Alfa GTV6 Wipers

[Fylnn]

Just checking with those who know.  The wipers on my GTV6 move re-a-ally slowly.  Even on high speed.  Is that normal?  They are way slower than the average Japanese car.

Beyond cleaning earth's, has anyone got any useful upgrades like other motors etc.

[Mick A]

A relay helps significantly!

[giulia_veloce]

Install an ignition switch relay.
It will help the wipers and interior demister fan and everything else run by the ignition switch.
Replays will definatly help,but by adding just a wiper relay will maybe fix half the problem.
The main problem is= all the load goes via the ign switch and a huge voltage drop occurs.
Even to the point of ign switch failure = common these days.
If you want to enjoy your 105s + Alfettas + 33s etc,,install an ignition switch replay.
And while you are at it,,install headlight + high beam relays.Lights will be lots brighter,and will prevent headlight switch failure
This has been discussed many times and is a worth while modification.
Just tell your auto electrition to add an ignition switch replay,and if you can afford it= headlight + high beam relays.
You can also do it yourself,but just get the experts to do it.

Robert

[Al Campbell]

Relays are a good idea but to answer your question, yes the wipers are slow.

I even cleaned & re-greased the wiper gearbox. Didn't make any difference. Toyed with the idea of replacing the motor/gearbox with one from a Corolla, but never got around to it.

What did help was adding Rain-x to the washer water. Helps the rain run off better and lubricates the wipers a bit. I could live with them then. But I'm a bit anal about having a clean windscreen & being able to see through it.

Rainy, humid days are when you notice the need for relays & the low output of the stock alternator at idle. The car is steaming up so you have the rear demister on, heater fan on to try and de-fog the windscreen, maybe it's evening so the headlights are on. Sitting at a stop light with all that electrical load & the wipers are on intermittent - every time they activated the voltage would drop enough to make my radio stop working.

On my GTV6 I added relays for (and recommend):

- Ignition switch - live in "run", helps wipers & lots more. There was actually a spare relay location on the fuse block under the dash.
- Ignition switch - live in"start", starter motor solenoid. Put one in the engine bay near the brake master.
- Headlights. Went the whole hog put in four relays, replacement wiring & new headlight inserts.

Electric window winders are another candidate, but that's a little more complex.

Al.

[GTVeloce]

A relay will make the biggest difference but other things can help. Making sure the moving parts are gunk free and well lubricated also makes a difference. I didn't notice any change with Rain X but others have and no harm in trying it. I polished the glass to try and make it as smooth as possible using a metal polish - that helped.

Finally, other general electrical upgrades can help with everything. I have run numerous new wires but the main ones are a bigger wire (4GA) from the starter motor motor to the junction box (also new - from Jaycar) near the alternator; then a bigger wire to the alternator (8GA). Finally new main earths from the battery to chassis and the engine to chassis (4GA).

Then there is headlight relays, starter relays, heated rear screen relay... the sky is the limit.

[Fylnn]

It is a rally car so it has had the lights relayed, new alternator, new VDO instruments, new interior fan and lots more.  The remaining spaghetti electrics are now the wipers, electric windows, and engine fans.  The ignition relay sounds like a good idea and an easy start that might fix several things at once.  I will give it a try.

Thanks

[gtv6sv]

A problem I'm currently having is that the fuse that runs my wipers keeps blowing!
Even if I put a new one in it blows straight away!
Anyone know what the deal with that is?

[AikenDrum105]

A faulty fuse ?



Unplug the wiper motor and replace the fuse - if it still blows then it's a wiring short.  if not, its probably a short in the motor.



Good luck !

Cheers,

[Fylnn]

Obvious question time, I assume this should be a 40amp relay?  That enough?