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Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:19 pm

I'm gauging interest in a conversion kit from air pressure windshield washers to an electronic pump. Being a reuse it kind of guy, I would like to offer this kit out of the highest quality used parts. Kit would come with a VDO washer motor, switch activated by the present washer lever, wiring with crimped terminals and complete instructions with pics for each step. I am a perfectionist so each kit will be perfect and tested before it goes out. Please respond to the poll and respond with any suggestions. Obviously, I won't bother if it's not worth it financially so please be honest. Price includes shipping in the lower 48.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:39 pm

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=128956&highlight=washer

Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:50 pm

Yes, but I'll provide a switch that'll fit in the steering column and actuate when you pull the washer lever towards you :)

Thu Apr 20, 2006 12:52 pm

Maybe 2 packages? One with just the wiring and switch, and one with everything.

I might go for the wiring kit, but the pumps are so common and cheap it seems silly.

(Actually, an electric window conversion kit would be more to my liking..heh)

Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:19 pm

What about those of us that have the wiper switch in the dash? :(

Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:04 pm

I didn't think anybody ever had working wiper fluid sprayers. I've heard of some of the old bugs connecting directly to the spare tire for pressure! This is why I carry my own squeegee and window cleaner though. Between rest stops, gas stops and adding oil I get plenty of chances to clean my windows.

My poll answer would be $0. Human Squeegee Power!

Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:25 pm

That doesn't work in areas that get snow however. The salt/magnesium/whatevercrapola stuff they put on the roads makes a wonderful nearly opaque film on the windshield that the wipers by themselves can't handle.

So at least here in CO I *need* sprayers.

Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:39 pm

Now you're going to have this available! Two weeks ago I put in an electric pump for the windsheild washer, and that was the easy part. The hard part was making a micro switch with a pin in it so it is activated in the normal way, with the wiper control arm. I have kept my bus stock looking, but have added a few of the modern conveniences.

Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:34 am

Adventurewagen wrote: I didn't think anybody ever had working wiper fluid sprayers. I've heard of some of the old bugs connecting directly to the spare tire for pressure! This is why I carry my own squeegee and window cleaner though. Between rest stops, gas stops and adding oil I get plenty of chances to clean my windows. .

The BEST thing about that is that it forces you to check that spare tire to make sure it's inflated and you may as well check the other tires at the same time. they worked great when they were maintained well ....

As for the question about the washer system, all I'd want is the microswitch P/N, as well as how to mount it ..... it's not that complicated ..... that I'd pay for ....

Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:55 pm

Did anyone ever put together this kit so that the pump would work off of the lever in the steering wheel column? Most of the posts on this point to the electric pump install, but I didn't see anything about the switch integration. Does someone sell a kit to convert my 78 bus to an electric pump?

Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:18 am

Scott at German Supply talked about doing this as well, don't know what he decided.

Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:25 am

i just rebuilt my washer system after having my dash/nose apart. new hoses and washer nozzels is really all i did (also re lubed the wiper motor, shafts etc). works mint, and i don't mind having to fill my washer jug with air. besides, i really don't feel the need to add to the wiring mess the factory found acceptable. just my 0.02. it is a pretty antique idea, but works just fine for me, and holds pressure without any problems

Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:18 pm

if you have the late bus replacement wiper switch on the column you can activate it by the lever. i have a 79.

there's an article on Ratwell's site. the replacement switches came with a switch built in for the intermittant wipers.

the wires are in the plastic housing but will be missing on the chassis side. used some spare wires from a parts bus and supplied 2 leads to close the ground side of the motor.

nice easy weekend project with VISIBLE reults. money well spent.

Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:27 pm

http://www.ratwell.com/technical/EssentialUpgrades.html

here's the article in question.

Sat Jan 24, 2009 8:48 pm

Wildthings wrote: Scott at German Supply talked about doing this as well, don't know what he decided.

i have the prototype in my personal bus. it has intermittent wipers too, all with the stock (looking) column switch. i'll get it put together as a kit soon. it will not be a cheap kit, but it's nice to have a working washer without extra switches, both from a functionality and aesthetic point of view.

Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:13 am

I checked and I don't have the replacement switch talked about in the Ratwell article (I saw that, but it didn't register that the SWF was a brand name of the replacement item).

I'll wait for the prototype and see what the cost is. The replacement wiper switch is around $75 -- and I'd still have to hack together the connections. Plus buy the rest of the parts and tubing. Seems like the kit would have to be the cheaper route.

I'd rather wait and see what the kit has to offer and work on another project in the mean time. Maybe I'll have more options.

Now excuse me while I pump up my windshield wiper fluid...

Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:58 am

I think it is a great idea and one that i would definetly use.

Sun May 17, 2009 4:19 pm

While I don't have intermittent wipers, I am one step closer to having an electric washer pump. I had to remove my steering wheel anyway to install my clock (another story) and figured while it was out it would be a good time to install a washer pump switch

Here's what the original switch looks like when you remove it from the column

First step is to remove the old switch. You don't have to remove the brass nuts, they just usually fall out

I picked up a pack of micro switches from Radio Shack

Now here my camera messed up and lost a couple of pics. First you have to cut the old switch off of it's mounting base and drill a 1/4" hole thru' the metal plate to insert the micro switch

And drill a bit bigger (15/32"?) into the plastic for the nut to go into

And here's the finished project

I then soldered wires to the tabs, covered them with liquid electrical tape, and ran the wires down the steering column when I put it all together. It works like original, and has been confirmed by multimeter. Next I'm putting the pump in the original washer bottle. Peace!

Sun May 17, 2009 5:45 pm

it is a reasonable upgrade but we never had trouble with the original system. Although I have heard of hoses breaking and fluid going everywhere.

Wed Jan 27, 2010 5:49 am

Where can a person locate those momentary pushbutton switches?