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My 96 cabrio windshield wipers are working in continuous mode, but the delay mode does not work. Is this related to the wiper relay switch or something else?

Submitted: 308 days and 6 hours ago.

Category: VW

Value: $9

Status: AWAITING EXPERT REPLY

1996 Volkswagen cabrio 4 cyl 2.0

Accepted Answer

There is an intermittant relay for the wipers, but I have seen plenty of these switches get the circuit burned for one or more of the positions. Most of the time a person says "I saw a bit of smoke from behind the steering wheel" and it never happens again- then they find out what it was when they go to use their wipers. There is some grease that lubricates the contact switch for the spiral spring, it often migrates and ends up getting on the back of the switch stalks, and causes it to burn or melt.

Accepts:
Expert:	gomi_otaku
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	1/19/2009

VW Technician

VW FastTrack '00-'01, VW Academy Chicago and Seattle '00-present, VW Certified

308 days and 4 hours ago.

Reply

So if I replace the relay switch will that take care of the problem or is it likely to be in the wiring itself? Don't want to buy a switch if that wont help.

Posted by gomi_otaku 308 days and 4 hours ago.

Answer

The relay is in the relay panel under the dash- but the switch is the one on the column. You would need to remove the airbag unit and steering wheel to be able to inspect it and see if it is burned. It's not likely to be wiring, I've never seen any wires break on this area of these type of cars except possibly from the ignition switch, which would not involve only the intermittant function

308 days and 3 hours ago.

Reply

Is there a way to test the relay? Just trying to narrow things down a bit before I buy any parts....

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My 96 cabrio windshield wipers are working in continuous mode, but the delay mode does not work. Is this related to the wiper relay switch or something else?

Optional Information

1996 Volkswagen cabrio 4 cyl 2.0

Accepted Answer

Reply

So if I replace the relay switch will that take care of the problem or is it likely to be in the wiring itself? Don't want to buy a switch if that wont help.

Answer

Reply

Is there a way to test the relay? Just trying to narrow things down a bit before I buy any parts....

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