TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1968~79 VW Type 2 window wiper & washer upgrades

Sun Oct 16, 2022 6:16 am

Naskeet wrote: Ideally, you need to draw a neat schematic diagram of your actual complete windscreen-wiper & washer circuitry; including wiring colours & component terminal labels, plus the standard VW wiring colours that are known to be equivalent to the actual wiring colours of your substitute windscreen-wiper motor.

The best of my many attemps to draw the circuit...

Naskeet wrote: Your switch as illustrated, certainly has five cable connections, of which one appears to be a brown/white cable connected to a terminal 31.

Another attempt to show the 6 wires of my stalk switch BR/WH, BR, BL/Y, BL/GRN, BL, BL/GRY

Belly61 wrote: Pulling up on my stalk is operating the wipers 2-3 strokes and operating the washer pump when I have it connected to the spare S terminal. Washer pump operation stops on release of the stalk and the wipers continue 2-3 strokes.

Naskeet wrote: What do you mean by a “spare S terminal” and on what component is this S terminal?

When you say “Pulling up on my stalk”, do you mean pulling the switch-stalk towards the steering-wheel and away from the floor, or rotating it around the steering-column like the hands of a clock, parallel to the plane of the steering-wheel?

I've been able to dedeuce that upwards vertically on the stalk triggers power to brown 'S' wire while it is held there followed by the 2-3 wipers swipes on release. My spare terminal is just where I've used a 3-way connector to allow that to power my washer pump.

Naskeet wrote: With the original factory-fitted 1973~74 windscreen wiper & washer stalk-switch [VW part No. 211 955 517 A | stalk shaped like a paddle], pulling the switch-stalk towards the steering-wheel and away from the floor (a momentary, non-latching switch function), would operate the non-electrical, air-pressurised windscreen washers by opening the water valve. Releasing the switch-stalk would close the valve. The valve only remains open whilst one’s finger holds the spring-loaded stalk in the open position! I imagine that this stalk pulling & releasing regime, would have the same effect with washers, on the Swedish specification, 1974 VW Type 2, with electrically-pumped windscreen washers and headlamp washers.

Indeed the 501-C switch is used to electrically trigger this wash wiper motion via spring loaded stalk up

Naskeet wrote: To operate a non-standard, simultaneous intermittent wiper & washer facility, one would probably need to make an additional connection to the positive terminal of the windscreen-washer pump, from a different type of wiper-delay relay (i.e. not VW part No. 111 955 531).

To determine the operating characteristics of your existing switch (VW part No. 211-955-501-C), I would suggest that you perform electrical-continuity checks, between all possible pairs of terminals / cables, with the switch’s stalk lever in the OFF position and each of its ON positions; with the switch disconnected from the vehicle’s electrical system. With five switch terminals / cables, there are 10 possible pair-combinations 5C2 (see mathematics of permutations nPr & combinations nCr found on most scientific calculators) of terminals / cables, for each stalk-switch lever position, so that is potentially 40 continuity tests to perform.

I will do this later this afternoon for the 5 positions of the stalk

Belly61 wrote: There is definitely something missing when trying to match different switches to the existing wiring diagrams. I have now sourced a 7-wire switch 211-955-501-D which might help me solve the problem of the wipers never parking. I have found what I think are the correct wiring diagrams for these switches which use the wash/wipe relay and also a standard change over relay. I did think there would be an easy solution for the problem I've experienced but it seems not to be the case...

Naskeet wrote: What are the terminal labels and associated cable colours of your seven terminal / cable stalk-switch [VW part No. 211 955 501 D]?

If for no other reason beyond my own windscreen wiper & washer upgrade ambitions, I hope to gradually compile a reference database, of substitute and supplementary VW, VW-Porsche & Porsche style switches, so that one can select possible alternative switches for various upgrade and accessory-fitment purposes.

I'm still awaiting the arrival of switch 501-D but it appears as the 6 wire with an additional bl/red wire

Naskeet wrote: What are the “correct wiring diagrams for these switches which use the wash/wipe relay and also a standard change over relay” to which you refer?

There was an earlier post in this topic thread, which included a custom-designed electrical circuit using the following components:

• Wiper & washer switch with terminals S, 53, 53A, 53B & 53E
• Wiper motor with terminals 31, 53, 53A, 53B & 53E
• Variable intermittent wiper-delay relay [VW part No. 357 955 531 | plus large number “99” on casing] with terminals I, T, 15, 31, 5M3 & 53S.
• Standard five-terminal changeover relay with terminals 30, 85, 86, 87 & 87A

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8558246#8558246

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/357955531

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265723170403?hash=item3...BM5sCjz_tg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185618722107?hash=item2...R-LAo8_7YA

Accessory-relay types

The design challenge is to create a circuit, which enables one to both operate the windscreen washers manually and have them operate automatically in conjunction with the intermittent wiper facility!

I'll dig out the vanagon and porsche 914 diagrams I found while digging around other samba threads

Naskeet wrote: It might seem a silly / obvious question, but have you previously successfully used the substitute windscreen-wiper motor (with the non-VW/DIN-standard wiring colours) in conjunction with the original 1973~74 VW Type 2 windscreen wiper & washer switch (four terminals / cables – green to terminal 53, black to terminal, black/grey & black/yellow to other terminals in sequence, but the numbers are obscured by the cables!); including the parking function!?!

My spare 1974 model-year VW Type 2 windscreen wiper & washer stalk-switch with water-release valve [paddle-shaped stalk / lever | four terminals / cables – green to terminal 53, plus black, black/grey & black/yellow to other terminals in sequence, whose terminal numbers are obscured by the cables!] which is identical to my original 1973 model-year VW Type 2 stalk-switch.

Recall that the 1973 model-year (third digit of chassis number is 3 for 1973) and 1974 model-year (third digit of chassis number is 4 for 1974), run from 1st August 1972 to 31st July 1973 and 1st August 1973 to 31st July 1974 respectively.

The rectangular, moulded black-plastic part of the switch casing, has vacant slots / holes for additional terminals etc, with one large rectangular-slot marked 31, at one end of the water-valve base, close to terminal 53. There is a small circular-hole labelled S1, plus an unlabelled large rectangular slot and an unlabelled small rectangular slot, but their purpose is unknown.

The metal switch casing is marked: SWF | VW roundel-logo | Made in Germany | LS 201 093 | 211 955 517 A

Yes 2 speed and park work if I switch all my wiring back to the orignal configuration. Seems to point to using the wrong relay or the requirement for an additional relay. For the time being i will wire my swedish tank and washer pump into another remote switch...

Many thanks for the help with this

Regards
Ian

ps I've been re-reading a 14year old thread that you commented on regarding this 501-C switch and a champagne edition bus...Do you have the corresponding circuit diagram for that ?

Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:38 am

Naskeet wrote: What are the terminal labels and associated cable colours of your seven terminal / cable stalk-switch [VW part No. 211 955 501 D]?

If for no other reason beyond my own windscreen wiper & washer upgrade ambitions, I hope to gradually compile a reference database, of substitute and supplementary VW, VW-Porsche & Porsche style switches, so that one can select possible alternative switches for various upgrade and accessory-fitment purposes.

These are the 2 circuits I believe use a similar 7-wire switch 211-955-501-D

Mon Oct 17, 2022 9:58 am

Naskeet wrote: What are the “correct wiring diagrams for these switches which use the wash/wipe relay and also a standard change over relay” to which you refer?

There was an earlier post in this topic thread, which included a custom-designed electrical circuit using the following components:

• Wiper & washer switch with terminals S, 53, 53A, 53B & 53E
• Wiper motor with terminals 31, 53, 53A, 53B & 53E
• Variable intermittent wiper-delay relay [VW part No. 357 955 531 | plus large number “99” on casing] with terminals I, T, 15, 31, 5M3 & 53S.
• Standard five-terminal changeover relay with terminals 30, 85, 86, 87 & 87A

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8558246#8558246

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/357955531

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265723170403?hash=item3...BM5sCjz_tg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185618722107?hash=item2...R-LAo8_7YA

Accessory-relay types

The design challenge is to create a circuit, which enables one to both operate the windscreen washers manually and have them operate automatically in conjunction with the intermittent wiper facility!

My 7-wire switch arrived today from Germany. It has the standard 4 wires plus brown, brown/white & black/red. This black/red is receiving power from black/grey with the lever it the sprung loaded pull up position. Brown (S1) wire is also mimicing this. I'm now in the process of setting everything up on my desk according to the aussie veedub circuit you posted. I have a change over relay with 87a and intermittent relay 321 955 531. Now just awaiting the arrival of a decent terminal removal tool to take the 5 wires out of my fuse box...

