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Variable Intermittent Wipers


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Hello all...

 

Has anyone with a standard Legacy/Outback ever done a conversion to the variable speed intermittent wipers that come with the Outback Limited? Almost every time it rains or snows, I wish I had the ability to adjust the time delay between wipes rather than just have one delay. This doesn't sound like a difficult conversion and I'm sure the parts can be obtained from the local Subaru dealer. I may look into it soon if nobody else has. If I find anything out, I'll post my findings.

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I don't know about your 99, but I looked into it a few years ago on my 97 Outback.

 

It was not a simple upgrade for the 97 model year. The dealer said it could be done, but they would have to replace the stalk, the control model, probably rig up some wiring as well. It was going to be a few hundred $ before I was done!! :eek:

 

Many years ago (late 80's), I had added variable speed wipers to my 85 and 88 Civic. Canadian Tire Corp in Canada has a unit that can do this for $27 Cdn. I was going to go that route, but just couldn't seem to find a suitable mounting place that would not have it at some reach, or would not be sticking out real ugly somewhere. The box is not big, (3" x 2" x 1" sort of thing), but not real tiny either. (I was contemplating whether one could bury the box and rig up a flex cable to the knob to operate it... hmmm)

 

With some internet searching, I came across the RainTracker. It was even more money at the time, but I bought one and installed it. It's an optical rain sensing wiper system. And it works beautifully! It took a bit to install, but it was not that difficult. It appears that it is a different model now (but similar or same function). You will need the little XC-1 sensitivity control. Cars that have variable speed turn that control into a sensitivity control.

 

The company was great to deal with. (I had a little shipping snafu, but they more than made good on it.) I have even ordered another for my wife's car, but have yet to install it. It does virtually "disappear" as they say. You set the sensitivity that you like, and forget about it. You still have full manual control as well, so you can do the single swipe, or turn fully on, etc as you want/need. The algorithm is not going to be perfect for everyone or every car, but it comes really really close. Like 98%, and I'm a perfectionist sort of guy!

 

Check it out... Highly recommended!

 

Commuter

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
Originally posted by ferret

I've done this on an '02 Forester L model (S has variable speed intermittent). Just replace the wiper switch with the featured one. Cost me $72. Probably close to the same on the Outback.

To access the mounting screws for the wiper switch, did you have to remove the entire switch assembly? Thanks.

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On the Forester, I removed the upper and lower plastic housing around the steering wheel, Then unplugged the switch and removed 2 screws and it was out. Replacement was just as easy.

Now .......-------.......------- Voila...variable speed intermittent wipers.:)

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Thank you both for the replies. I tried also to find out some more on my own, and it seems on '98+ Impreza and Forester, and '00+ Legacy the wiper switch is accessible w/o removing the switch assembly from the column. For pre-'98, it's less certain, but an adjustable switch is still a straight swap for non-adjustable.

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