Intermittent wiper interval
 

According to my handbook, dated 1994, I should be able to vary the interval on the intermittent wiper by switching to intermittent, let it complete a sweep, switch off and then switch back on again at the desired interval between 1.5 and 22 seconds. However what ever I do the interval stays at roughly 6 seconds.

Talking to Dezzy I asked him about this and when we checked his handbook, dated 1995 it doesn't mention being able to adjust the interval, and his car behaves the same way as mine, his car bing a '96 P reg, mine a 96 N reg.

I changed the wash wipe relay and this has had no affect.

Does any one know if I should be able to vary the interval, or was this a feature on '94 cars that was removed later, and (long shot) can it be retro fitted?

On later cars like mine you only get the 4 interval options based on the position of the sliding switch on the top of the right hand stalk - never heard of the system you're describing, although it would be potentially more useful!

Why were Audi SO slow to bring in auto lights and wipers?! My '99 Citroen Xsara VTS had auto wipers that worked really well......

My 03 Passat had auto wipers, so why on earth my 03 A8 didnt wasnt definitely a bug bear... !

And annoyingly it still had the rain sensor!!!

My '98 VW Transporter had this facility. It's got a variable timer built into the intermittent relay so maybe that's been swapped for one without the timer.

I think the part number is 3B0955531 for the timed version and 191955531 for the fixed interval version AFAIK the 2 parts are directly interchangeable.

Interesting, my relay is part number 431955531

What i don't understand is that the cars are not that far apart age wise but the owners books are different, you would think that the books would be the same and it would say if you have this option fitted. Like it does for say the solar roof.

Does have a spare 3B0955531 kicking around they would like to sell so I can experiment for the greater good?

theres one on ebay HERE

There was a thread on audiforums.us that had the retrofit for auto wipers on the D3.. Will try and remember to look it up when I get back in.

David @ a8parts looked into it, but my car was an early one, and the auto light sensor was different to the later ones incorporating the rain sensor too - Not a straight swop unfortunately.... :(

He's having a laugh isn't he? £40 + p&p for a second hand relay? Brand new from TPS is £30 + VAT but I was hoping to be really cheap and get one for £5-£10 just to try :)

Useful tips on how to find one at a breakers yard...
http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Wiper_Variable_intermittent

And a cheaper one here on eBay. The 197 is significant (and correct):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Sk.../120813832186?

I feel a trip to my favourite breakers yard coming on. I've stopped going since I got the A8 cos they never have one, but this is a great excuse to go on my favourite outing again :)

Don't they all get "transported" automagically to Stokesley? :ROFL:

I agree it might be a bit expensive but I guess you also have to consider that -
a) They are vehicle dismantlers rather than a scrap yard and that must have greater overheads
b) the new cost of the relay and the availability of good OEM second hand ones (and their desirability) will also be a factor
c) He's probably factored in ebay commission which a scrap yard wouldn't have to

But to charge more than a new one, he either hasn't done his home work or doesn't want to sell any.

sorry didnt see the TPS price you had stated lol DOH!
why dont you erm. . .order one from TPS and then return it "in error" once youve found out what you need (or keep it if it resolves things) ?

Found the thread:

http://audiforum.us/threads/upgrade-...4e-2005.12108/

Just had a look at mine, and the one from the thread has a 'teardrop' looking sensor on top where mine has a more rectangular shape. Maybe wasn't available on 2003-2005 models.

I've taken a punt on a '99' relay from ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-AUDI-No...item35b65b337b.

I'll let you know how it goes :)

It arrived today and works like a charm. Thanks for the pointers everyone.

What is perplexing is why Audi didn't fit this as standard in the A8. The additional cost over the non adjustable one must be minimal and from my handbook it would seem that this option was fitted to the very early ones. Weird.

It's odd, and now i need one

Believe me you do, an essential mod me thinks :)

TPS don't do refunds on electrical items, once you order, you're stuck with it.

I remember this relay from the '80's. Most popular mod to the VW Golf I & II, Audi Coupe, Audi Quattro, Audi 100/200.

Most were made by "Doduco", and we used to rape cars in junkyards. The popular part numbers back then had the 431, 437, 443 and 447 prefix which would suggest this was fitted as early as the type 43 and 44 Audi 100/200.

[quote=Nollywood;29538]I remember this relay from the '80's. Most popular mod to the VW Golf I & II, Audi Coupe, Audi Quattro, Audi 100/200.

Most were made by "Doduco", and we used to rape cars in junkyards.QUOTE]

O.....K.....

Those poor cars, have you never stopped to give a thought to your victims? I can see them now in a corner, under the car wash with tears running out of the headlight washers. Beast you are.

Anyway are we saying then that this used to be in early VAG cars then removed all together (as in mine) then replaced later with a crapper option with the 4 position slider on top the stalk?

Could it be one of these safty features as loads of (hard of understanding) people crashed when they couldn't work the wipers and drive at the same time?

I'm going to have me one of these

^^^ ROTFLMBAO!

Yes, those relays were really all the rage back in the '80's. I had 2 Audi 4000's - an '83 and '85. I retro-fitted the relay to my '83, my '85 came with it from new, the manual also explained how to activate it.

I sold my '85 without it, fitted a regular relay, and used the same relay in my '96 A8 4,2 QS. Unfortunately, I forgot to retrieve it when I sold the car on. My '98 S8 had the slider control, same as my '01 S8.

I've fitted this relay now too, great modloving it. The simple things eh?