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Californio
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Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1301
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 Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:48 am Post subject: Intermittent wipe/wash failure |
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Ok, searched the archives on this and got kinda close, but not exactly.
At times my entire wiper switch-stalk goes out and then comes back on. When it's out, the wipers, washer, rear wipers, and rear washer stop working; when it comes back on, they all work perfectly.
This tells me there is some one source of power to the switch that is failing and then re-making contact. Otherwise some switched items would keep working. Some threads have mentioned relays 10 and 11 but I don't those being bad would stop the whole show.
Any ideas what this could be? I hate suddenly not having wipers and of course it's always right when the rain drops first appear.
'87 Syncro. |
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dhaavers
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Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 7753
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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<deleted: previous worthless post>
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>
Last edited by dhaavers on Wed Sep 28, 2011 9:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Californio
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Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1301
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| Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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Not the rear wipe/wash--they're grounded in the back. Unless there's something I'm missing.
I can't see anything in Bentley that would explain this one. Then again I don't read those schematics so well either.
I'm going to pull the steering wheel and have a look. |
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McVanagon
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Joined: February 19, 2007
Posts: 1684
Location: Northern part of the Virginia
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| Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2011 2:46 am Post subject: |
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I have seen the same issue with my rear wiper.
I rarely use it, but about 25% of the time it won't work. I'm like "WTF?" then when I start to troubleshoot later it works fine, and continues until a month later, or so.
Front wiper&washer are fine, and so is the rear washer.
(shrugs shoulders)
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'69 Mike
'85 GL
'87 Wolfsburg Hardtop |
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teej
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Joined: November 26, 2010
Posts: 897
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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| McVanagon wrote: |
I have seen the same issue with my rear wiper.
I rarely use it, but about 25% of the time it won't work. I'm like "WTF?" then when I start to troubleshoot later it works fine, and continues until a month later, or so.
Front wiper&washer are fine, and so is the rear washer.
(shrugs shoulders) |
I am troubleshooting exactly this, and found this unresolved post. Front wiper/washer fine, rear washer fine, rear wiper intermittent fail.
During the fail relay clicking is absent. When working the relay clicks audibly. So during the fail the relay is not triggering.
Moments later, it may work. Sometimes after doing nothing, sometimes after operating the front ww, sometimes after jiggling the rear wiper, still nothing conclusive. Next step is to pull interior rear panel and check connection&ground in lid, but I am thinking the problem is up front.
Anyone have advice on the most likely culprit?
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1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans |
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Californio
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Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1301
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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| I haven't had the problem recently. But it seems as though a problem with the rear wiper only would be unrelated electrically to a problem with the whole system. I'm suspecting that my problem was caused by a bad fuse contact (this happened with another fuse--the interior contact plates are worn) but am not sure yet. |
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teej
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Joined: November 26, 2010
Posts: 897
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 6:11 pm Post subject: |
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Well, after futzing around some more, it seems it is a relay or relay contact problem.
First, since I wasn't hearing the relay click during the failure mode, I wondered if the trigger circuit on the relay has a bad ground. I couldn't discern a separate ground for the relay from the Bentley, but I only half understand all the symbols. Does the relay trigger circuit ground through the wiper motor using the same ground, ground inside the hatch (No. 11)? Or is there somewhere else to look?
I removed and re-installed the relay, and the wiper worked. Then it didn't. I jiggled the relay. Wiper worked. Put fusebox cover back on. No work. Remove cover pull out slightly on relay to find the sweet spot. OK. Put cover back on. Working for now.
So the relay contacts in the fuse block seem the likely culprits, not the relay itself. Is this correct deduction?
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1986+ Wolfsburg Weekender Pop-Top 2.3 WBX Manual Trans
Last edited by teej on Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:46 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Californio
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Joined: May 17, 2007
Posts: 1301
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| Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 8:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Sounds right. Worth a try: spray contact cleaner in there, wiggle the arms of the relay so they make better contact, see what happens. |
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