Rear wiper timer relay

Unread post by **RichardW** » 31 Jul 2008, 13:18

Anybody know how the timer relay (maybe that's not the right term - I googled it, but didn't find anything useful) works for the rear wiper? The estate really needs the wiper running when driving in the wet but the factory set interval (about 3s) is far too short and it's scraping a dry-ish screen after the first wipe. Could do with about 10s. Is it possible to alter the time delay on the relay to make the wipe interval longer? My previous VSX had variable delay front wipers, which is a feature I miss on the HDi - wonder how difficult this would be to retrofit...???

Unread post by **xantia_v6** » 31 Jul 2008, 14:30

The delay relay is self-contained, and (at least on the hatchback) is mounted in the tailgate.

You may be able to change the delay period by changing a capacitor, but to make it variable is more difficult. I don't think that there would be any wiring pre-installed for a variable delay function.

jeremy · Unread post by **jeremy** » 31 Jul 2008, 21:27

Your estate must be a different shape to my DTR Turbo as I find I hardly ever need to use the rear wiper and I generally push it on and off rapidly which causes it to sweep once and stop.

Be forward looking and just forget it - after all people (including me) were driving around for years in estates without any rear wipers at all.