Intermittent wiper switch/rheostat

[gmorris552]

2000 C4 - my intermittent wipers will not vary with the dial/rheostat. It wipes about every 6 seconds. Does this mean the rheostat dial is bad? If so - is there a way to remove/replace that rheostat without removing the dashboard?

[kbrandsma]

2000 C4 - my intermittent wipers will not vary with the dial/rheostat. It wipes about every 6 seconds. Does this mean the rheostat dial is bad? If so - is there a way to remove/replace that rheostat without removing the dashboard?

Take a padded butter knife or some other plastic flat tool and pry the trim piece off that contains the dial and the three switches or switch plugs above the dial. It should pull off with little effort. Mine comes off with my fingers once you get behind it a little bit.

Your Carrera may have a horse shoe that wraps around the AC and radio. My boxster doesn't. In any case you only need access to the back of the dial to remove.

Once away from the dash grab the electric harness by the plug (not wires) and pull straight out. That leaves two verticle black plastic pieces on the outer edge. Place your fingers inside these verticle pieces and gently push both outward on both at the same time. The dial will release toward the front.

If you need photos let me know.

[Orient Express]

Before you pry off the center console, look under the drivers footwell, and make sure all of the electrical relays are properly seated. I had the exact same problem a while back, and it turned out I had dislodged the intermittent wiper relay.

[gmorris552]

A couple of pictures would definitely be helpful - I'm a visual guy! :D

Also - Orient Express - where specifically should I look in Drivers footwell for the relays?

Thanks all.

g

[kbrandsma]

The intermittent wiper relay is in the bank of relays to the right of the black fuse box by the driver's left foot. Second row of relays from the bottom, furthest on the right. (see photo below)

If you remove the rotating dial, you can check it with a multi-tester. The dial/switch is just a potentiometer so it should change resistance when rotated. If you don't get a change of resistence when rotating the dial or it is is completely open it will need to be replaced. Part number 996.613.127.00.A02 (Gloss or A05 - Matt)

Cost of the potentiometer is about $50.00 from Sunset.

You can also check the fuse. It is fuse C6 (25A) and is located on the third row from the top and 6th fuse from the left.

Relay Location

I'll send photos later of potentiometer.

Edited February 10, 2010 by kbrandsma

[gmorris552]

With your info - I was able to make sure the relay was seated. Retested and still have issue. I was able to pull the rheostat as you stated. It has 4 pins on the back side. I used a multimeter and took random samples with no changes. Are there specific pins I should check/compare? Also the part number on the piece was 996.613.115.00. You stated a slightly different (996.613.127.00.A02). Are they equivalent parts?

Thanks so much for your help.

[kbrandsma]

With your info - I was able to make sure the relay was seated. Retested and still have issue. I was able to pull the rheostat as you stated. It has 4 pins on the back side. I used a multimeter and took random samples with no changes. Are there specific pins I should check/compare? Also the part number on the piece was 996.613.115.00. You stated a slightly different (996.613.127.00.A02). Are they equivalent parts?

Thanks so much for your help.

You are correct and I was wrong the part number is 996.613.115.00 A02 (gloss or A05 for matt)

If you orient the harness this way the two pins are on the far right. The other pins on the left are for backlighting with the pin on the far left being for the brown wire which is ground or earth.

With the dial turning clockwise the number gets smaller

Turning the dial counterclockwise the number gets larger and eventually 1. or off and no resistance. If your reading is always 1. or open you have a faulty switch. Check your multi-meter out on a bare wire to ensure it is working properly.

[gmorris552]

I will check those specific connections tonight - but looks like I'll be headed to purchase. Thanks so much for the diagnosis help - excellent simple directions that even I can follow! :D

[vwelch]

Thanks kbrandsma, your directions and photos were very helpful. In my case, either reseating the relay and the plug in the back of the potentiometer did the trick (I did both without checking in between).

 

I never was able any get any sort of connectivity reading on the potentiometer with my multimeter. That doesn't make sense and I cannot explain why.

[RJ'sGottaDrive]

I need to order this part, but I'm not sure if mine is matte or gloss. Pelican Parts lists both, but their website has no pics.

The center of the switch looks glossy, but the dial looks matte. So, can someone help me out? Which is right for my '02 C2?

I did check Sunset and they listed a different part no. (996-613-115-10-A05) for my car.It says it's a potentiometer. There's no pic. The A05 tells me it's matte.

They do have 996-613-127-10-A05. Price is now $81.29.

Just would like to be sure.

Thanks.

 

[DBJoe996]

Just a suggestion, get to the back of your potentiometer - every OE Porsche part has a part number somewhere on it.

[RJ'sGottaDrive]

I have the part in my hand, but if you have ever taken it out, you'll see that it doesn't give you the A02 or A05 designation on it.

 

[Loren]

996 613 115 10 A05 -- Potentiometer for MY 2002 and newer with matt black knob.  US MSRP $104.90

[RJ'sGottaDrive]

4 minutes ago, Loren said:

996 613 115 10 A05 -- Potentiometer for MY 2002 and newer with matt black knob.  US MSRP $104.90

Thanks Loren.

 

[ef1]

I just received a brand new potentiometer so guys can test if it needs replacing.

Here's the pin 1&2 readings for a new one & timing for delay when installed.
Look inside the connect next to the pins for the pin numbers.

 

Full speed (full clockwise) = 30.4k ohm = 7 second delay

Slowest speed (full CCW) = 232.1k ohm = 30 second delay

 

 

Edited February 24 by ef1