Mon Oct 17, 2022 11:17 am

NASkeet wrote: To determine the operating characteristics of your existing switch (VW part No. 211-955-501-C), I would suggest that you perform electrical-continuity checks, between all possible pairs of terminals / cables, with the switch’s stalk lever in the OFF position and each of its ON positions; with the switch disconnected from the vehicle’s electrical system. With five switch terminals / cables, there are 10 possible pair-combinations 5C2 (see mathematics of permutations nPr & combinations nCr found on most scientific calculators) of terminals / cables, for each stalk-switch lever position, so that is potentially 40 continuity tests to perform.

An estimate of only 40 continuity tests might have been a little optimistic! :oops: :shock: :roll: Assuming the combination windscreen wiper & washer switch stalk could be in four different positions (intermittent, off, slow & fast) for the wiper function, and two different positions (off & on) for the washer function, there are a total of 8 possible positions for the switch-stalk, so there would be 8 x 10 = 80 continuity tests to perform.

washer – off | wiper – intermittent
washer – off | wiper – off
washer – off | wiper – slow
washer – off | wiper – fast

washer – on | wiper – intermittent
washer – on | wiper – off
washer – on | wiper – slow
washer – on | wiper – fast

Wed Oct 19, 2022 10:38 am

Under conditions of drizzle, mist or fog, when use of intermittent wipers is appropriate, there is probably little if any road-surface water, so it’s debatable whether one needs automatic deployment of the windscreen washers, each time the intermittent wipers operate. Having an easily-accessible, stalk-switch for the windscreen washers, it takes little if any extra effort or distraction to manually operate windscreen-washers when the need for them is perceived!

Belly61 wrote: My 7-wire switch arrived today from Germany. It has the standard 4 wires plus brown, brown/white & black/red. This black/red is receiving power from black/grey with the lever it the sprung loaded pull up position. Brown (S1) wire is also mimicing this. I'm now in the process of setting everything up on my desk according to the aussie veedub circuit you posted. I have a change over relay with 87a and intermittent relay 321 955 531. Now just awaiting the arrival of a decent terminal removal tool to take the 5 wires out of my fuse box...

Removing latched male or female spade connectors, or other types of connectors, commonly requires only simple, readily available tools, such as a narrow screw-driver blade (e.g. electrical or instrument screwdriver), pointed scissors’ blade or defunct wiper-blade steel reinforcement strip that has been filed, to gently lever back the retaining tangs / barbs. I have done this many times, with a variety of different connector blocks, relay blocks and fuse cum relay boxes, from various marques & models of vehicles. I have also reclaimed and reused many crimped connectors.

In the past, I have salvaged many changeover relays from cars at local car breakers’ yards. Austin Montegos were a particularly good source of changeover relays, as they were universally used as conventional accessory relays. Some Ford cars have also been a reasonably good source.

Belly61 wrote: Another attempt to show the 6 wires of my stalk switch BR/WH, BR, BL/Y, BL/GRN, BL, BL/GRY

Colour photographs can be useful, but sometimes the colour rendition is less than perfect, owing to light reflecting off glossy surfaces, dependent upon the light’s colour-temperature and direction of illumination, can make it difficult to properly identify some colours and/or distinguish between some different colours.

I am provisionally assuming the following, but be wary of using any abbreviations for wiring colours that you haven’t defined in a nearby key.

BR/WH = brown / white
BR = brown
BL/Y = black / yellow, but could be blue / yellow
BL/GRN = black / green, but could be blue / green
BL = black, but could be blue
BL/GRY = black / grey, but could be blue / grey

If you are going to mess about with German electrical-circuit wiring diagrams, it might be wise to learn the German words and abbreviations for wiring colours, which is what would commonly be used in the Haynes manuals and official Volkswagen-workshop manuals, for vehicles of German origin such as Audi, BMW, DKW, Hanomag (taken over by Daimler-Benz), Mercedes (i.e. Daimler-Benz), NSU (taken over by VW-Audi) & Opel [aka Vauxhall], Volkswagen and Wartburg

BL = blau in German or blue in English
BR = braun in German or brown in English
GE = gelb in German or yellow in English
GN = grün in German or green in English
GR = grau in German or grey in English
HBL = hell blau in German or pale / light blue in English
HGN = hell grün in German or pale / light green in English
LI = lila / lilafarbe in German or lilac in English
OR? = orangefarbe / orangegelb / rötlich gelb in German or orange in English
RO or RT = rot in German or red in English
SW = schwarz in German or black in English
VI = violett in German or violet in English
WS = weiss [incorporating the double-s “ss” character which looks like the lower-case Greek letter “beta”, might be preferable, if one can use the SYMBOL font for “b”] in German or white in English

Ingrid Bauer, German Spelling: When to Use s, ss or ß, 9th September 2018

https://www.thoughtco.com/when-to-use-s-ss-1445262

It also helps to be familiar with words of technical German (the ultra-long, multi-part compound words can be quite daunting!), when reading the key for the wiring diagrams or trawling for replacement-parts, substitute-parts and/or accessories on German E-bay, which is how I obtained my cheap NOS VDO Cockpit -30~0~30A ammeter.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/german_english_translations.php

Just as there are various dialects & spellings of ENGLISH [such as the United Kingdom’s regional dialects (I spoke Dundonian English during my childhood), plus American-English, Canadian-English, Australian-English, New-Zealand-English, South-African-English etc], there are also various regional and national dialects of GERMAN, including High-German, Low-German, Northern-German, Southern-German, Austrian-German and Swiss-German.

For example, the citrus fruit we describe as an “orange” in British-English, is known as “apfelsine” in Northern-German and as “orange” [albeit with a different pronunciation!] in Southern-German & Austrian-German, and possibly also Swiss-German. Even my 1969, 619-page, 12th Edition, Cassell’s German-English | English-German dictionary (needed for my four years of study up to GCE “O” Level at secondary school during 1968~72) does not always give clear, unequivocal translations of words, even when the context is known.

Belly61 wrote: p.s. I've been re-reading a 14 year old thread that you commented on regarding this 501-C switch and a champagne edition bus... Do you have the corresponding circuit diagram for that?

Apart from what is in my Haynes [1968~72 VW 1600 & 1972~75 VW 17/1800 Type 2 and VW 411/412] and Robert Bentley [1968~71 VW 1600 & 1972~79 VW 17/18/2000 Type 2] manuals, plus access to The Samba Technical (Wiring) Archive, I don’t have any other VW or Porsche electrical-circuit wiring diagrams.

I also have electrical-circuit wiring diagrams in a recycled, 1991 edition Haynes manual, for the FWD 1980~84 Opel Kadett D; the alter-ego of the early-1980s FWD Vauxhall Astra Mk.1, of which the estate-car version was the donor-car of my VW Type 2’s rear-window wiper system. Someday, I hope to work out whether I can use the salvaged front & rear window-wiper intermittent delay relays, but it will depend upon compatibility with the VW Type 2 steering-column mounted and dashboard-mounted, combination windscreen wiper & washer switches.

Given that I have difficulty remembering which topic threads I commented upon last month, it’s extremely unlikely that I would remember which topic threads I might have commented upon a year ago, yet alone several or 14 years ago! If you want to draw people’s attention to a particular topic thread and/or post, it would be helpful to quote “chapter & verse” (i.e. forum, topic title, topic URL link & post URL link), so that they can easily go back and check. People’s willingness to help, tends to be inversely proportional to the amount of effort they need to expend.

Fri Oct 21, 2022 12:29 pm

Belly61 wrote: Yes 2 speed and park work if I switch all my wiring back to the orignal configuration. Seems to point to using the wrong relay or the requirement for an additional relay. For the time being I will wire my swedish tank and washer pump into another remote switch...

Based upon my early experiences prior to late-1982, of having the original factory-fitted, dashboard-mounted, windscreen wiper & washer switch in my 1974 Triumph Toledo 1300 “HL Special”, I would not recommend it, especially under night-time conditions when one loses all vision through the windscreen, after suddenly being swamped by dirt-laden spray from the wheels of passing lorries, coaches & buses; requiring immediate use of both the wipers & washers to clear the windscreen. Driving under such conditions was so much safer and less stressful, when I substituted the steering-column mounted, windscreen wiper & washer stalk-switch from a Triumph Dolomite.

