Georgia Fiero Club Forum

All Things Fiero => General Fiero Discussion => Topic started by: TopNotch on August 22, 2010, 08:19:38 pm

Title: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: TopNotch on August 22, 2010, 08:19:38 pm

I have developed a fix for the "phantom wiper" problem. You know -- you're driving down the road, and your wipers make one swipe of the windshield. Or you turn on your turn signal, and get a wiper swipe.
My fix requires no soldering or disassembly of anything. You just connect one wire from my little box to one of the wires on the connector to your delay wiper assembly with a clamp-on splicer, and connect the other to an existing screw. In 5 minutes or less, your problem is solved.
I have not decided on a price for this, but I'm thinking $15.00 post paid in the US, and maybe $20.00 elsewhere.
I will not sell any of these until I actually have some made (no "pre-orders" taken, like some have done -- I got suckered by one of those myself.)
I only have the prototype now (on my 86 SE, and working fine), but I will make more if you indicate an interest.

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: Fierofool on August 22, 2010, 08:57:54 pm

Patent it before you let it out.  Somebody will copy it and undercut your price.  I'll take one for my 85.

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: Rat Pee 86 on August 22, 2010, 09:02:54 pm

Pat,

I would also be interested in getting one of your wiper fix boxes.  The phantom wiper thing is getting worse in my car by the day.

Tom Ott

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: TopNotch on August 24, 2010, 11:46:39 am

I went to Frys during my lunch break yesterday and found enough parts to make a few of these. I have ordered more parts online, because quite a few people have expressed an interest.
The final (non-prototype) version looks like this:


Installed in a car, it looks like this:

You can see that one wire is clamped to one of the wiper control wires, and the other is grounded using one of the HVAC fan mounting screws.

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: TopNotch on August 24, 2010, 11:57:13 am

Quote from: Fierofool on August 22, 2010, 08:57:54 pm

Patent it before you let it out.  Somebody will copy it and undercut your price.  I'll take one for my 85.

Since I work in a high tech company, I know what a hassle it is to get a patent these days. I think I'll just take my chances. Besides, I think my only market is 80's GM cars. I haven't had any trouble with phantom wipers on other cars.

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: TopNotch on September 11, 2010, 05:28:50 pm

If you bought one of these at the meeting today, and like it, maybe you could give me a good word in this thread (http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum4/HTML/053446.html).

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: GTRS Fiero on April 25, 2017, 11:17:16 pm

The link above didn't work.  I don't have this issue, but bought something similar, I think from Chief.  What happened to this?

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: TopNotch on April 26, 2017, 07:44:21 am

I got tired of making them and published the schematic on Pennock's, so you could make them yourself.

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: GTRS Fiero on April 26, 2017, 07:47:51 am

Thanks.  I guess I do remember seeing that.  I guess Chief made his from that.  I never installed his.

What is/was the significance of 5 minutes?

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: TopNotch on April 26, 2017, 09:54:02 am

Quote from: GTRS Fiero on April 26, 2017, 07:47:51 am

What is/was the significance of 5 minutes?

If you're referring to the first post, that's about how long it takes to install the device.

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: f85gtron on April 26, 2017, 12:32:12 pm

I think Pennocks got reorganized at some point and 404 congress up for your link (for me, anyways).  Could you post the schematic here? 

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: TopNotch on April 26, 2017, 01:17:11 pm

This is all there is to it...

For best results, use a mil spec capacitor.

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: f85gtron on April 26, 2017, 04:45:40 pm

Wow!  That's it?! Cool!

Title: Re: Gauging interest in an easy "phantom wiper" fix that really works.
Post by: GTRS Fiero on April 26, 2017, 05:47:58 pm

How did the box mount?