Adding variable intermittent wipers on an early box, the easy way
 

My 97 came without the variable intermittent wiper dial, and I wanted to add similar functionality without too much work or cost.

I came across a few mentions on other forums about using a VW relay, seems to be a thing in Volvo, Mercedes etc circles. I couldn't find any mention of this process on here so thought I'd add it.

There seems to be a number of different similar relays around, with similar numbers, some of which may or may not work. Googling will get you some discussion and alternatives, however the one I got and works for me is VW part #357 955 531, with '99' printed on the top...

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01/+_571456278282.jpg

There are quite a few all over eBay from $10+, I got mine from a guy in Germany.

Installation is just removing the old wiper relay, which is in position #16 in the relay box under the dash above the fuse box (it's the single blue one to the right of the double convertible top relay on the second row from bottom), and inserting the new smaller VW one. It was a bit of a pain to remove the old one, but with a lot of yanking and swearing it finally just slides straight out.

With the new relay in place, the intermittent function works in this way...

1) Flick the wiper stalk to intermittent once, then quickly off again.
2) Wait as long as you want the wiper delay to be.
3) Flick the wiper stalk to intermittent again and leave it there. The wipers will remember the delay and continue to run at the speed you set.

To change the speed just repeat the process. Simple!

Cool :cool:
Actually seems simpler to use than the seperate dial, too. :cheers:

But you don't get any fancy dials, or get rid of any of the dash dummy plugs!!!

Just kidding, this is definitely easier than having to break open the relay and solder. Probably a better and cheaper solution for a lot of people, unless you like fancy dash dials. :D

The feng shui of the dash is vastly improved when you install the OEM variable intermittent wiper. The round dial of the control balances the round knob of lighter.

After installing my garage door opener using the targa switch and the intermittent wiper, I have only two blank switches on my dash.

Dual "lighter" outlets look pretty good, too. ;)

http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/a...otos/027-2.jpg

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1456290783.jpg

Intermittent control on left, lighter on the right, and Porsche crest in the middle.

When the splash screen displays the Porsche crest, the flow of energy (qi), is at its most favorable.

The dual lighter outlets would minutely improve the qi since they are slightly more symmetrical than the lighter and the wiper control. The blue lighting must be applied to the entire dash.

I have missed this feature very much since parting with my 1993 VW Corrado many years ago. I've had rain-sensing wipers in several cars since then, but this programmable relay bests them all. I have the variable switch on my dash, but I think I'll install this relay because I love the functionality so much. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

That is cool! Thanks for the post. My dummy dash plug is now being used for an AUX outlet I had installed in my CDR23, so this sounds perfect for me. Does sound like it could involve putting some money in the swear jar getting the old relay out though [emoji16]


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I bought a complete 911/996 under dash wiring harness to extract the wiring needed to connect to the variable knob/switch. It came with the relay needed, so I've made most of my money back. Found on ebay from a guy lots cheaper than usual qualityporscheparts. FWIW, that harness weighs at least 60 pounds if not more.

I received my VW relays the other day and installed one just now. It took about 8 seconds to install, I had no troubles getting the Porsche relay out. It's so nice to have this feature again!

Ordered relay, hope it goes well!


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My car has the dial already but great find. Thanks for sharing. I've bought and sold a couple of '98's that I would have done this to in a heartbeat!

I'll do it on the next one!

Mine has the dial, too, but this is about 400% better.

Easiest and most helpful mod ever!!!


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Oh, if any other forum member is interested, my eBay seller was late shipping the relay to me and to make up for it sent me two. The other one is available. PM me.


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IM sent! Sounds like a very useful mod for a daily driven boxster in the greater Seattle area. :)

Extra relay going to Jakeru.

Thanks Oldskool, I'll give that a try. Figures there was a lot easier way to get VARIABLE intermittent wipers than the whole wiper hack. Particlewave, I like the idea of two lighter sockets since I won't need the dial.

Thanks for this great tip! Bought the car 3 months ago and the original relay was toasted and lost intermittent operation. This mod is totally plug & play and love the function with variable adjustment. Hard part was to find one, I bought one on eBay but it never arrived from Europe... just scored another one in Wisconsin at reasonable cost.

We finally got a little rain today in MA and on my way to the indie I used the intermittent wipers. I really like them even compared to those with a dial on our Hondas. With this, I set the delay exactly how long I want it - compared to twisting dials and guessing like " let's see if a quarter turn is equal to 3 seconds."