Board index > The Triumph Dolomite Club > Dolomite-related [Start here!] > 40+ Years With A 1974 Triumph Toledo 1300 “HL Special”

https://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=29933&p=335502#p335502

Board index » The Triumph Dolomite Club » Dolomite-related [Start here!] » Triumph Toledo / Dolomite, Front & Rear Window, Wiper & Washer Upgrades

https://forum.triumphdolomite.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=37150&p=340975#p340975

I have yet to substitute into my British specification, RHD – right-hand drive, 1973 VW “1600” Type 2, the Swedish specification, 1974~79 VW Type 2, black-plastic, 8•0 litre capacity, combination windscreen & headlamp washer tank and electric water-pumps that I purchased in December 2019. So far, I have yet to learn exactly where the large headlamp-washer pump should be mounted.

Being RHD, with the steering column in the way, it’s less easy than with LHD, to gain access to remove the original spot-welded, back-to-front, C-shaped bracket, used to mount the original lozenge-shape, white-plastic, air-pressurised, windscreen-washer reservoir. Ideally, I would like to remove the spot-welded C-shaped bracket, without damaging either it or the underlying bodywork. Removal of the vertical kickboard-retaining strip on the cab-door pillar (i.e. A-pillar), will probably involve destroying it and carefully grinding smooth the spot-welds, to avoid damaging the cab-door pillar, which will then need repainting.

Noting that the combined “weight” of the 8•0 litre capacity, Swedish washer tank when full of water would exceed 8•0 kg, I wonder whether a few more fixing screws in the lower-edge & right-hand-edge of the washer tank might be beneficial.

What was your experience of making preparations to substitute the Swedish washer tank?

Fri Oct 21, 2022 1:13 pm

NASkeet wrote: I have yet to substitute into my British specification, RHD – right-hand drive, 1973 VW “1600” Type 2, the Swedish specification, 1974~79 VW Type 2, black-plastic, 8•0 litre capacity, combination windscreen & headlamp washer tank and electric water-pumps that I purchased in December 2019. So far, I have yet to learn exactly where the large headlamp-washer pump should be mounted.

Here are some photos of my original purchase with what I think are the original hoses etc. Given the shortish legth of the electrical power wiring and almost identical length of the water hoses the large pump must be located quite close to centrally behind the panel or heating duct...
the top right cloth reinforced hose is the feed that joins the tank under the bottom left. large pump has to be within 4-6 inches of the small one closer to the centre of the vehicle ...

NASkeet wrote: Being RHD, with the steering column in the way, it’s less easy than with LHD, to gain access to remove the original spot-welded, back-to-front, C-shaped bracket, used to mount the original lozenge-shape, white-plastic, air-pressurised, windscreen-washer reservoir. Ideally, I would like to remove the spot-welded C-shaped bracket, without damaging either it or the underlying bodywork. Removal of the vertical kickboard-retaining strip on the cab-door pillar (i.e. A-pillar), will probably involve destroying it and carefully grinding smooth the spot-welds, to avoid damaging the cab-door pillar, which will then need repainting.

Noting that the combined “weight” of the 8•0 litre capacity, Swedish washer tank when full of water would exceed 8•0 kg, I wonder whether a few more fixing screws in the lower-edge & right-hand-edge of the washer tank might be beneficial.

What was your experience of making preparations to substitute the Swedish washer tank?

I did a test fit of the full water tank and managed to slot it behind the existing front panel retaining lip on the door pillar. Seemed quite secure but I must admit I havent driven anywhere with it in place yet.

Regards
Ian

Fri Oct 21, 2022 4:17 pm

NASkeet wrote: I have yet to substitute into my British specification, RHD – right-hand drive, 1973 VW “1600” Type 2, the Swedish specification, 1974~79 VW Type 2, black-plastic, 8•0 litre capacity, combination windscreen & headlamp washer tank and electric water-pumps that I purchased in December 2019. So far, I have yet to learn exactly where the large headlamp-washer pump should be mounted.

Being RHD, with the steering column in the way, it’s less easy than with LHD, to gain access to remove the original spot-welded, back-to-front, C-shaped bracket, used to mount the original lozenge-shape, white-plastic, air-pressurised, windscreen-washer reservoir. Ideally, I would like to remove the spot-welded C-shaped bracket, without damaging either it or the underlying bodywork. Removal of the vertical kickboard-retaining strip on the cab-door pillar (i.e. A-pillar), will probably involve destroying it and carefully grinding smooth the spot-welds, to avoid damaging the cab-door pillar, which will then need repainting.

Noting that the combined “weight” of the 8•0 litre capacity, Swedish washer tank when full of water would exceed 8•0 kg, I wonder whether a few more fixing screws in the lower-edge & right-hand-edge of the washer tank might be beneficial.

What was your experience of making preparations to substitute the Swedish washer tank?

There are also 3 pictures of a swedish bus that I believe you posted. One the picture showing the water tank in place you can see that the panel on the opposite side looks very similar. I would guess at there being 2 posts to slide the large water pump bracket over on the left sided panel

This is the thread title

M-288 Factory headlight washer system?

Tue Oct 25, 2022 11:41 am

Belly61 wrote: There are also 3 pictures of a swedish bus that I believe you posted. One the picture showing the water tank in place you can see that the panel on the opposite side looks very similar. I would guess at there being 2 posts to slide the large water pump bracket over on the left sided panel

This is the thread title

M-288 Factory headlight washer system?

I am already quite well acquainted with the aforementioned topic thread, having sporadically contributed to it over the past several years, including questions I posed about 2¾ years ago, on Thursday, 23rd January 2020, about the retro-fitment process pertaining to a RHD – right-hand drive vehicle.

Posted on Thursday, 23rd January 2020 @ 4:41 pm

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9259872#9259872

NASkeet wrote: I have been investigating the fitment of the large, 8 litre black-plastic water tank in my RIGHT-HAND DRIVE, 1973 model-year VW "1600" Type 2. It appears that in order to fit it, I shall need to remove the fixed, interior-body-colour painted, left-hand support-bracket (below the right-hand hot-air outlet) for the existing lozenge-shaped, air-pressurised windscreen-washer reservoir.

I would have expected this left-hand support-bracket to have been welded to the bodywork, but I can see no tell-tale crater-shaped signs of spot welding. How is the support-bracket attached and what methods have people used to remove it; ideally without damaging either the bodywork or support-bracket.

I shall probably never want to replace the original lozenge-shaped, air-pressurised windscreen-washer reservoir, but to be on the safe side, I would prefer to avoid significantly damaging the support-bracket, just in case I ever need to reinstall it!

Bearing in mind that I have a RIGHT-HAND DRIVE, 1973 model-year VW "1600" Type 2, whose steering column is on the same side as the washer reservoir/tank, is it necessary or desirable to temporarily remove the central, vertical hot-air distribution duct & hot-air outlets, in order to install the 8 litre black-plastic water tank, windscreen-washer pump, headlamp-washer pump and hoses etc?

Given that I have a 1973 model-year VW "1600" Type 2, I would need the steering-column mounted, windscreen wiper & washer switch from a Swedish specification, 1974 model-year VW Type 2; those from the 1975~79 model-years being incompatible with my steering column.

Does anyone know the appropriate part number for the Swedish specification, 1974 model-year VW Type 2 windscreen wiper & washer switch!?! If push comes to shove, I could probably modify my spare British specification, 1973~74 model-years VW Type 2 windscreen wiper & washer switch, by substituting a micro-switch & custom-made installation bracket, in place of the existing water release valve.

Whilst I was at the Essex VW Club Show, at Dunton, Essex, England, sometime during the late-1990s, I came across the British-registered (1973/74 registration number WHJ 504 M), Swedish specification, red 1974 VW 1600 Type 2 minibus (i.e. Kombi, Microbus or Deluxe Microbus) belonging to Paul Miller (proprietor of “Harry Harpic’s” independent VW & Porsche workshop in southeast Essex), which I photographed with my late-1970s vintage, Olympus OM2, 35 mm format, SLR camera. It was a scanned, grey-scale triplet of these colour photographs that I posted in the aforementioned topic thread.

www.harryharpics.com

Paul Miller’s Swedish specification, red 1974 VW 1600 Type 2

Belly61 wrote: I did a test fit of the full water tank and managed to slot it behind the existing front panel retaining lip on the door pillar. Seemed quite secure but I must admit I haven’t driven anywhere with it in place yet.

You omitted to mention that although you are located in Great Britain [i.e. Kingdom of Fife, Scotland] your 1974 VW 1600 or 1800 Type 2 is LHD – left-hand drive; potentially being of either European or North American specification!

The Kingdom of Fife is home to the World’s most famous golf course at St. Andrew’s, where the main site of Scotland’s oldest university, St. Andrew’s, is also to be found. During my childhood, I lived close to the World’s second most famous golf course, close to Dundee, at Carnoustie, in Angus, Scotland.

