Intermittent windshield wipers

[John Rethorst]

I'm very happy with the '01 OBW I've had for three months now, but I wish the
windshield wiper had more than one intermittent speed. If Eskimos have 28 words
for snow, we in the Pacific Northwest should have as many words for rain, and a
range of intermittent speeds would be nice.

I just drove an '04 Forester, and it had five or six intermittent speeds. I'd
like to get that control (rotating ring on the wiper control stalk to the right
of the steering wheel) added to my '01. New wiper motors might also be required.

Anyone know off the top how expensive such a modification would be? Thanks,

 

[steve ball]

Years ago, my dad had a dash mounted wiper delay. They were about $5 at Pep Boys,
(like Shucks). Not a factory look, but you don't have to tear the steering column
apart.

It's just a timer on the switch. The motor has nothing to do with it. The '04 OBW
has the intermittent switch standard. You could check with your dealer about
compatibility with the '01, there may be a different wiper relay needed. Or maybe
it just won't fit.

<rant>
Personally, It drives me nuts that you roll the control down for a longer delay
(slower wiper speed). I think you should roll the control down for a faster wiper
speed, since you pull it down for wipers, and down further for faster wipers.
</rant>

Steve

 

[Woody]

I'm very happy with the '01 OBW I've had for three months now, but I wish the
windshield wiper had more than one intermittent speed. If Eskimos have 28 words
for snow, we in the Pacific Northwest should have as many words for rain, and a
range of intermittent speeds would be nice.

I just drove an '04 Forester, and it had five or six intermittent speeds. I'd
like to get that control (rotating ring on the wiper control stalk to the right
of the steering wheel) added to my '01. New wiper motors might also be required.

Anyone know off the top how expensive such a modification would be? Thanks,

We had a '98 Forester S with only one intermittent wiper speed which
was one of my few gripes about the car. All those other features and
only one intermittent wiper speed. Stupid.

Our fix was to trade it in on a '04 Forester XS which has variable
speeds <G>. Total net cost of the "modification" was $18,000 after
trade-in. OK, OK, there were a few other minor reasons for the trade.


Woody; 95FXDS

 

[Kurt C. Hack]

My '02 has the multi-speed intermittent wipers, and it looks like a
changeout of the lever for the "newer" style one. I believe the timer
mechanism is part of the switch/lever combo.

On the same note, I would REALLY like the ability to use my rear wiper
in a continuous mode, instead of it always being intermittent. Anyone
have any thoughts on that modification?

-Kurt

 

[John Rethorst]

It's just a timer on the switch. The motor has nothing to do with it. The '04
OBW
has the intermittent switch standard. You could check with your dealer about
compatibility with the '01, there may be a different wiper relay needed. Or
maybe
it just won't fit.

I went to my dealer (Dewey Griffin in Bellingham WA, apparently a good shop
although as I say I'm new to Subarus). The service manager thought the mod would
require extensive work.

 

[ZZ]

My '02 has the multi-speed intermittent wipers, and it looks like a
changeout of the lever for the "newer" style one. I believe the timer
mechanism is part of the switch/lever combo.

On the same note, I would REALLY like the ability to use my rear wiper
in a continuous mode, instead of it always being intermittent. Anyone
have any thoughts on that modification?

-Kurt

Have you considered something like an automatic wiper control?
www.raintracker.com
A little pricey though it's still probably cheaper than retrofitting
with Subaru parts.

JC Whitney has 2 models for less than $20.00
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-1251/c-10101

 

[Bonehenge]

I went to my dealer (Dewey Griffin in Bellingham WA, apparently a good shop
although as I say I'm new to Subarus). The service manager thought the mod would
require extensive work.

I wonder if the computer module has something to do with the
intermittent wipers, or there is wiring missing in the harnesses.

Barry