Delay wiper upgrade for 850 / V70 models

mdempst_79 · Post by **mdempst_79** » 22 Jan 2010, 10:41

Hello,

I just wanted to share some information regarding the delay wiper systems on our cars. As you all know there is only one delay setting which is either too short or too long, but hardly ever right.

I purchased a Volkswagen wiper delay relay from ebay for about $10 which allows you to "program" your delay time by flicking your wipers to the delay mode for one wipe, then back off for your "time span" and then back to delay, and it will hold that time setting.

I have successfully installed this into my 97 850, which only takes 5 minutes to do. There is a relay panel under the dash above the left foot, which also has the chime unit (a good time to rip this annoying thing out). simply unplug your old unit and plug in the new one.

The VW/Audi part number for this relay is 1HM955531A

(See attached image). I am sure if you are around a wrecking yard you can pull one out of any 1992+ VW and it will work. My relay has 9.9 written on the top in big white numbers, so it should be easy to identify it in the fuse box of a VW.

Post by **jblackburn** » 22 Jan 2010, 11:48

This is awesome! Good to know, I've always hated only having 1 setting on my car.

I'm going to pin this for now so other people know about it

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 22 Jan 2010, 12:02

Relay 99 is also used by Saab ( and maybe Audi? )
I'm pretty sure I've seen them mentioned for other Euro brands, as well.
IPD has had these around for years and they offer a very good explanation about their operation:

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-S70V70-1998 ... -493-1069/

I know I really like mine!

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 22 Jan 2010, 12:38

I got sick of the wiper settings so I bought the IPD intermittent wiper relay. Very nice.

Post by **matthew1** » 22 Jan 2010, 15:16

Interesting. In 2003 or so I emailed a few auto electronics importers looking for the comparable relay so that I could sell them here at MVS. (I made a feeble attempt back then to sell things like remote keyfob batteries.) I wanted to undercut IPD's price, which back then was -- going off of my memory here -- $50-80, somewhere in there. I knew the part couldn't be more than $5 in bulk.

I never was able to determine what I needed and let the project slide into the "one day..." pile.

db130 · Post by **db130** » 22 Jan 2010, 17:37

vw wiper relays that are labeled "197" and "198" are known to work as well.

Post by **JRL** » 22 Jan 2010, 21:21

I've used these since 1998 no biggie, though it does work!

vilified89 · Post by **vilified89** » 23 Jan 2010, 19:27

Went to the junkyard today, looked at many VW's and Audi's could not find relay 99. Could this relay be known by any other name?

pt850 · Post by **pt850** » 24 Jan 2010, 18:11

On the various Volvo parts websites, these delay relays are described as for rear window wiper -- can they also be used for the windshield wipers? Can the VW/Audi relay work up front as well?
many thanks.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 25 Jan 2010, 13:06

pt850 wrote:On the various Volvo parts websites, these delay relays are described as for rear window wiper -- can they also be used for the windshield wipers? Can the VW/Audi relay work up front as well?
many thanks.

I'd bet the one that these sites are referring to is the stock "Fixed" delay interval relay for the rear.
The 99 is the adjustable unit in question and ( as far as I know) is just for the front.