Date:         Mon, 30 Sep 2013 15:09:34 -0400
Reply-To:     TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         TJ Hemrick <x53gunner@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Wiper motor no wipey
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

All,
  I've had a bad week and must have angered the "Bosch Gods" last Monday
when I brought one of my many (three) POS rebuilt starters to an
Alternator/Starter repair shop.  The guy seemed pleasant enough but first
words out of his mouth when I handed him the starter was, "Poor design with
the gear out dere like dat" (spelled like it was spoken).  Shrugging that
off, I related that I heard this place could rebuild one of these a LOT
better than just buying another rebuild.  I figured what the hell, I've had
bad luck getting Bosch rebuilds from FLAPS so I was hoping for the best.
 Then he told me "You can NOT get a new Bosch for less than $350 from *anyone.
 *What he said next blew me away, "I don't really feel like wurkin' on it"
and he handed it back to me.  Well, at least he was upfront and honest even
if I was SMH.
  Saturday, while driving the kids back from golf practice, I yelling to
them, repeatedly, "What's that smell?  What is that smell?  Smells like
something burning or melting, like plastic or something".  We get home and
I work my way around till I get to the back and eventually find my way to
the rear wiper motor (separate post on that misadventure) and that thing is
SMOKED.  It smelled for a week of burnt wiring and melted motor guts.
 Horrible smell.
   This morning, no smells but I go to clear the windshield and no wipers.
 NONE.  I wiggle the stalk every which way and some not in the owners
manual and get nothing.  Fuses check good.  I grab TWO spare relays.  No
change.  I say "#$$$%  @%%##&&*  #^%($$##$%$$$$$$$$$"  (also spelled like
it was spoken!)

Anyone got any thoughts before I pull the stalk out and swap it or worse
yet, start going for the wiper motor?  The thought of pulling the dash has
suddenly motivated me to put that spare motor on the shop floor into my
Syncro, drive shaft cages and all...

Thanks,

TJ
87 Syncro
87 Wofsburg