Wiring Question - Wiper / Fan motor

[txasylum]

I just spent the last couple hours trying to figure out why my wiper blades aren't working. I looked at the schematic and understand the fan motor is on the same circuit.

- Fuse is good and getting power through it when the key is on.
- I pulled the plug off the back of the wiper arm on the steering column. I checked the pins for power none of them had power (not sure if they should or not but just telling you what I did.)
- I noticed that my "Fasten Seat Belt" light dimmed when I turned the fan switch on.

I'm stuck not knowing what else to test or look for.

Oh, this is a 1979 Super Beetle

Bob

[Michael Ambrozik]

It sounds like you have a short in that circuit, your best bet is to PM ASHMAN40, he is the wiring/electric guy.

[txasylum]

Thanks

[ashman40]

Hi, saw your PM but thought it would be better to respond here.

Let's start with the wiring diagram...

And Speedy Jim's page/diagram for the column wiper switch:

http://speedyjim.net/schem/wiper.htm
Read Speedy Jim's page and you will understand how the wiper switch and the wiper motor works.

12v from the #10 fuse runs over a black/grey (it appears black/purple to me?) wire to both the wiper motor and the wiper switch. With the ignition switch in the ON/RUN position there should be 12v on this black/grey wire. Test the wire at the ignition switch plug as well as the #10 fuse. Note that the #10 fuse is powered by the "X" circuit from the ignition switch (black/yellow wire). This is a different circuit that the #15 (black wire) circuit from the ignition switch that powers many other devices when the key is ON. This means the ignition coil and radio may work while the wipers and blower don't because something is wrong with the black/yellow wire circuit.

You mentioned not having any voltage on the steering column plug. This suggests there is a disconnect between the ignition switch and the plug. Test fuse #10 (both sides) and if needed, work back to the black/yellow wire at the ignition switch plug to find where the disconnect is.
You may just need to clean up all your connections. This will help with the Brake Warning lamp dimming as well.
_________________
AshMan40
---------------------------
'67 Beetle #1 {project car that never made it to the road }
'75 Beetle 1200LS (RHD Japan model) {junked due to frame rot}
'67 Beetle #2 {2019 project car - Wish me luck!}

[txasylum]

Thanks for responding. I have to admit that wiring is not my strongest suit.
I just came in from messing with the wiring again trying to follow a similar diagram. Here is what I was looking for:

From the fuse number 10 I have a black, white, and a black and yellow wire three wires I have power coming out of the #10 fuse. Black and yellow goes to a relay (pictured). At the wiper motor connector that plugs into the steering column the black and yellow wire does not have power. Does that power come from that connector itself, or the black and yellow wire on the middle connector when the wiper connector is plugged into switch? Either way, no power from any of the pins.

I took a couple pictures to help understand. The green, black/yellow, black/purple go to the wiper motor. If power should be coming from black/purple, it has no power. The brown/black, and black goes to that relay.

So is the power coming in to the switch through the other connector and transferred out through the connector in my hand (no power to yellow/black)?

Could it be a bad switch? Could the wiper relay be bad? If so, how does all this play into the fan motor that is not working?

Where does the black/purple wire get its power from? In the picture it is going out to the wiper motor.

[Al Capulco]

Your '79 bug has intermittent wipers via that relay. You need to get a wire diagram of the relay, switch and motor in order to trouble shoot your problem. Your also going to have to test that relay, they go bad. As far as the black plug in your hand, the 12v power is the black/ grey wire. The black/yellow wire is the fast speed, the green is for park and the other black wire is slow speed. The brown wire/black is for the intermittent function. With the key on you should have 12v on the black/grey wire at the plug in your hand. Good luck. If you need a relay, I have a few. The wiring diagram above does not show your intermittent option. You should test the wiper motor to see if it runs, they go bad too.

[txasylum]

I checked the relay (positive and negative pins) and it clicks. I did put the test light on the pins to the relay at the fuse panel. The only power I had was from #10 fuse to the relay. Also, should I have power to the black/grey wire when it is unplugged, as pictured? I have no power to that wire as pictured. Or even with plugged in I'm not getting power to the black/grey wire. Where does that power come from?

Also, does this relay affect the fan motor too? To test the wiper motor do I just put 12v to the black/yellow wire?

Thanks for your help.

[ashman40]

[txasylum]

Thanks so much for your help, and everyone else's. Without you all many of us will be stuck in the woods... LOL

I have followed many diagrams over the last two days. The problem I was having was that I was not getting power to the switch (blk/gry wire). The diagrams refer to fuse 10, which was good and putting out power. I finally was able to find my way through the clump of wires in the dash and followed the black/grey wire and found it went to fuse 11, which was not making contact. Once I cleaned that one up the wipers worked.

However, the intermittent function is not working. I can turn them on slow/fast, but not intermittent. Not a big deal to me.

Also, my fan motor is still not working. I read the fan motor is in the same circuit. Is this true?

Thanks again.

[ashman40]

[txasylum]

No, I didn't move the black/grey wire back to 10. I left it on 11. If I recall I don't think I have any free openings on 10 to put that wire on. Currently what is on 10 is a black wire, white wire (no clue for what), and another wire that goes to the wiper relay. I don't recall the color, maybe red.

Also, my intermittent wiper is not working. I am confused from other readings on how to test it. I'm guessing the relay is bad if the intermittent wiper is not working, but low and high speed is.

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[ashman40]