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Big Bull Shooter
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2018
Posts: 525
Location: Canadian Rockies
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 Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 1:49 pm Post subject: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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I recently bought a 1957 Beetle, and 2 days after getting home with it, the battery went dead. After testing, I was able to trace the draw to the wiper motor or switch. When I disconnected the wiper motor wire from the fuse block, the draw on the battery stopped.
I've searched and read lots of topics on here regarding the issues, but looking for advise on where to start. The car was a September 56 build, SWF wiper motor with one wire from fuse, one wire from switch, and ground wire. The point gap inside the motor is quite large, and I'm not sure how that can be adjusted if that is the problem. Looking at the switch wiring, I'm wondering if it may be just wired wrong.
I'll post what pictures I have in hopes that something obvious jumps out. I'm experiencing some PTSD from losing everything in a wildfire last year, and I'm finding problem solving quite difficult at the moment. Thanks for you time and patience.
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Where would this hobby be if no one shipped parts.
crukab
Feb. 11, 2021
Smokey says.... only you can prevent Bug fires!
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VW_Jimbo 
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 10967
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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Sorry man! Life will improve slowly. The PTSD will also depart but you still got to stay away from those triggers!
The circuit is pretty simple. If the there is no draw with the motor disconnected, it has to be the motor. Armature or fields. Look up how to check that. Plenty of you tube videos!
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Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
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scrivyscriv
Samba Electrician
Joined: October 04, 2011
Posts: 3319
Location: Memphis
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| Posted: Sat May 24, 2025 6:54 pm Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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Might be some gunk in the switch; the motor looks pretty clean.
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wagen19
Samba Member
Joined: November 16, 2007
Posts: 543
Location: germany
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 2025 3:36 am Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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| scrivyscriv wrote: |
| Might be some gunk in the switch; the motor looks pretty clean. |
Maybe a wrong combination of switch and motor, or uncorrect wiring.
What about correct end position of wipers? Suggest to have a look in spare book and wiring diagram.
There are 2 different switches and 2 different motors with end position for Exports from 10´52 to 7´57.
Imo, your motor 113 955 111 is not correct for 56 Export, but only up to VIN 1 - 0 438 741.
It would be possible to use your "wrong" motor, but eventually only without going to rest (end) position. (wiring has to be changed)
Motor 113 955 111 A would be correct for Exports, VIN 1 - 0 438 742 to 1 600 439 |
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Zwitterkafer
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2007
Posts: 992
Location: Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 2025 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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That wiper switch has 2 terminals and not 3, correct? The thin red wire coming off that switch likely goes to the dome light. Any chance that the light was left on, causing the power draw?
The workshop manual shows this, for an export sedan:
Fused power (30) from fuse box goes to terminal 30 on wiper switch.
Thin red wire leaves terminal 30 on wiper switch, and goes to dome light.
Black wire leaves terminal 30 on wiper switch and goes to + on motor.
Black wire with violet tracer leaves 2nd terminal on wiper switch and goes to "S" on motor.
(-) on motor goes to ground with brown wire which jumpers the grommeted wiper frame attachment.
Your pics seem to show that, but make sure? Make sure that on the motor, "S" and "+" have not been reversed? But if wiring all correct, motor must be the culprit.
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"Criticism comes easier than Craftsmanship"
- Zeuxius, 400 BC |
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Big Bull Shooter
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2018
Posts: 525
Location: Canadian Rockies
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| Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 7:12 am Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
Sorry man! Life will improve slowly. The PTSD will also depart but you still got to stay away from those triggers!
The circuit is pretty simple. If the there is no draw with the motor disconnected, it has to be the motor. Armature or fields. Look up how to check that. Plenty of you tube videos! |
Thanks, Jimbo. When things got difficult while working on my last Beetle, I always thought about the rebuild of your 54 for inspiration.
_________________
Where would this hobby be if no one shipped parts.
crukab
Feb. 11, 2021
Smokey says.... only you can prevent Bug fires!
zerotofifty
May 16, 2023 |
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Big Bull Shooter
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2018
Posts: 525
Location: Canadian Rockies
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| Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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| Zwitterkafer wrote: |
That wiper switch has 2 terminals and not 3, correct? The thin red wire coming off that switch likely goes to the dome light. Any chance that the light was left on, causing the power draw?
The workshop manual shows this, for an export sedan:
Fused power (30) from fuse box goes to terminal 30 on wiper switch.
Thin red wire leaves terminal 30 on wiper switch, and goes to dome light.
Black wire leaves terminal 30 on wiper switch and goes to + on motor.
Black wire with violet tracer leaves 2nd terminal on wiper switch and goes to "S" on motor.
(-) on motor goes to ground with brown wire which jumpers the grommeted wiper frame attachment.
Your pics seem to show that, but make sure? Make sure that on the motor, "S" and "+" have not been reversed? But if wiring all correct, motor must be the culprit. |
Bingo, Zwitterkafer! I bought the Beetle on Vancouver Island and drove it 900km back to Jasper in one shot, up and over the "Highway Thru Hell", arriving at 3:45 AM. During the night, I was trying to get the dome light to work, but it was a bit wonky. Two days later the battery was dead.
I reinstalled the wiper motor after cleaning and greasing all of the pivot points, checked the dome light, and then tested for a draw on the battery. No draw! Then I started fiddling with the dome light to see if I could get it perfected, but I must have shorted something. Now the wipers and dome light don't work. It doesn't appear to be the fuse, but I ran out of time for more testing. Once it stops pouring here today, I'll try to trace it back and hopefully find the issue.
Thank you to everyone else that offered ideas and support as well. I really appreciate the help!
_________________
Where would this hobby be if no one shipped parts.
crukab
Feb. 11, 2021
Smokey says.... only you can prevent Bug fires!
zerotofifty
May 16, 2023
Last edited by Big Bull Shooter on Mon May 26, 2025 11:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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VW_Jimbo
Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016
Posts: 10967
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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| Posted: Mon May 26, 2025 7:39 am Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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| Big Bull Shooter wrote: |
| VW_Jimbo wrote: |
Sorry man! Life will improve slowly. The PTSD will also depart but you still got to stay away from those triggers!
The circuit is pretty simple. If the there is no draw with the motor disconnected, it has to be the motor. Armature or fields. Look up how to check that. Plenty of you tube videos! |
Thanks, Jimbo. When things got difficult while working on my last Beetle, I always thought about the rebuild of your 54 for inspiration. |
Thanks man! It is why I document it. To help others! Glad it helped you out! It also serves as my own therapy. Cheaper than a shrink!
_________________
Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
| TDCTDI wrote: |
| Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
| 67rustavenger wrote: |
| GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Big Bull Shooter
Samba Member
Joined: April 28, 2018
Posts: 525
Location: Canadian Rockies
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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The latest problem tracked back to the fuse block. I scuffed up the contacts and the fuse, wipers and dome light are working again. Thanks for the help, folks. On to the voltage regulator next!
_________________
Where would this hobby be if no one shipped parts.
crukab
Feb. 11, 2021
Smokey says.... only you can prevent Bug fires!
zerotofifty
May 16, 2023 |
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Zwitterkafer
Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2007
Posts: 992
Location: Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Tue May 27, 2025 9:20 am Post subject: Re: Wiper Motor Constant Power Draw 1957 Beetle |
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Good to hear that it worked out! May that beautiful car provide much "Strength Through Joy"!
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"Criticism comes easier than Craftsmanship"
- Zeuxius, 400 BC |
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