2001 Millenia Wiper Control Stalk - Intermittent broken?

[jdigeorgio]

The little ring on the wiper control stalk that controls the intermittent speed seems to be "stripped". It just turns around and around and isn't controlling the wiper speed at all. The wipers work fine - you just can't control the speed on intermittent.

I pulled the end off and looked at it and it doesn't look broken - but apparently something has come undone in there. The plastic control ring is black plastic with a hole in the center and a tension washer/spring attached to it - it's got little ribs on the outside to help you grip it as you turn it. It's not apparent how it actually engages the inner control mechanism to adjust the speed. Perhaps it's supposed to grip a notch in the other mechanism as you turn it but that's not apparent. If that's the way it works - then it's not catching the notch for some reason. Any ideas?

[jdigeorgio]

Ok - I guess no one has run into this. It is a minor problem - but here in Florida it rains a lot and often the first speed it too fast so the intermittent really comes in handy. But with the dial broken, it can't be adjusted. I guess I will go to the dealer and inquire about the part. I am afraid they are going to say the whole arm has to be replaced - and that's going to be too expensive ...

[yel-low]

The arm has to be replaced. The knob is connected to an aluminum shaft that runs to the axis of the steering column. The entire combination switch must be replaced provided you don't want to open up yours and salvage the appropriate broken parts. There are two parts. One is the wiper stalk and the other is the light side. It would be far easier to just swap the switch rather than trying to rebuild it. The part can be found at any salvage yard as it is not a high commodity part. Where in FL are you?

[jdigeorgio]

I am in Jacksonville. I called the dealer today - he quoted me $375. Obviously not going to pursue that.

If you (or anyone) has an understanding of how this part works, please share. I took the end cap off which controls the 1 and 2 speed position. It works fine - the inner plastic sleeve is not cracked or anything. But then you come to the ring which controls the intermittent speed and it's just a dough-not shaped ring that slides on the shaft before the cap end and has a brass "ring" that looks like a compression washer attached to the side of it. It's not clear to me if turning that ring acts as a variable resistor and increases/decreases the speed electronically - or if it actually is supposed to be turning something else as you turn it - which causes the speed to increase/decrease. Any idea how this works?

[bigb]

It's probably an RC delay circuit with the rotating part being a pot of some sort.

anyways, if it's no longer working do like Yel-low said and get a new one from the wreckers.

shouldn't be too much effort to get to it. pull the airbag (be careful!) and then remove the steering wheel. should just come out then.

once you have the spare parts at home, you can take it apart and see if its easier to repair your own switch, or just swap the whole part with yours.

might also want to check ebay for parts. sometimes they put stuff like this up. I think it's called a "combination switch" but I could be wrong

[bigb]

here is one example. I'm sure you can find others

MAZDA MILLENIA COMBINATION SWITCH HEADLIGHT 00-01-02 | eBay

[jdigeorgio]

After I took it apart and popped it back together - I thought it was still broken even though the ring no longer turns 360 degrees like it was doing before I took it apart. It now only moves within the range of the intermittent markings. But I didn't test it because I really didn't "do anything" and assumed it was still broken. Anyway, my wife thanked me for fixing it and I asked her had she used it yet - and she said no but noticed it only rotates within the range now. Anyway, hurricane Irene is headed towards us so I am sure we'll have a chance to really test it soon enough ...

I assume it's still broken and we'll pursue a salvage part as suggested. Thanks for all the info!