Lochgelly, in the Kingdom of Fife, is the location of John J. Dick Leather Goods, which was the principal manufacturer & supplier of the tawse, a two or three tongued leather strap, which was supplied to the class-teachers of all Scottish primary & secondary schools, for the administration of corporal punishment to pupils of all ages, as I know from personal experience during 1961~65, at Ancrum Road School, Lochee, Dundee.

www.ancrumroad.ea.dundeecity.sch.uk

Infliction of corporal punishment was the norm, even for minor infractions such as not paying attention, chatting in class, scraping a chair-leg on the floor, failing to do one’s homework, getting a classwork question wrong or performing badly in tests. This involved using a tawse to strike the palm of an outstretched palm. I shudder to think what fate befell those souls who were sent to the headmaster for more serious infractions, such as answering back to one’s teacher!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39044445

My father studied medicine during 1956~62, at Queen’s College, St. Andrew’s University, in Dundee, Scotland. Scotland is World famous for medical education, where historically 90% of Europe’s physicians received their medical training.

https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/24f79afb-636a-33cc-ad70-c67da7a06ec0

https://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6rs6xts

Cuthbert Sebastian, the onetime governor general of St. Kitts, St. Nevis & Anguilla, who died in 2017 at the age of 95, undertook his fellowship in obstetrics in Dundee, where at the same time my father was taking his postgraduate diploma in obstetrics. We paid him an unscheduled visit in St. Kitts in 1973, during our summer holiday in the West Indies. I don’t recall seeing any 1968~79 VW Type 2s there, but we did get to tour St. Kitts in a 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuthbert_Sebastian

http://pridenews.ca/2017/03/30/national-day-mourni...r-general/

http://www.sknpulse.com/sir-cuthbert-montraville-sebastian-a-giant-of-a-man/

I anticipate that it would have been very much easier to retro-fit the large 8•0 litre capacity water tank into a LHD VW Type 2 than into a RHD – right-hand drive VW Type 2, owing to the relative positions of the steering column!

So far as I have been able to determine, the Swedish water tank, is normally held in place against the door-pillar by three self-tapping screws (sheet-metal screws in USA parlance!) and two flat clips at the bottom, that are shown as Items 7, 8 & 9 in the 1968~79 VW Type 2 parts microfiche.

I wasn’t sure whether it would be possible to slide the right-hand edge of the water tank, into the original kickboard retaining strip on the right-hand front door pillar, but in many ways it would probably be preferable to removing it and drilling holes in the door-pillar. With your present trial fitment, I fear that the tank could easily start bouncing around, once you start driving on poorly-surfaced British & European roads, punctuated by speed-humps, potholes, ruts & corrugations.

Hence, I think it might be wise to somehow anchor the left-hand & bottom edges of the tank, to prevent this happening. I suspect there is scope to drill some holes in the tank’s bottom vertical flange, through which one could screw some large self-tapping screws or M6 machine-screws; the latter of which would require captive M6 nuts or M6 threaded plates bonded to the reverse-side of the bodywork, which is what I did for the VW 411/412 Variant window-washer reservoir’s home-made mounting bracket on the other side.

I didn’t receive any water-hoses or electrical wiring loom with the water-tank, water-pumps & over-riders, so I have no reference dimensions to indicate where the headlamp-washer pump might be mounted. The absence of a small spigot on the water tank, but the presence of a small spigot on the inlet side of the headlamp-washer pump, suggests that there would be a small-bore hose connection between the inlet spigots of both the headlamp-washer pump and windscreen-washer pump.

My headlamp-washer pump has a mounting bracket, but there is nothing to indicate whether it should be mounted with the motor’s rotor-axis horizontal, vertical or tilted at some angle. My intuition suggests that the axes of the two circa ½-inch diameter water-hose spigots, would probably best by orientated horizontally, to minimise strain on the plastic spigots and hoses. So far, I haven’t found any clear description or pictures, indicating where the headlamp-washer pump might be located!

Bay Window Bus > M-288 Factory headlight washer system?

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=306431

The required or possible positions of the large, headlamp-washer pump is of concern, because of the existing non-standard equipment & custom wiring loom, that I have behind and/or below the right-hand & left-hand kickboards; including the fanfare air-horns’ air-compressor and the VW 411/412 Variant, 1•65 litre capacity, air-pressurised window-washer reservoir, for my rear-window washers. My substitute, home-made, custom wiring loom, has about six times more cables than the original factory-fitted wiring loom, to serve the supplementary instrumentation and various electrical accessories.

My right-hand drive, 1973 VW Type 2 cab (left-hand side), featuring the VW 411/412 Variant windscreen-washer reservoir, fanfare air-horn’s air-compressor and substitute Vauxhall Cavalier fuse cum relay box with additional plastic blade-fuse and relay positions.

Checking the inflation-pressure and/or topping-up the air in air-pressurised, windscreen-washer reservoirs, of air-cooled Volkswagens, is often far from easy or convenient. This was certainly true of my RHD – right-hand drive, 1973 VW “1600” Type 2 Kombi based Westfalia Continental motor-caravan, whose factory-fitted windscreen-washer reservoir is inconveniently positioned behind the steering column.

In bygone years, I had resorted to hand-operating a foot-pump (with integral air-pressure gauge), resting on the floor of the front cab, to pressurise the windscreen-washer reservoir, but this was physically awkward and I had to take precautions to avoid damaging the cab-floor’s rubber mat. Consequently, I eventually fabricated an extension inflation-hose, which allowed me to foot-operate the foot-pump resting on the ground outside the cab.

Nigel Skeet, "Tyre Inflator Extension Hose", Transporter Talk, Issue 27, February 1997, Page 19.

Forum Index > Accessories/Memorabilia/Toys > Benefits of Schräder Valve Extension Hoses & Fittings

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=773090

The physical contortions required to hand-operate a foot-pump on a LHD – left-hand drive 1968~79 VW Type 2 are probably less taxing, owing to the greater accessibility of the front-windscreen-washer reservoir; as is the case with the rear-window-washer reservoir (ex VW 411/412 Variant | retro-fitted during the early-1990s, as part of the rear-window wiper & washer system), mounted on the left-hand side of the cab, in my RHD 1973 VW Type 2 Kombi!

Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:34 am

Transporter Talk Magazine – Items re Window Wipers & Washers – Part 1

During the period late-1995 to December 2014, when I was a member of the nationwide VWT2OC - Volkswagen Type 2 Owners’ Club (founded during the early-1990s) in Great Britain, five items pertaining to windscreen wiper and/or washer “upgrades” were published in the bi-monthly magazine Transporter Talk as follows:

Nigel Skeet, "1968~79 VW Type 2 Rear Window Wiper” [modifying & fitting a pantograph rear wiper system], Transporter Talk, Issue 25, October 1996, Pages 23~24. Also later published as Technical Information Sheet Topic 15: Rear Wiper Modifications, Pages 1~3.

Bryan Rawlings, "Letter to the Editors” [alternative approach to modifying & fitting a pantograph rear wiper system], Transporter Talk, Issue 30, August 1997, Pages 37~38. Also later published as part of Technical Information Sheet Topic 15: Rear Wiper Modifications, Page 4.

Ken Holmes, "Letter to the Editor” [VW Type 2 (1973~74 or 1975~79?) windscreen wiper & washer stalk-switch 211 955 501 C, with traditional pneumatic valve and electrical switching for electrically-pumped windscreen washers], Transporter Talk, Issue 37, October 1998, Pages 33~34.

Frank Wognam, "Sick and Tyred of the Windscreen Washer” [electrically-pumped, modified 1973~74 VW Type 2 windscreen washer system], Transporter Talk, Issue 44, December 1999, Pages 10~13. Also later published as Technical Information Sheet Topic 18 (should be Topic 19!?!): Electric Washers on a Bay.

Dave Bishop, "Letters to the Editor" [creating intermittent wash/wipe facility, in a 1975 VW Type 2, using VW Type 25 components], Transporter Talk, Issue 84, August 2006, Page 44.

Details of the first two, about retro-fitting a cross-over-arm pantograph rear-window wiper, written by myself & Bryan Rawlings, which were published in October 1996 & August 1997 respectively, I have previously mentioned in this topic thread.

My two-page, A5 page-format (half the area of A4 page-format) article in the October 1996 issue of Transporter Talk, published about 6½ years after I developed the system, is fundamentally the same as the two-page, A4 page-format (297 mm x 210 mm) article that was later published in the December 1996 issue of VWM – VW Motoring magazine, except that I got paid the princely sum of £60 for writing & illustrating the VWM article, which also incorporates many more pictures, for which there was insufficient space in Transporter Talk, so there is probably little useful purpose in scanning or transcribing it.

