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mehall · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 191 Location: Richmond, MO

Wipers are coming on at the oddest times.

Increasingly often, it seems they come on just because it's quite cold. They start to behave once the cabin is warm.

Sometimes they cycle once when I use the dimmer switch; sometimes it's when I use the turn signals.

I just bought this car a couple weeks ago, so I've not had it in warm weather. I do know that it rarely saw bad weather streats, but now I'm using it as our 2nd car (almost daily driver).

In the short time I've had it, I noticed a new scratching sound in the stearing wheel/column when turning, directly related to turning the steering wheel, so I may have to get the tools to pull the wheel...and it might be related to the wiper issue.

Any suggestions?

Thank you,

Mark
_________________
Mark

'87 White 924s manual
'94 Lexus LS400

www.kcws.org

Smoothie · Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject:

Common problem due to wiper switch plate grounding.
Fix is here - http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=16936
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

mehall · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 191 Location: Richmond, MO

Thank you.

I was beginning to suspect grounding issues.

Now the real problem: where is the switch assembly?

I've only had this car a couple of weeks. [took it on a 1,000 mile trip with no issues other than the wipers. I'm happy] So far, I've installed a pair of hood struts, new uni-directional tires and repaired the hatch lock and latches (no parts needed).

Still don't have a shop manual. It's next on my list, but my shopping was interrupted by my father-in-law's death last week. Funeral was yesterday, and now I'm finally home.

Mark
_________________
Mark

'87 White 924s manual
'94 Lexus LS400

www.kcws.org

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject:

Locate that long thing you move to activate the wipers, and notice where you normally touch it - the switch is hidden beyond the other end. Need to remove the steering wheel to get at it, and need to pull the horn pad to access the nut to remove to remove the steering wheel.

The scratching sound you mentioned earlier -might- be a little springy brass contact for the horn circuit. You'll see it once the steering wheel is removed.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

mehall · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 191 Location: Richmond, MO

Thank you.

Now to find my wheel puller.....no clue where it is. I've lived here for 8 years, and haven't needed it in all that time.

Mark
_________________
Mark

'87 White 924s manual
'94 Lexus LS400

www.kcws.org

Smoothie · Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject:

I never had to use a wheel puller on the 924T - just remove the nut and pull the wheel back by hand.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

mehall · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 191 Location: Richmond, MO

I had a friend that pulled a steering wheel for me several years ago.

I had a bum puller, so he sat down, pulled, grunted, groaned and suddenly he was sitting there holding a steering wheel in his right hand while he pulled a piece of tooth with his left.

My teeth are partly plastic, so I won't even try.

Mark
_________________
Mark

'87 White 924s manual
'94 Lexus LS400

www.kcws.org

mehall · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 191 Location: Richmond, MO

That was interesting. I went and got a puller from O'Reilly's and never opened it.

Came off easiy....and from reading other posts, maybe too easily. I will torque it when I re-install.
_________________
Mark

'87 White 924s manual
'94 Lexus LS400

www.kcws.org

mehall · Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 191 Location: Richmond, MO

Now I broke it....no signals and no intermittent wiper!!!

Before I started, everything in the steering column worked great, except that when cold (below freezing) the intermittent wipers were likely to run full time, ignoring the off settings. This behaviour stopped when the cabin became warm, or the ambient temp warmed up.

[of course I disconnnected the battery]

I disassembled the column, pulled out the turn signal switch and sprayed it down with circuit cleaner. Did the same for the wiper switch. (no cruise)

When I took them apart, a spring between them released, kicking out a copper colored washer, which I quickly lost as I tryed to put it in a safe place. I replaced the washer with something close to the size (it's not listed in PET) and, because I assumed the copper was to enhance the ground connection, wrapped it with aluminum foil.

After assembly, the turn lever seemed stiff; it didn't have the nice "return to neutral" action.

After I put the wheel back on, the car started fine, headlights worked perfectly, and the regular and fast wipers work. No turn signals, no intermittent wipers at all.

What did I do wrong?

What a bummer. It was nice today, about 70. Tomorrow, it's gonna be high of 34 and rain/snow mix.

Thanks for your help.

Mark
_________________
Mark

'87 White 924s manual
'94 Lexus LS400

www.kcws.org