Wipers don't park or do intermittent

[altbrewer]

All I could find to check by searching the forums was the pulse wiper relay and check the nuts on the control arms for tightness, but I did that and the problem persists. This is a 1998 Boxster. I replaced the relay, but no change. Nuts are tight. No other electrical problems that I am aware of.

 

The replacement relay had a part number of 996.615.103.00, while the original number is 986.615.103.00. The replacement relay has an extra small pin, but fits in the socket fine. Could this be an issue? All the replacement relays I could find online had the 996 part number, but were listed as replacement for the '98 Boxster.

 

Anything else I should look at?

 

Thanks,

Mike

[JFP in PA]

All I could find to check by searching the forums was the pulse wiper relay and check the nuts on the control arms for tightness, but I did that and the problem persists. This is a 1998 Boxster. I replaced the relay, but no change. Nuts are tight. No other electrical problems that I am aware of.

 

The replacement relay had a part number of 996.615.103.00, while the original number is 986.615.103.00. The replacement relay has an extra small pin, but fits in the socket fine. Could this be an issue? All the replacement relays I could find online had the 996 part number, but were listed as replacement for the '98 Boxster.

 

Anything else I should look at?

 

Thanks,

Mike

 

I think you have the wrong relay, the one you have comes up as being for a 996, and they are different as the 996 had driver adjustable interval wipers, your Boxster does not (adjustable intermittent wipers only appeared with the introduction of the "S" model Boxster in 2000).

[altbrewer]

That's what I was thinking. I have seen instructions for using the 996 relay for the variable intermittent have for the early Boxster, but wasn't sure whether this relay would work without the hack. Guess I have to track down a 986 relay.

[Orient Express]

I have found that the intermittent wiper replay can be easily kicked slightly out of its socket giving the indications you have described.  Reseating the original relay can solve the problem.  But it sounds like you have already been down the reseating the relay path.

[altbrewer]

Another member provided a real 986 relay, but that didn't help either. I have high speed and low speed wiping, the washer works as well. But when switched to the off position on the stalk the blades stop wherever they are on the windshield, and pulling the control stalk down doesn't do anything at all.

 

What else should I try? I know some wiper motors have the park function built in, but would that also affect the intermittent control?

 

I am afraid it might be the control stalk itself, but that's a bit expensive to just replace without being sure.

[JFP in PA]

Another member provided a real 986 relay, but that didn't help either. I have high speed and low speed wiping, the washer works as well. But when switched to the off position on the stalk the blades stop wherever they are on the windshield, and pulling the control stalk down doesn't do anything at all.

 

What else should I try? I know some wiper motors have the park function built in, but would that also affect the intermittent control?

 

I am afraid it might be the control stalk itself, but that's a bit expensive to just replace without being sure.

 

Not really sure what the issue is here.  The intermittent function is built into the 986 relay (you can actually use a VW relay in its place and set the time length of the cycle), so after trying different relays, that obviously is not the problem.  I'll look into the OEM service manuals tonight and see if they contain anything that may shed some light on the problem.  It does sound like it could be the stalk assembly however.

[JFP in PA]

OK, spent some time staring at wiring diagrams and here's were I think you are:  The column stalk appears to have a set of contacts that send an electrical signal to the wiper motor, which then parks the arms.  Unfortunately, that is not definitive as either the contacts or the motor could be the issue.  I think you are going need to do some testing diagnostics on both to see how to proceed.

[altbrewer]

Thanks, JFP.