Nigel Skeet, "A Clean Sweep", Workshop, VW Motoring, December 1996, Pages 85~86.

Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:40 am

Transporter Talk Magazine – Items re Window Wipers & Washers – Part 2

Bryan Rawlings' short letter, included a single, small exterior-view photograph, which I later scanned and posted several years ago in this topic thread.

Quote: It is rumoured that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. In which case, I should be flattered by the fact that Brian Rawlings, from Keynsham, Bristol, England, also elected in 1997, to a retro-fit a cross-over-arm, pantograph rear-window wiper, to his own 1968~79 VW Type 2 Devon campervan, as shown below, after reading one of my technical articles:

Bryan Rawlings, "Letter to the Editors” [alternative approach to modifying & fitting a pantograph rear wiper system], Transporter Talk, Issue 30, August 1997, Pages 37~38. Also later published as part of Technical Information Sheet Topic 15: Rear Wiper Modifications, Page 4.

« Dear Ralph »

« I was very interested to read Nigel Skeet’s article in the October 1996 issue of Transporter Talk. It is an excellent idea to use the unusual configuration of the Vauxhall Astra Mk.1 estate or equivalent rear wiper to fit the particularly long and narrow rear window of the 1968~79 VW Type 2. »

« However, I would question the need for his elaborate modifications. I have fitted one of these wipers which I obtained from a local scrap yard for a tenner complete with an eleven inch blade from another car. All you need to do is to make a block of metal or plastic about 10 x 20 x 25 mm with two holes drilled in it – one to bolt one end between the “attachment ears” which are left after you cut the old blade off, and one to fix the new blade using its pop-out plastic adjustment pin (discard the clip). »

« I mounted the wiper just below the bulge on the back door. That was playing safe – it could have gone ½” a lower. To wipe the maximum area, fit it as low as you dare. Set the blade a bit to the left of the arm to get even lower. »

« Inside the door, fix everything in line and very securely. You may need to bolt a spacer between the two half arms that link the motor to the mechanism to keep them in line. That’s it in a nutshell. »

« I enclose a photograph. You will see that I set it to park on the right side as it parks more neatly that way round. If you are stuck, send me a S.A.E. and I’ll send you some sketches. »

« Bryan Raylings, 45 Nunney Close, Keynsham, Bristol, BS18 1XG. »

Bryan Rawlings’ reluctance to lengthen the secondary wiper arm, forced him to locate the wiper-spindle closer to the bodywork bulge below the window, because the wiper blade would consequently not be parallel to the bottom of the window at both the left-hand & right-hand limits of the wiper’s sweep. It also obliged him to use an 11 inch rather than a 12 inch wiper blade for the 332 mm (i.e. 13•1 inch) high window (i.e. separation between central, top & bottom sections of the rubber seal); reducing the swept area by 16%.

One certainly could NOT have used the Vauxhall Astra’s original 359 mm (i.e. 14•1 inch) long SWF rear-window wiper blade, which would have been significantly more than 27 mm too long!

My rear-window wiper blade is actually 314 mm (i.e. 12•36 inches) long, giving 18 mm (i.e. nearly ¾-inch) of “wiggle-space” between the top & bottom of the rubber seal. A 320 mm (i.e. 12•6 inch) wiper blade would probably be the longest that it would still be practical to use, giving 12 mm (i.e. nearly ½-inch) of “wiggle-space”, but it’s debatable whether wiper blades of this length are available!?!

The depth of his wiper-blade mounting block, would also affect the orientation of the wiper blade, which in turn would determine the extent by which the secondary wiper arm would need to be lengthened, had Bryan Rawlings chosen this option. Although the cuboid wiper-blade mounting block, would be a simple, practical way of fitting the wiper blade to the short pantograph link, it’s doubtful whether it would have a factory-fitted appearance, and fitting & removal of the wiper-blade would be less straightforward!

Having the wiper-spindle in a high position, adjacent to the bodywork bulge, would also oblige one to mount the motor on the left-hand side, and take up more space inside the rear hatch owing to the motor’s required orientation, as well as making it more difficult to create an interior trim-panel to cover the motor & wiper-mechanism.

These and other critical interdependent factors, were things I had investigated in detail, which is why installation required precise, unambiguous, detailed instructions, even for a skilled & experienced automotive technician, to avoid the several potential disasters I had identified!

Bryan Rawlings, was then a fellow member of the VWT2OC, who had read my October 1996 article in Transporter Talk. After sourcing a second-hand Vauxhall Astra Mk.1 estate-car’s complete rear-window wiper system at very modest cost (circa £10 in 1997 I believe!) from one of his local car breaker’s yards in the Bristol area, he had telephoned me to enquire about the comprehensive modification & installation manual that I had then recently prepared, as an extra-mural exercise during my Employment Service funded, part-time course in desktop publishing, which he naïvely believed I was willing to provide FREE of charge or at simply the cost of photocopying & postage.

Having spent considerable time & effort, plus the expense of photographic film & developing, carefully documenting, illustrating & explaining the required modification & installation procedures, including warnings about the necessity of precise sequential operations & measurement to ensure correct alignment of the wiper-blade, I didn’t feel inclined to provide this vital information free of charge; especially as I then only had sporadic part-time (i.e. average of about 5 hours per week) private-tuition work as my main source of income.

Thu Oct 27, 2022 9:50 am

Transporter Talk Magazine – Items re Window Wipers & Washers – Part 3

Ken Holmes, "Letter to the Editor” [VW Type 2 (1973~74 or 1975~79?) windscreen wiper & washer stalk-switch 211 955 501 C, with traditional pneumatic valve and electrical switching for electrically-pumped windscreen washers], Transporter Talk, Issue 37, October 1998, Pages 33~34.

« Dear Ralph »

« New owners may well be unaware of this little gem. »

« In 1987 my wife leapt up into the driving seat kneeing the wash/wipe lever and breaking the switch block. The new switch unit No. 211-955-501C was bought from a VW main dealer for £32. It came complete with the hydraulic valve for the washer wipes. »

« The whole switch was popped in with its two fixing screws, and wires and hoses connected, but two wires were surplus to the original fitting so I taped them up and ignored them for 11 years. »

« I had recently set out on a mucky wet motorway journey and the windscreen washer jets quickly faded to a dribble. Typical, on a motorway, loads of crap from wheel-spray and not a enough wet to wipe with. I’d only topped up and pumped the system two days before. Even if I stop at a services I can’t access the washer filler … then pump ‘em up … then 20 minutes later … dead again. That’s it, keep the originality, I’m definitely fitting an electric pump! »

« For 25 years I’ve periodically had leak hunts, replaced bits of pipe, tank gaskets, water valves that decide to empty the tank over your knees on a long journey, constantly changing pressure – it’s never right is it … either hitting the top of the screen or dribbling derisively under the wiper blade sweep. IT’S ALL OVER NOW! »

« I already had an old Ford washer tank nicely slim and rectangular, incorporating its own pump/motor unit and known to fit nicely behind the driver’s trim board in place of the VW cylinder tank. It didn’t get fitted years ago because I didn’t want a separate toggle switch to work the washer, and of course it’s not ‘original’ is it. »

« Anyway, to get finally and painfully to the point. In looking for a suitable power source for the new washer motor, I noticed the two taped wires again. I checked them with the ignition off and on, nothing. So they must be energised by the lever. All three wiper positions registered zero on my voltmeter. There was only one lever movement untried but that was the washer valve operation – well that’s ridiculous but try it anyway. BINGO. Twelve volts, I can’t believe it is a water valve lever!!! I re-checked, I even disbelievingly quickly wired the Ford pump/tank unit which buzzed away on cue. »

« There you have it! The switch is already designed and incorporated into the wash/wipe lever assembly and who knows this? You can even use your old tank – just position a water pump somewhere convenient. »

« I was so pleased with the little phenomenon my wife suggested we buy another wash/wipe lever assembly as a spare. My local supplier said that the part number is no longer listed on the parts data base but on checking on a written list he found two left in stock. I bought one at £34 plus VAT and it still carried a water valve – which I happily removed. »

« So … has your van got this wash/wipe lever? If not, get one today from the VW parts suppliers and pattern parts suppliers or even the breakers. Check it first! The part number is as stated, it’s a German part and has six wires with spade connections. Test it first by putting a meter between the grey/black wire (power to switch) and longest brown wire (power to washer pump) and operate wash lever for a circuit. »

« Chuck out the old pipes and valves and get a constant high pressure gush every time … Enjoy! »

« Ken Holmes. Romford. »

« P.S. Ralph, I hope you accept this as a reader letter. It got a bit drawn out but I think it’s a hell of a discovery and so excellent to keep the wash/wipe all on one stalk. If you want, I can, at a later date, do a graphic illustration showing modified tank installation. »

« Thanks Ken, a useful ‘Discovery’ (and not from Rover) please send the illustration so I can use it in an Info Sheet.

