Slow Wipers

[Tavalin]

X’rs,
I am back to making Gary’s x better. Now, I have my attention on the wipers. I replaced the motor but the wipers still wipe very slow.
Is it that the motor is not getting enough power? Something else, maybe a drag somewhere?
I am perplexed.
Any suggestions to remedy the issue would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Mike, both things have been demonstrated several times. The mechanical mechanism will benefit from a good cleaning lubrication of all the pivots, bushings, etc. And the electrical circuit can benefit from a better power supply (e.g. a relay with larger gauge power wire feeding it).

 

[79X19]

I did a complete disassembly clean and lubrication of the motor. The gear shoulder was rubbing metal on metal causing significant drag. I did a write up on it in the workshop forum with pics. I also took apart all the linkages cleaned the shafts lubed all moving parts and soaked the wiper spindle mechanisms in penetrating oil which all combined did wonders for the movement of the wipers. This along with the brown wire mod brought it back to acceptable movement. Not that I’ll ever use them as I’ll never intentionally drive in the rain!!!

 

[79X19]

My thread was titled “Wiper motor maintenance someone has to know”. I posted it in Oct 2017 on the workshop forum. Hope it helps.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

That's the thread I was thinking of.
https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/wiper-motor-maintenance-someone-has-to-know.33175/

 

[toddr124]

Wiper relay kit is what you need. I know there are instruction on this site somewhere. DCFiats did this fix on a tech day to about 30 X1/9s and 124s a few years ago and it worked great.

 

[kmead]

The electrical solution can be done without any cutting by adding in two relays using OE connectors in the frunk. This is known as the Insertable Wiper Motor Relay Harness. The pics are gone but there are some images of others work in a related vein.

https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/insertable-wiper-motor-relay-harness.21415/
https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/insertable-wiper-relay-mod.23137/

You can also buy an assembly pre made from Vick Auto in Texas. I believe that one is optimized for a 124 Spider but a few wires can be extended to make it work better.

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_7_57&products_id=4636

The connectors can be had from a number of sources, among them MWB and AutoRicambi and electrical suppliers (I am sure FiatPlus has them but I suck at finding things there)

https://www.midwest-bayless.com/Fia...onnector-pair-6-pin-spade-male-female-u8.aspx

https://autoricambi.us/collections/electrical/products/wire-connectors-6-prong

https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/part-numbers-for-wiper-relay-mod.25604/#post-213049

Another approach is to step up the voltage to the motor

https://xwebforums.com/forum/index.php?threads/fix-for-slow-fiat-wipers.29433/#post-246215

 

[ghostdancing]

i need this for my 128 coupè (dont drive under rain storms, but i like some mild rain on a retrocar: feel it's a real car and not a sunny sunday toy)..saw the vickauto set..was wondering why it has 2 relays..dont it should need just one?

 

[kmead]

There is one relay for each speed. The intermittent runs off the low speed.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

I would caution on upping the power supply (as described with wiper replays), without first cleaning and lubricating everything. Otherwise the added resistance of old dry rusty joints/bushings will be fighting the added current, and create a lot of heat (and eventual damage). To me it all goes hand in hand as a complete service/repair, and not a bandaid to mask underlying symptoms.

 

[toddr124]

i need this for my 128 coupè (dont drive under rain storms, but i like some mild rain on a retrocar: feel it's a real car and not a sunny sunday toy)..saw the vickauto set..was wondering why it has 2 relays..dont it should need just one?

I think the 128 uses only 5 wires not 6. This changes the relay design, but it will still work moving one wire. Which wire is the question. We (okay someone a lot smarter than me) to Chris F 124 coupe. I can look if I still have the drawing, but I doubt it. Chris F is on Mirafiori and might be able to help.

 

[Tavalin]

Thanks everybody for the wonderful advice. This is not a simple 10 min job.
So, I will start by cleaning a lubing everything. My 86’ I thought has two speed wipers, slower and slow.
I am going to have to research everything said here and do one at a time.
The previous owner did the brown wire mod already. Great for me
Now the work begins...
Thanks again everyone,
Mike

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Let us know what you find and how it goes.

 

[Tavalin]

Let us know what you find and how it goes.

Dr. Jeff, will do. It is now just finding the time, which is challenging.
Oh, I forgot to mention that my wife and I are expecting. Oliver will be born sometime end of April or early May. Then even less time to dedicate to Gary’s X. Oh well, that is how it goes sometimes.
Thanks again,
Mike

 

[kmead]

I had in the past been trying to archive some threads with pics. I happened to archive some of the ones for the wipers.

Some that have done this mod have put the relays into a box in that vicinity, others have just attached them to the firewall.

.

 

[Tavalin]

Kmead,
I will review all of the attachments and pics. I will start tomorrow on some stuff and possibly attach the wiper motor and clean all the contacts and grounds. I am currently having some front passenger side brake issues. Sticking caliper. Man!!! I need to tear that down and see what is going on. Punishment for not driving her enough.
Thanks and will let you know how the wiper resto goes.
Mike

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Mike, on the caliper check the wedges between the caliper head and it's bracket. They should allow the caliper to slide, but they tend to get corroded and stick. Otherwise it could be the piston inside the caliper. In which case it's time for a rebuild.