Wiper relay

[chris212]

I've never had the intermittent wiper on the car. Since removing the steering wheel to re centre it after centralising the steering rack, I now have no park function on the wipers aswell. I replaced the park switch a few years ago which fixed it. Checked it and it looks OK.
The horn stopped working, but this was down to the earth connection on the column breaking off. Now fixed.
Wipers work on both speeds. Checked that the relay was pushed in properly which it was.
How do I test the relay? It looks like a complicated one. Dont want to just buy one as it looks OK inside (no corrosion).
Thanks.

[Penelope Stopit]

Is this the type of fuse-box fitted?


If so, the intermittent wipe relay should be in position 9

There could be a seperate fuse for parking the wipers

The following may match

Fuse 15 - Wiper Relay + Indicators

Fuse 17 - Wipers + W/Lts + Beam Flash

Fuse 18 - Wiper Park + Brake Lights

Testing through the circuit will take some explaining, post back after checking fuses

[chris212]

Yes that's the relay I want to check but it has 6 prongs and don't know where to start? I'll re check the fuses tonight. Thanks

[Penelope Stopit]

chris212 said:

Yes that's the relay I want to check but it has 6 prongs and don't know where to start? I'll re check the fuses tonight. Thanks

Ok

Let's see if a fuse is causing the parking problem and go from there

[Penelope Stopit]

Six terminal relay is correct

Terminal 40 - Block C - 53e

Terminal 41 - Block C - 53c and Block B - 53c

terminal 42 - Block C - 31b

Terminal 43 - Fuse 15

Terminal 44 - Block G - 31

Terminal 45 - Block C - J

[chris212]

Changed fuse 15 even though it didn't look blown and had continuity on the multimeter. Park function now works!?
Still no intermittent but it's not had that since I bought it.
Bought a new relay to try. Can it be anything else?
Thanks

[QBee]

The intermittent never worked on my wife's Saab either.
New column stalk was all that was required, and 5 minutes with a screwdriver.
It was just a broken contact.

Have you tried taking the stalk off and checking it?
I believe they are Vauxhall, possibly Cavalier or Ashtray?

[chris212]

QBee said:

The intermittent never worked on my wife's Saab either.
New column stalk was all that was required, and 5 minutes with a screwdriver.
It was just a broken contact.

Have you tried taking the stalk off and checking it?
I believe they are Vauxhall, possibly Cavalier or Ashtray?

Maybe next if the relay doesn't solve it. Wiring looks OK around it but could be inside the switch? Thanks.

[Penelope Stopit]

Great, faulty fuse

Because the wipers with park are now working ok, there's only a slim chance of blowing a new relay

Not worth getting too involved with the ins and outs of the circuit until you've tried a new relay

Post back if there's another problem

[Classic Chim]

chris212 said:

Maybe next if the relay doesn't solve it. Wiring looks OK around it but could be inside the switch? Thanks.

I had this issue which was solved with a new stalk assembly on my Chim I sourced from a Vaux parts supplier for around 25 quid inc postage.

[chris212]

New relay fitted but still no intermittent wiper😔
Wiper stalk looked OK when I took it apart.
What now? Try a new stalk?

[Steve_D]

Do you have the wiper delay potentiometer on the side of the steering column?
Is it still connected? it has very fine wires so is easily damaged.
With everything on and the wipers set to intermittent see if you have +12v at the red/black wires on the pot. (try them both)

Steve

[chris212]

Steve_D said:

Do you have the wiper delay potentiometer on the side of the steering column?
Is it still connected? it has very fine wires so is easily damaged.
With everything on and the wipers set to intermittent see if you have +12v at the red/black wires on the pot. (try them both)

Steve

No pot in the column

[QBee]

chris212 said:

Steve_D said:

Do you have the wiper delay potentiometer on the side of the steering column?
Is it still connected? it has very fine wires so is easily damaged.
With everything on and the wipers set to intermittent see if you have +12v at the red/black wires on the pot. (try them both)

Steve

No pot in the column

It should be on the left hand side of the column if you are in the seat. Little circular black knob.

[Penelope Stopit]

If you've fitted the above 12 38 550 relay, this type of relay is used for wiper circuits with no variable resistor, it gives a none adjustable intermittent wipe delay time

A 12 38 550 relay won't work if fitted into a circuit that has a variable resistor for adjusting the delay time

The following relay will work in circuits that have a variable resistor for adjusting the delay time




Here is the number off the above relay - 09 148 291
Here is another number that apparently is the same relay - 90 494 187

Below is the method used to convert from none adjustable intermittent wipe (12 38 550 relay) to adjustable (09 148 291 relay)

Ignore the colour codes of the cables as they are GM


If your car does have a variable resistor wired into the circuit, you could remove it and join the wires disconnected from it together to give a none variable intermittent wipe using the above 12 38 550 relay that you seem to have purchased

The thing is, there is nothing to say that the original relay is faulty, there could be a wiring fault

Good luck in sorting it

[chris212]

Took the cowl off again and found this connector. Gets power to the right connector when intermittent is switched at the stalk. Should this be plugged into a variable speed switch or a connector somewhere behind the dash?
I don't have a speed switch anywhere and I can't see a free connector for it to plug into.

[Penelope Stopit]

Both cables red/black?

If answer is yes, there you go, one fault found

As posted above, fit the 12 38 550 relay, link the red/black cables and test for none adjustable delay

[chris212]

Penelope Stopit said:

Both cables red/black?

If answer is yes, there you go, one fault found

As posted above, fit the 12 38 550 relay, link the red/black cables and test for none adjustable delay

Finally got intermittent wipers by joining the two red/black wires as suggested. Thanks

[Penelope Stopit]

Nice

Perhaps the original relay is good and will give adjustable delay if the correct variable resistor is fitted

[chris212]

Penelope Stopit said:

Nice

Perhaps the original relay is good and will give adjustable delay if the correct variable resistor is fitted

Yes I guess it is OK. Think I'll quit while ahead. Happy with it. Thanks again.