« Ralph »

I can certainly relate to Ken Holmes’s observations about the variability of windscreen-washer, water-jet aiming, associated with the variation in the reservoir’s inflation pressure, even with a perfectly functioning system, having no water or air leaks! The location of the factory-fitted, washer-jet units with adjustable ball-nozzles, also makes it extremely difficult to aim the jets, to give effective distribution of water over the front windscreen glass.

This is why in the mid-1980s, I substituted Swedish made, SVD/SWW wash-wiper blades, which are insensitive to the variation in reservoir inflation pressure or electrically-pumped pressure; providing excellent, smear-free water distribution under all driving conditions, apart from when the washer-fluid froze during abnormally cold weather.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/svd_sww_wash_wiper_blades_sweden.php

As is often the case with VW Type 2 owners, including many members of the VWT2OC, Ken Holmes omitted to mention which model-year of VW Transporter he possessed or give any details of its chassis number, but given that it had a steering-column mounted stalk-switch and air-pressurised windscreen washers, I presume it was either of 1973~74 model-years or 1975~79 model-years. His reference in late-1998 to “25 years of leak hunts” suggests that it might be of 1973~74 model-years, but I don’t have much faith in that supposition!

Wishing to contact Ken Holmes, to find out more about the windscreen wiper & washer switch and the model-year of his vehicle, I telephoned the VWT2OC membership secretary, to ask for Ken’s contact details, which he/she would not divulge, supposedly owing to the legal restrictions associated with the Data Protection Act!

Knowing that Ken Holmes lived in Romford, Essex, I trawled through copies of the British Telecom telephone directories for Romford and the surrounding area, held at my local public library, in which I found listed details for a K. R. Holmes, at 37 Havering Road, Romford with telephone number 01 708 – 768 447. Sadly, that telephone number no longer appeared to be in service!

Sadly, no further details (including any “graphic illustration”) of Ken Holmes’s electrically-pumped windscreen washers were ever published, either in future issues of Transporter Talk or any of the Technical Information Sheets, of which I believe I have a complete set.

The VW part No. 211-955-501-C, cited by Ken Holmes, is identical to that cited by Ian Bell (aka “Belly61”) regarding his 1974 VW Type 2, in the following posts:

Belly61 wrote: I've taken this route recently. Replaced my original switch with a 211-955-501-C version with 6 wires via a 5 pin wiper relay. I've branched off S1 to also power my swedish water tank washer pump.

I have found a problem with the wiper still moving intermittently while in the park position that I'm looking back over!! Belly61 wrote: y61"] For some unknown reason the 31 switch wire doesn’t seem to be labelled on any circuit diagram. Here is the back of my switch where terminal numbers are visible. I'm having trouble finding a circuit corresponding to this switch. 211-955-501-C

Thu Oct 27, 2022 10:01 am

Transporter Talk Magazine – Items re Window Wipers & Washers – Part 4

Dave Bishop, "Letters to the Editor" [creating intermittent wash/wipe facility, in a 1975 VW Type 2, using VW Type 25 components], Transporter Talk, Issue 84, August 2006, Page 44.

« Dear Club »

« I have been working on the restoration of my 1975 bay-window van, which includes a complete renewal of the electrical looms and components. In the process of doing so, I thought it would be good to make some enhancements. I thought it would be great to have an intermittent wiper and washer function just like my T25. I have just completed the bench testing phase using parts from both my vans and it works really well. I now have plans to produce the kit for anyone who may wish to have the same function. »

« The kit uses the wiper relay from a T25 and requires no modifications to the van to install it. The only addition is two extra switches to be fitted into the dash for the wipe/wash function. It should be possible to fit the kit without taking the dash out. I am currently working on producing a set of instruction and other documentation installing the kit, I hope to have this available within the next month. »

« If you think this is of interest to the club, I would be grateful if you could include this in one of your news sections of Transporter Talk to gauge what sort of interest there may be. All feedback would be most appreciated. »

« Dave Bishop, Member No. 914 »

For those who don’t recognise references to “T25” or “Type 25”, they are commonly used British descriptions given to the 1980~92 VW Transporter T3 (aka VW Vanagon in USA parlance!). No pictures or diagrams accompanied this letter.

No further details (including a “set of instruction and other documentation”) of Dave Bishop’s intermittent wash/wipe system using a VW Transporter T3 wiper relay and two additional switches were ever published, either in future issues of Transporter Talk or any of the Technical Information Sheets, of which I believe I have a complete set.

Whilst the intermittent wash/wipe system developed by Dave Bishop might be functional, I can’t help feeling that the need for two additional dashboard switches, introduces significantly increased complexity and compromises ergonomics, in a vital safety-related system, that needs to be simply & intuitively used at short notice, without requiring major thought or searching for switches on the dashboard, especially under night-time conditions.

By a strange coincidence, the same issue of Transporter Talk also featured the following:

Steve Clarke, "Letter from America", Transporter Talk, Issue 84, August 2006, Page 37.

« Steve Clarke, a member of the VWT2OC and El President of the South Florida Club in the USA, and also a regular visitor from across the pond to help and visit us at VANFEST, has kindly given his permission for me to reproduce some of the wit that he prints in his club’s Newsletter. I look forward to meeting Steve again in September, and no, it has nothing to do with Cashew nuts that accompany him. »

« Damn Women Drivers. »

« I looked over to my left in the Highway lane next to mine, and there was a woman driving a brand new Cadillac doing about 65 mph with her face up next to her rear view mirror, putting on her eye liner! I looked away for a couple of seconds and when I looked back she was half way over into my lane, still working on that makeup. »

« As a man I don’t scare easily. But she scared me so much, I dropped my shaver, which knocked the donut out of my other hand. In all the confusion in trying to straighten out the car using my knees against the steering wheel, it knocked my cellphone away from my ear and into the coffee between my legs. The coffee splashed and burned big Jim and the Twins, ruined the damn phone, soaked my trousers, and disconnected an important call .......... Damn women drivers!! »

airschooled wrote: Nigel, half the vehicles I see every DAY wouldn't pass your MOT inspections. My what a safer place to drive we would have. And wipers are NOTHING compared to the steel belts I see hanging out of tires, vehicles with missing tail lights, and people doing 85 (135-ish) on their half-sized spare.

Land of the free. :shock:

Robbie

It was interesting to note that Steve Clarke from Florida, USA, used the proper English word “trousers” rather than the spurious American-English word “pants”, which in English is used as an abbreviation for “underpants”. Perhaps he learned something from his involvement in VANFEST!

Humour commonly has a basis in the actual events of everyday life, so these humorous quips are a rather disturbing reflection on attitudes to driving and road safety in the USA!

Driving along the Pacific Coast Highway in California, sometime in September 1981, I noticed at regular intervals on the side of the road, massive chunks of tyre-tread that looked as though they had originated from large trucks. :shock: :roll: :twisted: Having travelled extensively with my parents in various parts of the British Isles, Europe (including Albania and much of the Eastern Bloc), the Middle East & Africa, during the previous 20 years and following 15 years, where I had never seen the like of it before or since. It was a poor reflection on commercial-vehicle operation & maintenance in the USA.

At the time, I was driving a poorly-maintained (gutless engine whose cooling system kept boiling up when climbing hills), Luton-bodied RV – recreation vehicle (aka motorhome), based upon a Ford truck chassis with automatic transmission (yuk!), foot-operated parking brake (yuk!), over-powered power-assisted brakes (multiple-yuk!) & over-powered power-assisted steering (multiple-yuk!), that my father had hired (i.e. rented in USA parlance!) from an RV-hire company in Anaheim. :roll: :evil:

Thu Oct 27, 2022 10:11 am

Transporter Talk Magazine – Items re Window Wipers & Washers – Part 5

Frank Wognam, "Sick and Tyred of the Windscreen Washer” [electrically-pumped, modified 1973~74 VW Type 2 windscreen washer system], Transporter Talk, Issue 44, December 1999, Pages 10~13. Also later published as Technical Information Sheet Topic 18 (should be Topic 19, given that there was already an existing Topic 18!): Electric Washers on a Bay.

