Attention Electrical Gurus, Need help with windshield washer wiring Options

[bbrock]

Right after ordering a complete Car Magic kit to convert my windshield washer to electric, I read Sir Andy's excellent tech article on the conversion. The idea of pulling power for the washer pump off the intermittent wiper feed so the washer is activated by pulling back on the wiper lever was too elegant not to try.

I happened to have this nifty vintage VW style splitter I bought some time ago for not other reason than I thought it might come in handy for some future custom wiring project. It was just the ticket for splitting off of my intermittent washer relay to power the washer pump.



After hooking everything up, I pulled back on the wiper lever and HUZZAH! The washers squirted and the wipers ran for two sweeps and parked. Pretty slick! I couldn't understand how the intermittent wipers would work when the lever was pulled down to turn the intermittent wipers on. I pull down on the lever to test them and nothing. As soon as I unplug the washer pump, the intermittent wipers start running. I'm not sure how the intermittent relay works, but thinking the timer is from charging a capacitor which then "bump starts" the wipers to run a single cycle.

Is there is a reasonably simple way to isolate the pump so it allows the intermittent mechanism to run without activating the washer pump? Could be a fun project. Or should I just go back to the original plan of installing the Car Magic switch? I just like the idea of minimizing the wiring.

[bbrock]

I went ahead and ordered one of these low voltage disconnect modules. There are DIY circuits available, but just to source parts would cost 3X as much and not be as compact.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RS49D6...5LSJQ&psc=1

This will be installed between the washer pump and 3-way connector with wiring as follows:

B+ -> brwn/blk wire from 3-way
B- -> chassis ground at washer pump
Out + -> + on washer pump (I will change this wire to rd/blk to reflect it is now a switched power wire)

This SHOULD leave the relay contacts open when the wiper switch is pulled down into the "J" intermittent position and break the path from the brwn/blk wire to ground. When the lever is pulled back for washer, it should energized the circuit on the module which will sense voltage above the cut on threshold and close the relay contacts allowing 12v to flow to the pump.

It should be here later this week and I'll report how it works. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[Superhawk996]

I went ahead and ordered one of these low voltage disconnect modules.

More stuff for the "simple" schematic to reflect. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

I still can't picture it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I stared (sideways (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) at the column switch schematic you sent for a while and I'm still not convinced I understand how that column switch is wired and/or where the power is coming from to the intermittent relay when you put it in the J position.

I am almost tempted to go find the box that has my manuals and schematics and dig them out. Like you, now that there is a mystery to be solved, I'd love to solve it. However, there is so much yet to be packed, I'm not going backward to dig out reference materials. I trust that you have a plan. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

[windforfun]

I went ahead and ordered one of these low voltage disconnect modules.

More stuff for the "simple" schematic to reflect. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

I still can't picture it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) I stared (sideways (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) ) at the column switch schematic you sent for a while and I'm still not convinced I understand how that column switch is wired and/or where the power is coming from to the intermittent relay when you put it in the J position.

I am almost tempted to go find the box that has my manuals and schematics and dig them out. Like you, now that there is a mystery to be solved, I'd love to solve it. However, there is so much yet to be packed, I'm not going backward to dig out reference materials. I trust that you have a plan. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

I know what you mean about deciphering these "schematics." They're "Greek to me" too & I have a MS degree in EE. They're more like block diagrams with unique notation.