Windshield Washer Conversion, From Water Valve Control to Microswitch |
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Windshield Washer Conversion, From Water Valve Control to Microswitch |
Spoke |
Feb 7 2007, 11:44 PM
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#1
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
While the gas tank is out of the green car, I thought I'd get rid of the aftermarket windshield washer bottle. The bottle was added since the water valve in the steering column handle was leaky.
The electric pump in the washer bottle was controlled by a pushbutton switch hidden under the dashboard. My goal was to return the windshield washer control back to the steering column handle using either the original water valve or an electrical switch if I couldn't get the original system working. If the original system wouldn't work, I will still use the original washer bottle but follow it up with an in-line electric pump. Attached image(s) |
Spoke |
Feb 7 2007, 11:49 PM
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#2
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
First order of business in checking out the original system was testing. I pulled the steering column control assembly and connected the washer system on the bench. I pressurized the bottle with my compressor.
The original water valve was leaking just a little bit. So I flushed it with dish soap to try to clean it out. When that didn't work, I tried silicon spray. This seemed to stop the leak but the valve now didn't pass much water when activated. So after screwing with the valve for a couple of days, I gave up and started looking for a solution to change the lever control from water valve to electric switch. Attached image(s) |
Spoke |
Feb 7 2007, 11:55 PM
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#3
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
Now to figure out how to convert the lever. The water valve is controlled by the little black plunger pointed to by the red arrow in the pic. This plunger moves up into the valve to activate.
If I could mount a small microswitch above the plunger, then pulling on the lever could trip the microswitch. Just need to find a suitable microswitch and make a mount. Attached image(s) |
Spoke |
Feb 7 2007, 11:57 PM
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#4
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
I found this microswitch among the junk I have as part of my model railroad. Should do the trick. It's very small and has a capability of 5 amperes which should be enough for the washer pump.
Whatever solution I come up with, it must fit inside the steering column so size does matter here. Small size that is. Attached image(s) |
Spoke |
Feb 8 2007, 12:01 AM
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#5
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
I fashioned a bracket to hold the microswitch from sheet aluminum. The bracket will sit on the same studs that held the water valve. The bracket will also stabilize the little black plunger since it loses some of its stability when the water valve is removed.
Attached image(s) |
Spoke |
Feb 8 2007, 12:03 AM
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#6
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
Here's the control assembly with the water valve removed. The entire plunger is visible now.
Attached image(s) |
Spoke |
Feb 8 2007, 12:04 AM
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#7
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
The bracket is screwed onto the water valve studs using the original screws and washers.
The pic shows the plunger in its normal state. Attached image(s) |
Spoke |
Feb 8 2007, 12:07 AM
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#8
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Jerry Group: Members Posts: 7,089 Joined: 29-October 04 From: Allentown, PA Member No.: 3,031 Region Association: None |
And finally with the microswitch mounted. The only thing left to do is run wires from the switch to the pump.
Attached image(s) |
markb |
Feb 8 2007, 01:12 AM
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#9
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914less :( Group: Members Posts: 5,449 Joined: 22-January 03 From: Nipomo, CA Member No.: 180 Region Association: Central California |
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Aaron Cox |
Feb 8 2007, 01:23 AM
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#10
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Professional Lawn Dart Group: Retired Admin Posts: 24,541 Joined: 1-February 03 From: OC Member No.: 219 Region Association: Southern California |
and a 924 wiper switch is IDENTICAL and has the switch built in... (early 924!)
I did it myself. looks stock. switch bolts in.... pull the stalk and it runs the pump. AA |
markb |
Feb 8 2007, 01:32 AM
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#11
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914less :( Group: Members Posts: 5,449 Joined: 22-January 03 From: Nipomo, CA Member No.: 180 Region Association: Central California |
I used the stock switch for mine. No problems.
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736conver |
Feb 8 2007, 01:52 AM
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#12
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,117 Joined: 25-May 03 From: SE Wisconsin Member No.: 736 Region Association: None |
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
924 switch works perfect. Not as cheap as the way you did but its a plug and play. |
So.Cal.914 |
Feb 8 2007, 02:21 AM
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#13
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"...And it has a front trunk too." Group: Members Posts: 6,588 Joined: 15-February 04 From: Low Desert, CA./ Hills of N.J. Member No.: 1,658 Region Association: None |
Very clever.
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John |
Feb 8 2007, 12:11 PM
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#14
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member? what's a member? Group: Members Posts: 3,393 Joined: 30-January 04 From: Evansville, IN (SIRPCA) Member No.: 1,615 Region Association: None |
When I first got my car (nearly 20 years ago), I used a modified door switch and a relay. There was an article in Pano 25-30 years ago. (I'm sure it's in UpFixin somewhere)
I used an old 911 pump. |
Eric_Shea |
Feb 8 2007, 12:32 PM
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#15
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PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,289 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Aa... where's my switch bitch?
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Aaron Cox |
Feb 8 2007, 01:13 PM
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#16
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Professional Lawn Dart Group: Retired Admin Posts: 24,541 Joined: 1-February 03 From: OC Member No.: 219 Region Association: Southern California |
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Eric_Shea |
Feb 8 2007, 02:52 PM
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#17
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PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,289 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Rack has been rechromed. Sitting on my table right now.
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Aaron Cox |
Feb 8 2007, 03:13 PM
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#18
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Professional Lawn Dart Group: Retired Admin Posts: 24,541 Joined: 1-February 03 From: OC Member No.: 219 Region Association: Southern California |
post a pic so i can say "Nice Rack!"
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Eric_Shea |
Feb 8 2007, 03:16 PM
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#19
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PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,289 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Juvi... shouldn't you be searching the Internet for a 924 switch for me? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/w00t.gif) |
BigDBass |
Feb 8 2007, 03:25 PM
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#20
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Dumb Question Champion Group: Members Posts: 1,438 Joined: 11-January 06 From: Chicago (south 'burbs) Member No.: 5,405 Region Association: Upper MidWest |
They seem to have 'em at Pelican for $47.10 new.
Am I interpreting Ahndy's windshield washer conversion correctly that if one has the intermittent wiper option then the stock 914 wiper switch will work with an electric pump? |
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