The home-made windscreen-washer switch described, might not be as simple or as durable as other solutions, but it serves to illustrate what is possible with a few discarded scrap materials and a little ingenuity! :)

In mid-2003, about 3½ years after his Transporter Talk article was published, Frank Wognam, who lived in Chelmsford (about a ½~¾ hours’ drive from my home on Canvey Island), Essex, bought one of my spare Vauxhall Astra Mk.1 estate rear-window wiper systems, to be retro-fitted (with the guidance of my modification & installation manual) by automotive technicians, who were then “professionally-restoring” his 1974 VW Type 2. Sadly, owing to sudden changes in Frank’s financial circumstances, he was obliged to sell his recently restored & upgraded vehicle, before he was able to experience the benefits.

Thu Oct 27, 2022 11:05 am

Short version

People from Bristol are wankers.

Mon Nov 07, 2022 11:33 am

Windscreen Wiper-Blade Attachment Methods

BryanRawlings wrote: « I was very interested to read Nigel Skeet’s article in the October 1996 issue of Transporter Talk. It is an excellent idea to use the unusual configuration of the Vauxhall Astra Mk.1 estate or equivalent rear wiper to fit the particularly long and narrow rear window of the 1968~79 VW Type 2. »

« However, I would question the need for his elaborate modifications. I have fitted one of these wipers which I obtained from a local scrap yard for a tenner complete with an eleven-inch blade from another car. All you need to do is to make a block of metal or plastic about 10 x 20 x 25 mm with two holes drilled in it – one to bolt one end between the “attachment ears” which are left after you cut the old blade off, and one to fix the new blade using its pop-out plastic adjustment pin (discard the clip). »

NASkeet wrote: The depth of his wiper-blade mounting block, would also affect the orientation of the wiper blade, which in turn would determine the extent by which the secondary wiper arm would need to be lengthened, had Bryan Rawlings chosen this option. Although the cuboid wiper-blade mounting block, would be a simple, practical way of fitting the wiper blade to the short pantograph link, it’s doubtful whether it would have a factory-fitted appearance, and fitting & removal of the wiper-blade would be less straightforward!

Many universal windscreen-wiper blades, that are available from general motor-factors & car-accessory shops, commonly come with a selection of adaptors, which enable them to be fitted to a variety of different wiper arms, having diverse methods of wiper-blade attachment [e.g. bayonet (as found on my 1974 Triumph Toledo), screw type (some Japanese cars), hook, side pin, French clip & American pin], but NOT including the rear-wiper arms of the Vauxhall Chevette & Astra Mk.1 estate cars.

Bryan Rawlings method of attachment involved using a “block of metal or plastic about 10 mm x 20 mm x 25 mm with two holes drilled in it”, which undoubtedly proved satisfactory. However, this block would only be usable with wiper blades having a slot in the top at least 10 mm wide, which is not so for all wiper blades. If he had made the block significantly less than 10 mm wide so that it would fit wiper blades with a narrower slot, there might be too much slop or play if used with a wiper blade having a wide slot, unless one also fitted one or more circular spacer shims of some sort.

So far, I have found 12-inch long wiper blades and an 11-inch long (12-inch length not available!) SVD/SWW wash-wiper blade, with slots having widths of circa 8½ mm, 9 mm, 11 mm & 11½ mm, but there might be others as well. Moulded-plastic adapters, come in a variety of sizes for use with hook-end wiper-arms of different widths, for wiper blades of various slot-widths. My SVD/SWW wash-wiper blade kit, included moulded-plastic adapters for hook-end wiper arms of 7 mm, 8 mm & 9 mm widths, which is illustrated in the fitting-instructions leaflet.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/svd_sww_wash_wiper_blades_sweden.php

Pages 2 & 3 of the SVD/SWW installation instruction leaflet, illustrating wiper-arm hook-ends of 7 mm, 8 mm & 9 mm width

It was why I elected to use this simple, common method of attachment, by bonding (using Araldite, two-part epoxy adhesive) a hook-end from a defunct wiper-arm, to the original Vauxhall estate’s special SWF attachment fitting with a specially shaped, circa 6 mm thick intermediate spacer, that would enable the wiper-blade to pivot, so that the blade-rubber remained parallel to the window glass’s surface, throughout the wiper’s sweep.

Making the intermediate spacer “significantly” thicker or thinner than 6 mm, would have influenced the extent of secondary wiper-arm lengthening that was required, owing to rotation of the wiper blade parallel to the plane of the glass, about an axis perpendicular to the glass! One would observe the same effect when pulling the wiper blade away from the glass or using a wiper blade whose point of attachment to the wiper-arm adapter, is closer or further from the glass.

The minimum practical intermediate-spacer thickness, was dictated by the requirement to articulate the hook-end when fitting or removing the wiper blade, and the need for adequate clearance between the primary & secondary wiper arms and the bodywork bulge below the rear window, throughout the wiper’s sweep.

When I salvaged the rear-window wiper system from the first and subsequent Vauxhall Astra Mk.1 estate cars, I noticed that the primary & secondary wiper arms were very close to one another, and their painted-surfaces exhibited clear signs of rubbing against each other where they crossed over.

To overcome this, I created two opposite-direction, slight kinks in the secondary wiper arm, close to the wiper-blade end, to provide circa 5 mm clearance between the primary & secondary wiper arms where they crossed over. This only slightly affected the required length of secondary wiper arm, but was something which needed to be taken into account, owing to the system’s sensitivity to this parameter!

For owners of Vauxhall Chevette & Astra Mk.1 estate cars or their equivalent, there was probably only a single “special” 14 inch long replacement wiper blade, made by SWF, with what might be a unique attachment fitting for the rear-window wiper-arm, that I suspect were only available from Vauxhall and/or Opel dealerships at considerable cost. Given that these cars ceased production in the mid-1980s, nearly 40 years ago, these “special” wiper blades might no longer be available anywhere, so a custom-made adapter for use with universal window-wiper blades, would probably be essential for owners of these cars too.

http://www.chevetteownersgroup.co.uk/

http://www.cavalierandchevetteclub.co.uk/

http://www.astraownersclub.com/vb/forum.php

http://www.vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk/index.php[/quote]

Fri May 26, 2023 12:00 pm

Earlier Alternative to OEDES Raintracker Rain-Sensing Wiper Kit!?!

According to a feature nearly 24¾ years ago in the following British VW Motoring magazine issue’s new-products listing, there was a potentially earlier alternative to the American designed & Malaysian manufactured, OEDES Raintracker RT40, RT50 & RT50A rain-sensor controller kit. This was the Hella Raintronic kit, available in the United Kingdom from C & R Enterprises (Tel. 0115 – 978 5750), at prices of £89•50 upward.

“Big-Brother Wipers!”, Products, VW Motoring, September 1998, Page 73

« Wouldn’t it be great if windscreen wipers came on by themselves at the first hint of rain, without having to lift a finger? Well, this level of technology, previously only available on the very latest models, is now being offered by Hella in the form of their new Raintronic system, currently being stocked by C&R Enterprises. »

« The Raintronic system uses a screen-mounted sensor to detect rain, water spray or even ‘heavy’ moisture and automatically triggers the wipers. Best of all, it even adjusts the intermittent wipe-rate to suit the driving conditions! »

« The TÜV-approved unit is available in versions to suit most VW and Audi applications, with prices starting from £89•50. Needless to say, C&R offer a full installation service. »

« For more details, contact C&R Enterprises on (0115) 9785740 »

C&R Enterprises, Units C1-C4 Lake Street, Radford, Nottingham, NG7 4BT

Telephone: 0115-978 5740

Fax: 0115-924 4903

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.candrenterprises.co.uk

PHOTOBUCKET pictures: NOT presently available

https://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/mtdbot/for+sale/photo5_zps244c3bf1.jpg

https://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/mtdbot/for+sale/photo1_zps239b6b95.jpg

https://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/mtdbot/for+sale/photo4_zps8f7bd9e0.jpg

https://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/mtdbot/for+sale/photo3_zpsa8d47ad2.jpg

PHOTOBUCKET picture: presently available

Available picture from Oldworldbaskets.com

Available pictures of Hella Raintronic system from motorbasar.de, for VW, Audi, Skoda & Seat

Available pictures of Hella Raintronic system from Mercedes Benz Forum benzworld.org

Available picture of Hella Raintronic system from You-Tube

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DWqhtpP-FZc/hqdefault.jpg

Fri Apr 05, 2024 11:01 am

airschooled wrote: NASkeet wrote: LivinInnaVWBus wrote: My wipers haven't worked for a year and a half on my daily driver.

