Date:         Sat, 12 Apr 2014 09:52:08 -0400
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Rear Window Wiper/Washer
In-Reply-To:  <BLU177-W31517FD42F77BE112B409DE0570@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

We can take control of those rear wipers.
  A few years ago, I finally got fed up with the unreliable operation of
the rear wiper switch on my '91 GL.  I pulled the relay for the rear
wiper/washer and after some puzzling over the Bentley and cautious probing
with a meter and a jumper wire, I found the slots in the relay socket that
would run the wiper and run the washer when 12V was applied.  There is
also, of course a slot which supplies 12V.  Ordinary male flat push-in
terminals fit just fine in these slots.
   In the lower edge of the dash, below the rear heater fan switch and just
to the right of the steering column, I drilled two holes, where I installed
two switches, one a small momentary push button and the other a small
toggle switch.
  12V from the relay socket is wired to one side of each switch and the
push button sends the power back to the slot in the socket that activates
the washer, while the toggle switch similarly supplies the wiper motor.
   Now I can push the button to run the washer pump as long as I see fit,
and I can turn the toggle switch on to run the wiper as long as I like.
      One of the best upgrades I have made.

Larry A.



On Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 11:20 PM, James <jk_eaton@hotmail.com> wrote:

> It may be a VW thing, to have the rear washer squirt (a little) when you
> activate the rear wiper - my '95 VW Golf III GL did this.  A very quick
> push forward produced a little squirt and turned on the (intermittent) rear
> wipers - a long push produced a good long squirt and kept the wiper moving
> until released, when it resumed intermittent setting.  I did, over 8 years
> of ownership, get to the point where I could sometimes not have the little
> squirt, if I was quick enough, but usually a little liquid appeared.
>
> Of course, that was the same wiper setup where you set how long the delay
> between swipes was on the front wipers by how long a time gap you left
> between quick pulls on the wiper stalk - a feature my wife never quite
> figured out.
>
> James
> Ottawa, ON
>
> > Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 13:01:55 -0400
> > From: mcperdue@GMAIL.COM
> > Subject: Re: Rear Window Wiper/Washer
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> > Stephen,
> >
> > On my '87 Westy, non-Syncro, the washer comes on when you hold the stalk
> > forward. You should be able to push it forward and let go to activate the
> > rear window wiper. If that's not working, the contact ring under your
> > steering wheel likely needs to be cleaned.
> >
> > You could empty the reservoir too, like Karl so seriously suggested, but
> > you'd probably spill washer fluid on your bed . . . :^)
> >
> > Marc Perdue
> >
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Apr 11, 2014 at 12:33 PM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@q.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Empty the reservoir?
> > >
> > > Karl Wolz
> > > Sent from my electronic umbilicus
> > >
> > > > On Apr 11, 2014, at 8:37 AM, Stephen Engel <sengel543@YAHOO.COM>
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > My 87 Syncro GL has the rear wiper/washer. When I operate the wiper
> by
> > > pushing forward on the stalk I also get a squirt of washer fluid. I
> usually
> > > use it when it's raining or snowing and don't need any washer fluid.
> > > >
> > > > It's a minor annoyance, but wonder if there is a fix for this? Am I
> > > doing something wrong? The owners' manual is long gone.
> > > >
> > > > Steve
> > > > 87 Syncro GL
> > > >
> > > > Sent from my iPhone
> > >
>
>