slamposn

Hello to the group... brand new here. I am restoring a 1973 911 and am currently into the wiring. Most things are working but the windshield wipers will not turn off with the key on. The slow speed works and the rest of the settings all seem to be at the same high speed. The only way I can get them to stop is if I gently pull on the lever. Too far and they go back on again, let it go and they go back on again. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to troubleshoot this issue?
Thank you in advance for any help/advice.

js

theiceman

when you pull on the stalk slightly it turns on the sprayers and they are supposed to stop, so that functionality is working ...

There may be a dial control on the dash that is for intermittent wipers , perhaps that **** is turned on or wired up incorrectly as it would be easy to do if you are wiring.

slamposn

I don't have the intermittent switch nor do I see a location drilled for it on the dash. I was able to see 2 contacts within the lever mechanism that if separated would cease the wiper. At the 'off' position the 2 were still barely touching so I spread them just a bit and now it can be turned off. That said, there is no discernible difference in speed for all the 'on' positions. Any thoughts?

oldskewel

Failure of the wiper stalk itself, causing exactly your problem, is pretty common, at least on the later (80's) cars.

Pulling the wiper fuse will get you by until you can replace or possibly repair the switch. If you open it up for surgery, you'll see copper contacts in there that can get bent, etc.

BTW, similar issues with the turn signal stalk causing high beams to be on all the time. I replaced both stalks at the same time on my '85 several years ago.

slamposn

I bent a couple of contacts just a bit so they would remain apart in the 'off' position and now it seems to work. Since you bring it up, I am having a high beam issue on the other side where they only work with the key off. Once the key is turned on they no longer function.

oldskewel

Nice work on the wiper stalk.

Similar root cause for both stalks. I vaguely remember trying to tweak my turn signal stalk to avoid the high beam thing, but eventually gave up and bought new parts. I think for a brief while there, when I wanted low-beams on, I needed to drive with the turn signal stalk pulled slightly (just right) toward me to get me low beams and not high beams. Not fun or safe.

r911

got headlight relays?

you should

slamposn

@oldskewel Yeah, that sounds like an exciting way to drive. I'll keep plugging at high beam issue.

slamposn

@r911 To be honest, I'm not sure if I have a relay for the lights. This part of the car was already installed when I got her. Can you advise where I'd look?

r911

just try a Google search - you want 2 relays & they make the current flow thru shorter wires (and not the switch - which will burn out)

mine are rectangular but I dunno who makes a kit nowadays

slamposn

@r911 Great. Thank you for the input. I'll get back to digging tomorrow.

Spyerx

You’ll need to start tracing wires. Place to start is the ignition and light switch connects. And then the wiring at the fuse block. Mine had several wires off, and while things worked there were a couple funky things.

I installed this. Pelican sells them too. Sure you can make your own too, not hard. I wired my own relay for the driving lights on my t
http://www.jwesteng.com/shop/911/49-...it-65-73-.html

you definitely want relays for the lights. Was first thing i installed.

slamposn

@Spyerx Thank you for the suggestion and link. I'll get one installed if not already there.

r911

and BTW... you know about the unfused wire on the headlight switch??

another thing to upgrade with a fuse

Apparently, Germans don't understand electricity very well

slamposn

@r911
No, I do not know about that. There is much I do not know about what I'm doing on this car. Every little bit I learn uncovers how much more I do not.