater fan work?
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I don't think it does, altho that also has been inconsistent. Something else I should check out? How does the heater fan tie into the starter and/or windshield wiper switch?
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The starter issue does confuse things, but maybe it's just the starter. The x relay powers all the functions that pull current when starting-i.e.- interior fan, wipers some lights etc. It's important to check that when the wipers don't work whether the fan etc is/isn't working
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I'll have to check that relay out when I get a chance. I think maybe some other factor for starter-perhaps I moved wires when fiddling with the relay and fuse box for the wiper switch. When I get a chance, I'll check things more thoroughly.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.