Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

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bmouthboyo
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Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by bmouthboyo »

Hi Guys,

I have an early 83 van, originally a DG which has the old electrics with ceramic fuses etc.

Is it possible to easily upgrade the wipers so they run from a times relay?

Thanks
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shepster
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by shepster »

Yes, however it's a bit more complicated than on the later vans.

There is a guide somewhere but not sure where, which isn't really much help.

You will still need the appropriate relay plus a bit of additional wiring but still not that hard.
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Cobra88
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by Cobra88 »

Mine is a late 84 but F coded 85 model and has int wipe

I have ceramic fuses too
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bmouthboyo
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by bmouthboyo »

Cobra88 wrote:Mine is a late 84 but F coded 85 model and has int wipe

I have ceramic fuses too

Interesting. I thought the early vans did not have relays controlling the wipers?
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petethefeet
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by petethefeet »

Hi,
I have done this upgrade, quite easy it is detailed in Wiki under VW Electrics (not camper interior specific).
I managed to get a proper VW relay socket so I could plug it in, one issue was finding the electrical crimp connections for the small spade connectors on the relay.
All fitted inside the cowling around the steering column.
1982 2 litre CU Auto Devon Moonraker called Brian

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bigherb
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by bigherb »

You just have to wire it up yourself, Posistion 5 in the fusebox is for the relay.

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bmouthboyo
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by bmouthboyo »

bigherb wrote:You just have to wire it up yourself, Posistion 5 in the fusebox is for the relay.

Image

Even in an early van with early ceramic fuses that never had it as standard? Why do some people add a relay to the steering column if there is space in the relay fusebox? Sorry still not learnt what my relays currently do as doesn't seem to be many diagrams online for early vans.
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petethefeet
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by petethefeet »

From memory fitting the relay into the steering column limits the length of wire runs. If it is fitted into the fuse box area you need to run the wires to and from the steering column.
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bigherb
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by bigherb »

bmouthboyo wrote: Even in an early van with early ceramic fuses that never had it as standard?
Yep

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bmouthboyo
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by bmouthboyo »

bigherb wrote:
bmouthboyo wrote: Even in an early van with early ceramic fuses that never had it as standard?
Yep

Image

Legend thank you for that. I understand now, the relay isnt wired but space ready for it. I will need to cut and splice wires as per the wiki.

Thanks
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shepster
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by shepster »

And don't forget to remove the white plastic thing which allows the stalk to move into the intermittent position (down).

Depending on which relay you end up with the wipers will sweep a few times when the 'wash' function is used, I think there is a programmable relay as well to alter the time lapse between wipes.
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by crazyhorse »

bmouthboyo wrote:Hi Guys,

I have an early 83 van, originally a DG which has the old electrics with ceramic fuses etc.

Is it possible to easily upgrade the wipers so they run from a times relay?

Thanks

Have a spare relay if you want it??
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Re: Early van / electrics, intermittent wiper relay?

Post by nevill3 »

I too have the early wiring and placed my relay in the correct position
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