Electric Windshield Washer Using Stock Wiper Stalk?

Bob D.

Does anyone know of a way to install an electric windshield washer on a '78 bus, while still retaining the stock wipe/wash stalk to actuate the washer?

I know that I could buy a generic electric windshield washer and install a separate washer button on the dash or something to actuate it (and I will if that is the *only* choice) but I'd love to keep my excellent original bus looking original.

Is there some way of fitting a microswitch in place of the original pneumatic coupling on the stalk, or perhaps swapping in a part from a newer VW? I remember that on 914s you could upgrade to an electric washer by swapping in a 924 wiper/washer stalk. Is there anything similar for the bus? Anybody done this before? All past references I could find just mentioned the separate button on the dash, nothing using the OE wipe/wash stalk.

Any info greatly appreciated. (I also posted this question on the type2 list, so if you are reading this twice I apologize, but I know there are lots of experienced folks not on both lists.)

Thanks!
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1978 7-Passenger, 37K miles
Proud Member #1, SBS (Stock Bus Society)

*Enjoy and appreciate your good health*

We used to play for silver
Now we play for life

Amskeptic · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 7:59 pm Post subject:

This is an idea. It is only an idea. Had it been a fact, you would have been notified. My '73 Bus has a three position switch for the wipers. From forward to backward it has fast, low, single wipe, and off. I use the single wipe position for my off because it is there that it is exactly lined-up with the turn indicator stalk. Why not wire up the switch to juice your washer pump in the lower "off" position. I would use the switch only to energize a relay to keep amperage draw to a minimum through the switch.
Colin Idea

McHuntley · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2003 8:09 pm Post subject:

I am told that on a Superbeetle, there is both the pneumatic and the electtrical connections. Maybe it is so on your bus?

Check it out!
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Any opinions stated here are my own, otherwise someone else would have said them.

ratwell

jeremysmithatshawdotca · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 2:57 am Post subject:

I thought about doing that myself, when I put in an electric pump. It's definitely doable, but I didn't have the time available to do a good job of it, so I went with a push button in the dash. All it will take is time and patience to get something tiny into the space available. Jeremy

jeremyrockjock · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 9:38 am Post subject:

I have done it on my old 70 and my 69 but those swithes are quite different than a 78.
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Why buy what you can build.
Step away from the fiberglass and no one gets hurt!!

Bob D. · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2003 11:14 am Post subject:

I just spoke to my mechanic, and it turns out he has done this OE stalk/electric washer modification several times before on 914 Porsches using a microswitch from Radio Shack. He is confident that he can use the same part and technique on my bus.

I will post part numbers and other info when I get them from him next week. I personally feel this will be a great "real world" upgrade for my bus, while still preserving absolutely original appearance.

As always, thanks to everybody for the great suggestions and leads. I have gained so much knowledge from this group; it will be a pleasure to return the favor, even on something little like this. Wink

_________________
1978 7-Passenger, 37K miles
Proud Member #1, SBS (Stock Bus Society)

*Enjoy and appreciate your good health*

We used to play for silver
Now we play for life

jeremysmithatshawdotca · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2003 5:14 pm Post subject:

Every little bit helps. You quickly discover here that all those great ideas you have about some mod to your van has been thought out and usually done by somebody before who can shed some insight into how it will go. Jeremy

Randy in Maine · Posted: Sun Nov 02, 2003 7:13 am Post subject:

Hey Bob,

Just a side question while you are in there looking inside the steering wheel. Do your self cancelling turn signals actually self cancel?

Mine don't.

How big of a deal is it to make them work while you are in there getting real w. washers? I need to do that also, since my washers and self cancelling TS are technically "not working". One of those, "while you are in there..." things.

It should be winter just about any day now, eh? I have my POR-15 stuff and will be getting ready to "do the deed" very shortly. I will put some photos someplace.

Stay warm and a tough Cubs loss. We are just more used to our Red Sox losing than you are. They had a hell of a team in 1918 you know.

Randy (who thinks he would look really sporty driving a yellow 75 914 2.0 liter)

josh · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2003 8:35 pm Post subject:

If your turn signals aren't self cancelling you probably need a new switch to fix it. The large plastic tab that sticks out from bottom of the steering wheel and trips 2 small plastic switches in the turn signal switch. These are small plastic pieces and often break when they are old. Because of the size of these parts and the construction of the switch I don't think trying to repair it would be a worthwhile project.

ratwell · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2003 10:01 pm Post subject:

See my other post, Randy.
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'78 Westfalia CDN
'76 Doublecab
Read the Baywindow FAQ

Randy in Maine · Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2003 7:25 am Post subject:

Already saw it. I think I posed the question before I read the forum.

I am hoping to fix it today after work.

I am not even a junior member at Pelican.


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