Any wiper motor alternatives
#32
Almost Addicted
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
#34
Almost Addicted
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Since nobody else has bothered to follow up with results-
I bought a wiper motor that Is compatible with VW OE parts 1C0955119, 620-58359, 620-58577.
Had to grind/sand 5mm off the 3 bolt mounting holes to get it to line up correctly to not cause binding in the wiper mechanism. One person I saw had done some grinding on the wiper linkage, but I would rather not mess with the harder to replace parts if possible, and I think the geometry would be changed somewhat to go that route. There are only 2 speeds on the new motor, and I didn't bother with figuring out if there was a way to make the intermittent setting work. I think there may be a logic board on the stock motor that tells it where to stop that is missing on the VW part, so you'll have to manually stop your wipers in the right spot.
For basic function, I tested out the 1st and 2nd positions from 0 on the wiper stalk, the green and red wires respectively (brown is ground) in the stock motor harness, and fitted some spade connectors.
On the new motor, ground will be obvious, green is low, yellow is high- so ground to ground, green to green, and red to yellow.
I ended up having to replace the stock wiper motor harness wiring as well- fuse still popped even with the new motor. I just soldered fresh wire to the cylindrical pins from the stock harness and then it worked.
Perhaps that wiring was the original problem, but there was a lot of rust in the stock motor, and I can deal with manually stopping the wipers, so I didn't bother putting the old motor back together.
In sum- there is a really cheap, relatively easy way to get your wipers working (under $30), but you're not going to have stock functionality. Doesn't bother me, but I'm not much of a purist. On the plus side, the new motor is smaller and lighter (I assume).
#38
Good information on the VW units. I rebuilt mine (its very easy to do). What I found is that the grease needs to be renewed and I took the rust off the various parts with a dremel and a brush on a drill (I think I used brass). Cleaned all connections, resealed with RTV and it should now be watertight. Works like new. The most difficult part is accessing the wiper motor, but I figured what do I have to lose...gotta get in there anyway, new replacement or not. Happy the old unit works like new (well, for the 80's...).
I think I went to youtube and there was someone who did the same.
I think I went to youtube and there was someone who did the same.
#40
Racer
I've had two cars with rear wipers and have used them only a handfull of times. Now the rear hatch defrost is another story,maybe used a dozen times. In Phoenix it's the AC that's important.
#41
Rennlist Member
I have wrecked two wiper motors so far trying to get them apart. Both times same problem: Stress from pulling the motor shaft out on the brushes results in the brush holder breaking in half. You can't take off the top part of the motor first as the brush holder is screwed into the top frame, and you can't take off the bottom first as it rips apart.
On to motor #3. Motor 1 was mine, the problem was the neutral brush had gotten stuck in the holder. Would have been a ten cent repair. Second motor from Ebay was literally encrusted with rust and garbage, guess it was underwater for a decade. We'll see how the third one is, this time I will try to pull out the two side metal supports (that everything screws to) before pulling apart the motor.
A $800 motor would be fin except after 30 years on the shelf the grease inside is probably in need of replacement. And pulling it apart will result in the same resolution.
Sigh.
On to motor #3. Motor 1 was mine, the problem was the neutral brush had gotten stuck in the holder. Would have been a ten cent repair. Second motor from Ebay was literally encrusted with rust and garbage, guess it was underwater for a decade. We'll see how the third one is, this time I will try to pull out the two side metal supports (that everything screws to) before pulling apart the motor.
A $800 motor would be fin except after 30 years on the shelf the grease inside is probably in need of replacement. And pulling it apart will result in the same resolution.
Sigh.
#42
Advanced
Could you repair it?
Repairing wiper motor at a Porsche 944 - YouTube
Repairing wiper motor at a Porsche 944 - YouTube
#43
Rennlist Member
The key part seems to be taking out the two side ears before taking the top of the motor off. Different from every other motor I have worked on. Ah well, live and learn will post a few pics once the new bad motor comes in.
#44
Rennlist Member
I have wrecked two wiper motors so far trying to get them apart. Both times same problem: Stress from pulling the motor shaft out on the brushes results in the brush holder breaking in half. You can't take off the top part of the motor first as the brush holder is screwed into the top frame, and you can't take off the bottom first as it rips apart.
On to motor #3. Motor 1 was mine, the problem was the neutral brush had gotten stuck in the holder. Would have been a ten cent repair. Second motor from Ebay was literally encrusted with rust and garbage, guess it was underwater for a decade. We'll see how the third one is, this time I will try to pull out the two side metal supports (that everything screws to) before pulling apart the motor.
A $800 motor would be fin except after 30 years on the shelf the grease inside is probably in need of replacement. And pulling it apart will result in the same resolution.
Sigh.
On to motor #3. Motor 1 was mine, the problem was the neutral brush had gotten stuck in the holder. Would have been a ten cent repair. Second motor from Ebay was literally encrusted with rust and garbage, guess it was underwater for a decade. We'll see how the third one is, this time I will try to pull out the two side metal supports (that everything screws to) before pulling apart the motor.
A $800 motor would be fin except after 30 years on the shelf the grease inside is probably in need of replacement. And pulling it apart will result in the same resolution.
Sigh.
I'm presently investigating using a VW Mk3 wiper motor in the hopes that it will provide better performance without the need to cut the mounting bracket for clearance as I would have to with the 996 motor I picked up recently.
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Zirconocene (06-25-2021)