Auto wipers?

gina2201 · Post by **gina2201** » Thu 30 Oct, 2008 21:04

Something I have noticed lately with all this rain is that when I switch the wipers on (as in full, not intermittent) they go intermittent by themselves when I come to a stop or slow speed. Is this normal for all Z3's? As soon as I move off again they come on properly.

Very handy but unexpected!

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Thu 30 Oct, 2008 21:11

yep standard to my knowledge.

it is a nice feature

ZedMatt · Post by **ZedMatt** » Thu 30 Oct, 2008 22:33

I think it's a BMW thing, used to have it on a 3er I had a while back. I love this feature and wish it were on my Vdub too!

///M_aniac · Post by **///M_aniac** » Thu 30 Oct, 2008 22:41

They are called Speed Sensitive Wipers and I believe they were on all Zeds, although I may be wrong. I too just happened to be slowing down and resting at lights when I noticed them myself a couple of days into my Oxford Green II 2.0 Z3 ownership. It sure didn't seem to rain as much in Belfast 3 years ago.

estocks · Post by **estocks** » Thu 30 Oct, 2008 23:04

Only in Europe do we get the intermittent wipers that change interval based on your speed.

In the US you set the interval by activating the intermittent switch twice to set the period.

coetzejg · Post by **coetzejg** » Fri 31 Oct, 2008 07:45

Hey estocks,

In the US you set the interval by activating the intermittent switch twice to set the period.
How do you do this? I'd be interested to know as the intermittend speed is only a single speed. I'm aware that on all setttings it does slow down when you have stopped. I'd liked to know how you otherwise then set the speed on intermittend. Could you inform us please if you know?

Rob13 · Post by **Rob13** » Fri 31 Oct, 2008 08:39

Hi Coetzejg....you cant change the intermittent - its only US market cars who dont get the speed sensetive wipers....SA BMW's are all euro spec...

coetzejg · Post by **coetzejg** » Fri 31 Oct, 2008 08:55

Great thx Rob, was hoping there'd be a way. Having had rain sensors, it's a bit of an irratance on this car.

Jaco

estocks · Post by **estocks** » Fri 31 Oct, 2008 10:09

coetzejg wrote:Hey estocks,

In the US you set the interval by activating the intermittent switch twice to set the period.
How do you do this? I'd be interested to know as the intermittend speed is only a single speed. I'm aware that on all setttings it does slow down when you have stopped. I'd liked to know how you otherwise then set the speed on intermittend. Could you inform us please if you know?

I read it on a Ron Styger page where he retrofits the EU Wiper controller module.

Try thislink.

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Fri 31 Oct, 2008 13:28

The only problem I have found with this is if it is raining really hard and you come to standstill at a junction for example - the bloody wipers stop, just when you need them most!

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Sat 01 Nov, 2008 12:59

If you have the Euro ones which are speed sensitive, you can also adjust the intermittent interval too.

You do this by flicking the wipers to intermittent, then to off - wait the interval you require, then switch wipers to intermittent again. The interval achievable is approximately 1 seconds to 20 seconds - I've not really measured it on mine - but I find it quite useful when the default interval is not quite right for the rain conditions

mich · Post by **mich** » Sat 01 Nov, 2008 20:26

I was happy with my wiper operation until I read this thread now I am apprehensive, mine seem to work perfectly either moving or stationary the only time they stop is if I leave them going when the screen is dry then the extra resistance kicks in and they stop which is what was intended.

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Mon 03 Nov, 2008 13:13

And_101 wrote:If you have the Euro ones which are speed sensitive, you can also adjust the intermittent interval too.

You do this by flicking the wipers to intermittent, then to off - wait the interval you require, then switch wipers to intermittent again. The interval achievable is approximately 1 seconds to 20 seconds - I've not really measured it on mine - but I find it quite useful when the default interval is not quite right for the rain conditions

Was this ever an option on UK cars? Wasn't standard that for sure.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 04 Nov, 2008 00:06

SpunkyM wrote:
And_101 wrote:If you have the Euro ones which are speed sensitive, you can also adjust the intermittent interval too.

You do this by flicking the wipers to intermittent, then to off - wait the interval you require, then switch wipers to intermittent again. The interval achievable is approximately 1 seconds to 20 seconds - I've not really measured it on mine - but I find it quite useful when the default interval is not quite right for the rain conditions

Was this ever an option on UK cars? Wasn't standard that for sure.