Yet another North American registered vehicle, which would instantly fail the annual British MOT, six-monthly New Zealand WOF and other regular obligatory national road-worthiness inspections! :twisted:

Nigel, half the vehicles I see every DAY wouldn't pass your MOT inspections. My what a safer place to drive we would have. And wipers are NOTHING compared to the steel belts I see hanging out of tires, vehicles with missing tail lights, and people doing 85 (135-ish) on their half-sized spare.

Land of the free. :shock:
Robbie

I wonder whether "LivinInnaVWBus" has YET rectified the windscreen wiper faults and any of the other accumulating faults during the past 8¼ years, which render his vehicle unroadworthy, and himself liable to prosecution, licence penalty points, financial penalties (i.e. fines), licence suspension, vehicle impoundment / scrappage or imprisonment!?!

Driving an unroadworthy vehicle is a serious offence under the The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, irrespective of whether one has a valid MOT test certificate.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/contents/made

The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 - UK Statutory Instruments, 1986, No. 1078, PART IIE, Regulation 34 [Windscreen wipers and washers]

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/34/made

There is the further penalty, that an unroadworthy vehicle would be in breach of the civil contract with the insurer, so the insurance policy would be null & void and hence the driver would be driving without valid insurance, which is another serious offence!

Perhaps he / she should follow these guidelines, when conducting the regular DIY inspection every few months:

Pass the MoT First Time - 1984 Car Mechanics magazine supplement

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/lit/mot_pass_booklet.php

Tue Apr 30, 2024 10:55 am

I am aware from the following topic thread, that bodywork-mounted, windscreen-washer units, having TWO washer-jet nozzles, as fitted to some or all 1980~82 VW Transporter T3 (i.e. VW Vanagon in USA parlance!?!), have been used to improve the washer-fluid distribution over the front windscreen glass of a 1968~79 VW Type 2.

Forum Index > Bay Window Bus > Windshield washer dual sprayer nozzle upgrade!

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=554391

Whilst I was searching the Australian & British Internet websites of Just Kampers, to determine the current availability or otherwise, of RHD – right-hand drive configuration, front windscreen-wiper arms, for the Australian assembled, 1968~79 VW Type 2s, I stumbled upon alternative bodywork-mounted, windscreen-washer units, having THREE washer-jet nozzles as follows:

Windscreen Wiper Arms (Pair) for VW T2 Bay (Fits Australian Built Vans Only)

https://www.justkampers.com.au/vw-t2-bay-window-pa...-only.html

James Akers, “VW T3 / T25 / Vanagon - Windscreen Washer Jet Upgrade”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6ALL-9LhZM

3 Nozzle Washer Jet VW T2 Bay 1967–1979 VW T25 / T3 1979–1992 & Brazilian Bays

https://www.justkampers.com.au/vw-t2-bay-window-pa...-bays.html

https://www.justkampers.com/vw-t2-bay-window-parts...-bays.html

They seem to be available more widely on British E-bay, at considerably reduced costs.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004939953835.h...25e5adba8a

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144660948843?chn=ps&...303181eeb0

Tue Apr 30, 2024 11:26 am

Wiper-Arm Mounted, Clip-On Washer Jet Components & Kits

NASkeet wrote: Having managed to modify and retro-fit, an almost optimal, rear-window wiper (the alternative, Chevette based wiper, is slightly closer to optimal), of almost factory-fitted appearance, was a great improvement, but as you have probably all found, the rear window sometimes gets really filthy, when travelling at high speed (i.e. more than 45 mph!) on damp roads, so I really needed to supplement it with some sort of window washer system.

Ideally, I would have liked to have used, the SWW wash-wiper blades, of the type that I have for my front windshield wipers, but alas, I could find no convenient way of routing the flexible rubber tubing, so that it did not interfere, with either of the wiper-system's cross-over-arms or other components.

Once again, I resorted to my Swedish university-friend, who was able to obtain on my behalf, a VDO accessory, window washer kit (illustrated in a Swedish, car accessories' mail-order catalogue, he gave me several years earlier!), which comprised: (a) wiper-arm mounted, clip-on, washer-jet housing, with four adjustable ball nozzles; (b) flexible rubber tubing; (c) three, tubing to wiper-arm fastening clips; and (d) right-angled, through-bodywork connector. The following image, scanned from the product packaging, is posted in The Samba Gallery:

Accessory, wiper-arm mounted, clip-on, washer-jet housing, with four adjustable ball-nozzles, suitable for mounting on front or rear-wiper arms.

VDO part No. V 1048, imported into Sweden, by K. G. Knuttson, purchased at a Swedish car accessory shop, during the early-1990s, for my 1973 VW Type 2, cross-over-arm, double-linkage, pantograph, rear-window wiper system.

The top photograph, posted in The Samba Gallery, shows the main components of the universal, VDO/SWF wiper-arm mounting, clip-on, washer-jet kit, which I used for the cross-over-arm, pantograph rear-window wiper system, of my 1973 VW Type 2.

I could also have used two kits of this type, for my front windshield wipers, had I not previously used SWW wash/wiper blades.

Also posted in The Samba Gallery, is a photograph of the right-angled, through-bodywork connector, which is fitted to the rear hatch of my 1973 VW Type 2, just below the wiper spindle:

Note that for my rear-window washer application, I opted to locate the right-angled portion, inside the hatch.

The VDO window-washer kit (VDO part No. V 1048), was imported into Sweden, by K. G. Knuttson, whose details to the best of my knowledge, are as follows:

K. G. Knuttson AB, Hammerbacken 8, S 19181 - Sölentuna, Sweden.
Tel. (International) +46 08-923000
email: [email protected]

I have seen, a mid-1990s MAN B-163 truck (British, P-prefix, registration number plate) and a 2005 MAN LE8.150 truck (British, 05 registration plate), each with three front windscreen wipers, equipped with a virtually identical washer system; albeit with a single, 75 mm long, one-piece, flexible-hose retaining clip, on each wiper arm.

Pairs of washer jet fittings, right-angled, bulkhead hose connectors and flexible rubber hose, which appear very similar to those on the MAN trucks and in the aforementioned accessory kit (albeit with only two rather than four adjustable ball nozzles), seem to be standard equipment, for the front-windscreen washer system, of 2002 onward, Nissan Cabstar pick-up truck models (pre-2002 models, have bodywork mounted jets), as shown in the photographs, posted in The Samba Gallery:

The right-angled, through-bodywork connectors, fitted to the 2002 onward, Nissan Cabstar, outwardly appear identical, to those found in the VDO kit and as fitted, to the two aforementioned MAN trucks

I have also seen on the modern Mercedes Vito vans, having a single top-hinged rear hatch, a factory-fitted rear-window washer system, which utilises a wiper-arm mounted, SWF washer jet fitting, with four adjustable ball nozzles, identical to that found in the aforementioned VDO accessory kit; the flexible rubber hose for which, is fastened to the rear-wiper arm, by means of a 90 mm long, one-piece retaining clip.

A variety of wiper-arm mounted, front and/or rear, washer-jet fittings, with multiple adjustable ball nozzles, are becoming an increasingly common, standard fitment, on modern, small commercial vehicles, further examples of which, I have seen on a 2001/02 Mitsubishi Canter and a 2003 Isuzu NKR pickup truck. The Mitsubishi vehicle, featured several reuseable plastic clips, of very neat pattern, used to secure the flexible rubber washer hose, to the 9 mm wiper arms.

In recent years, since I made the above post in mid-August 2006, more than 16 years ago, after-market kits & components thave become more readily available, to enable one to retro-fit wiper-arm mounted clip-on washer jet units.

Wiper-arm-mounted, clip-on window-washer jets, with two adjustable ball-nozzles

These clip-on washers, could probably be transplanted onto most early and late-model VWs.

https://polevolt.co.uk/acatalog/Washer_Jets_and_Components.html

Polevolt bulkhead, right-angled, washer-hose connection

Polevolt wiper-arm mounted, 3-way adjustable washer-jet unit

Polevolt wiper-arm, washer-hose support clip

Links TO WIPEX the wiper specialists re wiper-arm mounted, clip-on washer jets, hose to wiper-arm securing clips & through-panel right-angled connectors.

Contact WIPEX

https://wipex.co.uk/index.php

https://wipex.co.uk/catalogue.html

https://wipex.co.uk/pluginAppObj/pluginAppObj_54_13/wipex-2018-catalogue.pdf

Address: Wipex (Wiper & Linkage kit Specialists) 3 Warwick Court, Abbey Road, Malvern, Worcestershire. WR14 3HU
Phone: 01 684 – 569 733
Email: [email protected]