Thing Wiper Motor Research Project

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 9:32 pm

More than a few years ago, I have a few VW Things parked in the yard and they had good wiper motors. Everybody was talking online about how to get both speeds to work, how to get the motor to park and a number of other issues..... I paid little or no attention because I thought that my wipers work, why should I care. Time moved on and things changes.. After countless interactions with the VW Thing wiper motor, I am now not an expert but I do know a few things about it. In 1967 and 1968 VW produced (SOME) wiper motors for the Bug that share (SOME) parts with the Thing only wiper motor. I would like to create a discussion here to compile information concerning the perfect restoration of the VW Thing wiper motor. I know more than a little (THANKS to more than a little help from my friends) but still lack plenty of information. Lets complete the circle and compile the rest of the data/ BtW I can rebuild ANY Thing wiper motor given the parts needed. Part of the purpose of this thead is to compile more sources of the parts needed to create perfectly working VW Thing wiper motors... That includes a newly formed group of enthuisats who desire using a marine wiper motor...

Captain Spalding · Post by **Captain Spalding** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 11:00 am

Hi K,

I think I read somewhere that the wiper motor from a Unimog or Pinzgauer is identical except that it is wound for 24 volts. Have you heard anything like that? It might be easier to have an otherwise working motor rewound for 12 volts rather than repair the mechanicals of a broken stock Thing motor.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:15 am

Yes the wiper motor from a Unimog or Pinzgauer is identical except that it is wound for 24 volts. The Unimog uses one wiper motor on each side two total motors. I suspect that you can put a Thing armature into a Unimog motor and it would be instantly a 12 volt motor. This is the same procedure used to turn a 6 volt SWF motor into a 12 volt motor. CIP1 sells the 12 volt armatures for around $30 I have never confirmed that these aramtures will actually work in our Thing wiper motors. I am in the process of waiting for them to come back into stock to test the theory.

K-mann

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:23 am

k-mann,

the other source of parts is rear wiper motors from volvo 240 wagons. this would be from approximately late 70's to late 80's. not sure on the very late 240 (they were made until 93), but they are probably all the same. the wiper motor is very similar and when i did my own thing motor rebuild, i used some internals from a volvo rear window motor - iirc what i needed was the points assembly that makes the wipers park. i took this from the volvo motor and made it work on the thing one with little difficulty.

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 10:02 am

I found this Volvo rear wiper motor on ebay Item # 8076735818

Is this the correct motor for Thing wiper parts?

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:45 am

no, that isn't it. looks like there is a cutoff around '90 where the motor changed.

this is the one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Volvo-24 ... dZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/volvo-24 ... dZViewItem

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:34 pm

Great link Scott. That is a Volvo 245 79-87 A fellow wiper motor experts tells me taht the only use of this motor is a conversion as the inside parts will not cross over for rebuild purposes. I invite comments on this. The good news is there are atons of these motors around for around $20.....

My personal goal is to amass repair/rebuild parts for Thing wiper motors. I am currently researching a source that can rewind old armatures. I do have a soruce of new armatures (out of stock currently) I love a research adventure.

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 8:01 pm

i used parts from a volvo motor to rebuild my thing motor. specifically the points that make it park. there are other bits inside that can be made to work, i am sure of it. i am just not sure what they are

Kubelmann · Post by **Kubelmann** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:13 am

That is good information Scott as those point are one of the more common parts to get worn out or even more often broken. Do you know if the Volvo 245 rear wiper motor is a two speed unit?

On a different issue, does anyone have any good ideas about what wwire to use to replce the two sections of wire that goe from the brushes to the terminal block. Somebody mentioned the wire that is used inside hogh powered remote control cars.

germansupplyscott · Post by **germansupplyscott** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:26 am

the brushes are the same on the volvo motor also, or close enough. it is braided wire and yes vey similar wire is used on slot cars. volvo motor is one-speed.

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Thing Wiper Motor Research Project

Thing Wiper Motor Research Project

Re: Thing Wiper Motor Research Project