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+++ on this relay, switched mine this weekend, marvelous.

Picked up a the relay at a local pick N pull. They rang it up at almost $13 and for some reason, I was expecting it to be less, especially given that I just spent an hour in the hot FL sun looking at stuff!

Well, my face must have shown my disappointment. The lady at the counter said..."that sounds high!" tossed the relay into my tool bag and wished me an nice day.

Came home and did a 1 minute install. I made sure it worked (it did) and now will wait for some rain!

BTW, part came of a 99 Jetta. Relays are on left leg side of drivers side under dash.

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/...psuoe9fkqf.jpg

Found one at a junkyard yesterday. Worked perfectly. Thank you! Couldn't be happier. One of the things I hated the most on my Boxster.

..........

intermittant wiper
 

I may be coming late to this thread, but I need a better explanation. Obviously I can get that VW relay and swap out the existing one. I understand that. But where does that knob (on the left side of the radio) come into play. i just have a blank spot there. And I've never tried, so how can you put the wiper in 'intermittant mode" if that doesn't exist? Thanks.

The VW relay is superior in every way but aesthetics, since it's basically infinitely variable. To set the time between wipes, you put it in intermittent for one cycle, go back to off, wait your desired time, then flip it back to intermittent. It keeps that delay until the ignition is turned off.

I have the knob and am so much happier with the VW relay.

@ray_pilot : I also have a blank spot there, hence no VARIABLE intermittent wiper functions, hence this upgrade.

You do however already have a FIXED time intermittent mode, it's just up on the wiper stalk instead of down (or down instead of up, can't remember unless I'm in the car :) ) But the wait time is fixed... wipe>wait 2 seconds>wipe>wait 2 seconds etc...

This mod does what the dial does without needing to fit the dial, and arguably better as some users have pointed out.

Having just taken the 986 on a long drive down the east coast - the first day in rainy conditions - I can tell you the variable wiper relay came in very handy. Unlike a rotating switch or knob where you're sort of guessing how long the delay will be or tinkering by turning the knob, with this hack you control exactly the timing of the wiper swipe. Pull stalk down one click and immediately back up to the off position - then just wait your desired interval and pull down again.


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It seems like I've been using my variable intermittent wiper feature all the time over here in rainy Seattle, recently! (Looking forward to seeing what the sun looks like again one of these days.)

(Just wanted to give a shout out to grc0456 for generously sending an extra one of these relays he had my way!! :) Thanks again!)

Good find. Ordered a relay. Thanks for posting!

[QUOTE=This mod does what the dial does without needing to fit the dial, and arguably better as some users have pointed out.[/QUOTE]

I added the intermittent wipers using the dial that I obtained free from a wreck. The major advantage of the dial to me is that I know longer need to look at the black plastic piece covering the hole where the dial is located. It made the car feel like an entry-level economy model.

Just did this on my '98 base.... Works like a charm!

Put relay 99 is grat update, works perfect on my Boxster S 2003 do not need my turnning knob any more.
But what to do with it? Remove and put there something else?

Any good idea?

I added a 3-way toggle switch there to manually turn on the radiator fans, low and high speeds.

I bought a 2005 Mercedes C230 to drive when I need to carry more people or luggage than the Boxster can handle. I also like a more substantial car in the rain or snow.

The car came equipped with rain sensing wipers. The feature works well.

I think rain-sensing wipers can be retrofitted on the 986. I may look into that modification. It is a terrible burden to change the length of time between wiper passes.

I understand the VW relay mod, but I would like the aesthetics of adding the potentiometer knob. Does anyone know of an existing thread that describe how to add that to a base 98 without the option?

The only way to get the dial to work is with a 996 relay. Unless you just wanted a dummy dial that wasn't connected to anything. I have instructions on my website for adding intermittent wipers with the dial, I may have also posted them on this forum when I originally wrote it. :cheers:

i bought the '99' relay to have intermittent wipers on my '04 base Boxster....i found several relays located under the dash near the driver's left leg....which of these relays does the '99' relay replace?

thanks...
cliff

From the OP above:

"Installation is just removing the old wiper relay, which is in position #16 in the relay box under the dash above the fuse box (it's the single blue one to the right of the double convertible top relay on the second row from bottom), and inserting the new smaller VW one. It was a bit of a pain to remove the old one, but with a lot of yanking and swearing it finally just slides straight out."

perfect....thanks....

cliff