Wiper motor upgrade to mk2 / mk3 and wiper mechanism service

This is my experience and process of upgrading the wiper motor as there are not many guides that show detailed pictures of the process and wiring.

I started off with a mk2 wiper motor from Classic VW part number 191955113A.

First remove the plastic caps from the wiper arms. I used a small flat head screw driver to carefully pry them off.

Next loosen the 10mm nuts under the caps.



Don't remove the nut completely, use a ball joint remover tool to release the wiper arms from the splines.



Once the wiper arms have been released from the splines you can remove the 10mm nut and slide the arms off.

Next open the bonnet and undo the 10mm bolt from the wiper motor stabalising arm.



Next disconnect the battery and remove the white wiper motor connector.

 

Undo the 22mm nuts from the wiper arm splines supporting the wiper mechanism underneath the scuttle panel.



Once both nuts have been removed you can slide the entire wiper motor mechanism out from under the scuttle.



Remove the 10mm nut from the centre of the wiper motor first and then the 3 x 10mm bolts which hold the old motor on to the mechanism. Ensure that the mechanism doesn't move or make a note of how it is orientated so it's easier to set up when you're finished.

 

Here is a side by side comparison of the mk1 motor on the left and mk2 on the right.



As the entire mechanism is out I set about re greasing the spline shafts and ball joints.

To remove the spline shafts from the wiper mechanism there is a circlip on each side.

Once the circlips are removed you can carefully slide the spline shaft out. At the top of the spline near the threaded section there is a rubber o ring then a wave / spring washer and finally a normal washer.



I cleaned the shaft removing the old grease and then recoated with silicone grease or white lithium if you prefer it.

For the ball joints I cleaned the old grease off and re coated articulating the joint so the grease covered evenly.

Now reassemble the spline shaft into the mechanism ensuring to add the various washers and finally the circlip.

 

Next attach the motor in the following orientation using the 3 x 10mm bolts.



The motor I had used had an 8mm threaded shaft so I couldn't use the stock nut. I used a 13mm serrated washer nut with an internal 8mm thread which did the job:



 

I understand some people run the wiper motor without anything supporting the mechanism at the front as the mk2 / mk3 motor doesn't have a bracket built in.

I decided to make a stainless bracket using a cardboard template to work out the folds I needed.

Reinstall the mechanism in to the scuttle. Align the plastic stand off's with the contour of the body panel and then attach the 22mm nuts. If you decide to make a supporting bracket use hardware to mount that in the stock location.

Next is the wiring. People suggest to get hold of an off cut from the donor mk2 or mk3 but I bought a new connector from classic vw and made my own loom.

My new connector didn't have any numbers to indicate the positions but I found a picture online which gave me the correct colours left to right.



I copied these on my loom.



With the connector retaining clip facing down the colours were left to right:

Black / White
Green / Yellow
Green / Black
Green
Brown

I decided to un pin the mk1 white wiper connector and directly connect the spade terminals covering them in adhesive heatshrink. Match the colours from your wiring loom tail you made to the mk1 wiper wires.




I then covered the heat shrunk wires in tesa tape and connected the plug to the motor.

 

Now that everything is mounted you can reconnect the battery.

Without the wiper arms connected try the wipers with the stalk to ensure they are rotating correctly and it returns to the correct resting point.

Now you can attach the wiper arms with the washer and 10mm nut.

Run the wipers to gauge their position and adjust as necessary until you have the desired sweep.



Finally add the plastic caps and stand back and admire your quick wiper action 

Good post - your bracket is somewhat tidier than mine!

Great write up! question, how did you mount the bracket on the motor side? Only on one of the bolts that mounts the motor? And if so, wouldn't that offset the motor because of the extra height of the bracket, or did you shim out the other paws?

This fellow has made a similar bracket but he riveted it straight to the mechanism, but I think your bracket would be easier to make!

Bartem said

Great write up! question, how did you mount the bracket on the motor side? Only on one of the bolts that mounts the motor? And if so, wouldn't that offset the motor because of the extra height of the bracket, or did you shim out the other paws?

This fellow has made a similar bracket but he riveted it straight to the mechanism, but I think your bracket would be easier to make!

Thank you 👍🏼 😁,

2 ways you can do it, as you said shim with washers on the other 2 mounting location to ensure the height matches your bracket thickness

Or

I checked the motor worked first and ground some alloy off the leg where the bracket was mounted ensuring the height matched.

Obviously your warranty would be void doing this to the motor but in hindsight the shims would do the same.