Variable Intermittent Wiper Upgrade - DIY with pictures
Posted: Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:47 am
Variable Intermittent Wiper Upgrade - replace the stock 1-speed intermittent wiper control with one that has selectable variable intermittent control.
It's pretty straight forward. Take the old one out, reroute and plug in the new one. All the "variable" circuitry is in the stalk, so it's a plug and play swap. I swapped out the stock wiper stalk with one out of a 1999 Legacy GT Limited. (same car that my seats came out of). Here are some part numbers if you want to look them up for the sedan = 83113AC480 and the wagon = 83113AA520.
Here is a picture of what our wiper stalks look like in the 1st gens.
Photo from Rock Auto<--- click for their part listing.
If you are working on a different car and yours doesn't look like that with the pigtail attached, here's a write up for the new style. http://www.subiegal.com/thecars/impreza ... -wiper.htm
Here's what we start with.
Remove the 4 lower column cover screws, and remove the upper and lower plastic column trim "shells". You will also need to remove the lower dash cover to gain access to the underside of the column.
Remove the 2 bolts holding the steering column to the dash support. I didn't get a photo from below, but they are these two spots. Large bolts, access from underneath.
Remove screws that secure the bottom metal plate structure. This one, and the similar one of the other side.
And this one on the side (arrow shows the wrap of white tape to cut)
Turn the steering wheel to either side to access these screws.
Remove the 2 screws holding the wiper stalk to the column
With all those screws removed, you will have enough free play and wiggle room to remove and install the wiper stalks. You will need to slice through a wrap of tape holding the pigtails together. (marked with an arrow in an above image). Under the dash, this is the harness connector. Unplug it, then carefully snake it out of the column.
The install is the reverse of this process. Here is the end result.
Normal disclaimer, don't work on your car if you don't know what you're doing. Expect the worst to happen and hope for the best. I'm not responsible for what you do to your car. Have fun!
It's pretty straight forward. Take the old one out, reroute and plug in the new one. All the "variable" circuitry is in the stalk, so it's a plug and play swap. I swapped out the stock wiper stalk with one out of a 1999 Legacy GT Limited. (same car that my seats came out of). Here are some part numbers if you want to look them up for the sedan = 83113AC480 and the wagon = 83113AA520.
Here is a picture of what our wiper stalks look like in the 1st gens.
Photo from Rock Auto<--- click for their part listing.
If you are working on a different car and yours doesn't look like that with the pigtail attached, here's a write up for the new style. http://www.subiegal.com/thecars/impreza ... -wiper.htm
Here's what we start with.
Remove the 4 lower column cover screws, and remove the upper and lower plastic column trim "shells". You will also need to remove the lower dash cover to gain access to the underside of the column.
Remove the 2 bolts holding the steering column to the dash support. I didn't get a photo from below, but they are these two spots. Large bolts, access from underneath.
Remove screws that secure the bottom metal plate structure. This one, and the similar one of the other side.
And this one on the side (arrow shows the wrap of white tape to cut)
Turn the steering wheel to either side to access these screws.
Remove the 2 screws holding the wiper stalk to the column
With all those screws removed, you will have enough free play and wiggle room to remove and install the wiper stalks. You will need to slice through a wrap of tape holding the pigtails together. (marked with an arrow in an above image). Under the dash, this is the harness connector. Unplug it, then carefully snake it out of the column.
The install is the reverse of this process. Here is the end result.
Normal disclaimer, don't work on your car if you don't know what you're doing. Expect the worst to happen and hope for the best. I'm not responsible for what you do to your car. Have fun!