Not an option just standard - not in the book though. A friend who'd owned an older 3 series told me to try it. If you've got the intermittent wipers that adjust the interval depending on your speed, then you can also adjust the interval yourself using the above method - try it...

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Tue 04 Nov, 2008 13:06

Just have - doesn't work.. always about 7 secs interval when on the move.

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Tue 04 Nov, 2008 15:29

SpunkyM wrote:Just have - doesn't work.. always about 7 secs interval when on the move.

Did you switch intermittent on, then as soon as the wiper starts to move, switch the control back to off - then wait the time you want, then move the control back to intermittent?

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Tue 04 Nov, 2008 16:46

Maybe I wasn't quick enough switching it back off again. But certainly just switching it from intermittent to off to intermittent doesn't effect anything. No matter how long you leave it in the off position.

I'll go try it again and this time switch it off again the instant the wipers start to move...

SpunkyM · Post by **SpunkyM** » Wed 05 Nov, 2008 09:16

You know when you've owned a car for over 4 years, and then all of a sudden you discover a new feature....

IT WORKS!!!

All this time, and I never knew it could do that. As you say, no mention in the handbook. Thanks for making it known.

benelvin · Post by **benelvin** » Wed 05 Nov, 2008 13:46

And_101 wrote:
SpunkyM wrote:Just have - doesn't work.. always about 7 secs interval when on the move.
Did you switch intermittent on, then as soon as the wiper starts to move, switch the control back to off - then wait the time you want, then move the control back to intermittent?

You sir, are a jedi.

I can't wait to get home and try this - wrong wiper speed really winds me up

And_101 · Post by **And_101** » Wed 05 Nov, 2008 16:34

Althulas · Post by **Althulas** » Thu 26 Mar, 2009 11:20

Does this feature work on s50 ///M? As I tried this on my drive just after reading this with no luck.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 21:42

Been driving my Z this week in the rain

and wondered if you could adjust the interval timer.

Seems that you can so will have to try it next time

when you are driving in the rain:

1) switch the wipers on to intermittent position
2) the wipers will wipe the windshield once
3) switch them off
4) wait until you need to wipe the windshield again
5) switch the wiper stalk to the intermittent position again, but this time leave it on.

The time between wipes will be equal to the time you waited between turning the wipers off of intermittent operation until the time you switched it back on again (max 20 seconds)

Brian H · Post by **Brian H** » Sun 08 Aug, 2010 22:18

Jonttt wrote:Been driving my Z this week in the rain and wondered if you could adjust the interval timer.

Seems that you can so will have to try it next time

when you are driving in the rain:

1) switch the wipers on to intermittent position
2) the wipers will wipe the windshield once
3) switch them off
4) wait until you need to wipe the windshield again
5) switch the wiper stalk to the intermittent position again, but this time leave it on.

The time between wipes will be equal to the time you waited between turning the wipers off of intermittent operation until the time you switched it back on again (max 20 seconds)

There are 2no: types of wiper modules for the Z, the older model cars do not have this function like mine

I do not have the change over date for the module but I beleive the newer wiper module can be retrofitted onto the older models to allow this function.

Frank.A · Post by **Frank.A** » Mon 09 Aug, 2010 06:47

The variable intermittent timing is standard on my wifes' 2001 Corsa C by switching on/off/on but my Passat has a seperate toggle switch on top of the wiper stalk with 3 settings of intermittent timing.

Jonttt · Post by **Jonttt** » Mon 09 Aug, 2010 08:38

The part number for the adjustable relay is 61358369474

RealOEM say it is fitted to these Z models (ie seems all of them)

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/partxref.do? ... &series=Z3

BUT there are two version of the relay. One for cars fitted with the headlight washer system and one without headlight washers (part number 61358366381).

Its not clear if the other relay has the adjustable feature but that may explain why some people can adjust and others can't ie depends on whether you have headlight washers or not?

Perhaps someone without headlight washers can confirm ?

Brian H · Post by **Brian H** » Mon 09 Aug, 2010 08:59

I can confirm that I do not have this feature on my feb 98 built Z, I recently looked at this for a possible upgrade.

zroadster.net

Auto wipers?

Auto wipers?

Intermittant wipe