how to slow wipers down?

how does the wiper speed control work on a 93 escort? im constantly annoyed that there is no setting between the 'off' and 'intermittent'.

it isnt, by any chance, a variable resistor? if so, could i put another variable resistor inline and mount it on the dash?

any ideas?

anthony

I kind of doubt a variable resistor, potentiometer or rheostat will help. Mine works OK, seems like a switch. You may have a wire loose, broken, or shorted, a defective switch, or motor. Live with it.

I kind of doubt a variable resistor, potentiometer or rheostat will help. Mine works OK, seems like a switch. You may have a wire loose, broken, or shorted, a defective switch, or motor. Live with it.

um, 'live with it'? thanks for the great advice.

i was hoping it was a resistor because i would be surprised if there were going to be four leads just to control the wiper speed.

anyone know for sure?

anthony

I believe it is a resistor... I have a schematic and will check it later and let you know for sure.
Is your intermittent, or slowest speed adjustable? If you simply have a slow speed and a fast speed it will be on a switch. Mine has a dial to adjust the slowest speed, then a low speed, then a high speed. When on the intermittent/adjustable setting the speed is controlled by the resistor.

After reading your post again I think I understand that your vehicle does not already have the variable speed, but you want to install one. I misunderstood that the variable speed simply wasn't working.
These cars do use a rheostat and you can likely install one pretty easily if you are handy with that sort of thing.

Personally I think yer best bet is to hit a junkyard and find a car w/ the variable speed wipers, take teh whole assembly and swap it our. I'd bet dollar to doughnuts the wiring is the same in the clumn.

After reading your post again I think I understand that your vehicle does not already have the variable speed, but you want to install one. I misunderstood that the variable speed simply wasn't working.
These cars do use a rheostat and you can likely install one pretty easily if you are handy with that sort of thing.

i am 'pretty handy' and would like to give it a shot.

are you saying that you beleive that the rotary switch that controls my non-variable wiper speeds (three speeds, i think) is actually a rheostat?

if so, that would make me very happy. i just wanted to know before i start taking things apart so as to save myself a lot of time.

anthony

I am looking at a schematic of a 94 Escort...

The wiper arm has 4 functions:
1. Low speed
2. High speed
3. "One Touch" (push/pull)
These three are a standard switch.
4. Intermittant is connected to a rheostat, which you control through the dial on the wiper control arm.
The color codes are as follows (for a 94 and other early 90's anyway)
Low: DB/W joining DG/Y from the computer
High and One Touch: DB/R joining DG/W
Intermittant: DB/O joining DG/Y
Rheostat: O joining BR
Washer: DG joining DB (This goes straight to the Wiper fuse and avoids the computer).

mighty moose- many thanks for taking the time to look that up. thats really helpful.

anthony

No problem... I am constantly flipping through the schematics trying to solve my own crisis... I always have it handy!