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Inexpensive Fix for Headlite Wipers Posted by TonyJ [Email]  (#407)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from TonyJ) on Fri, 22 Apr 2005 20:20:24
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In a previous post "Headlite Wiper Curent?, I asked:
"See previous thread "source of headlite washer motors?":
"I am hot on the trail of an inexpensive replacement for the troublesome PTC resettable fuses (similar to a PTC thermistor), but won't have time until after the holiday. Meanwhile, if a few people could measure the maximum current under full load (i.e. in the car, with the wiper not yet wet) of a properly working motor, that would provide useful data to select a device. Thanks in advance."
No one responded and with colder weather, the problem diminshed and went to the bottom of the list. As things warmed up here recently, the right wiper on our 97 began to again rest annoyingly at random angles, so I made some measurements (0.8A no load, 6.9A stalled) and did some experiments with a "good" device (the ~ 0.4-inch square, .045 thick item with metallized faces that plugs between two copper strips next to the motor. The one that was failing tripped at less than 3 amps, while a good one opens at about 5. So I ordered some PolySwitch resettable fuses from digikey (http://www.digikey.com). The RGE-300 trips at 5Amps and seems to be a good replacement; it costs only $0.61, but you may want to order 10 to get the price break and they have a service charge for orders under $25, so you may to order other stuff too.
The RGE-300 is leaded and packaged with an insulating ceramic coating, but I was able to install it without grinding anything away as follows. Using pliers without serrations, squeeze each lead flat then bend it back over down the middle of the body so the 2 flattened leads are parallel. Where they extend past the body, bend them around the edge and cut them off so there is about 1/64" between them. Then slip it in place of the original square device between the two copper strips next to the motor, making sure it is securely wedged. Fingers in the cover will hold it in place. It works very well so far. If anyone comes up with a better technique, please post. Good luck.
TonyJ
94 Aero 5 sp. 95K
97 CSE turbo 5 sp. 97K
posted by 24.34.16...
, Fri, 22 Apr 2005 20:20:24 <-- Viewing This Message
, Fri, 22 Apr 2005 21:18:14, Wed, 27 Apr 2005 18:11:28
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