Programmable intermittant wiper relay mod...
 

On 20v.org, there's a mod for adding a programmable intermittant wiper relay. After searching the forum, it looks like an update is due. Here's what I found for this great and cheap modification to allow you to adjust the time of the intermittant wiper to swipe at any interval.

The original VAG part number is 1HM 955 531 A. (Bosch P/N 0 986 335 058). This part number has been superceded and is difficult to find.

If you're looking in junk yards, this relay is found on Passats from the years 1992-1997. Apparently, it's also available on the following:
Year Make Model
1990 Volkswagen Corrado
1990 Volkswagen Corrado
1991 Volkswagen Corrado
1991 Volkswagen Corrado
1992 Volkswagen Corrado SLC V6
1993 Volkswagen Corrado SLC V6
1994 Volkswagen Corrado SLC V6
1995 Volkswagen Golf Cabrio III ABA
1996 Volkswagen Golf Cabrio III ABA
1997 Volkswagen Golf Cabrio III ABA
1993 Volkswagen Golf III GL 4 CYL
1994 Volkswagen Golf III GL 4 CYL
1995 Volkswagen Golf III GL 4 CYL
1996 Volkswagen Golf III GL 4 CYL
1993 Volkswagen Golf III GTI 4 CYL
1994 Volkswagen Golf III GTI 4 CYL
1995 Volkswagen Golf III GTI 4 CYL
1996 Volkswagen Golf III GTI 4 CYL
1993 Volkswagen Jetta III GL 4 CYL
1994 Volkswagen Jetta III GL 4 CYL
1995 Volkswagen Jetta III GL 4 CYL
1996 Volkswagen Jetta III GL 4 CYL
1993 Volkswagen Jetta III GLS 4 CYL
1994 Volkswagen Jetta III GLS 4 CYL
1995 Volkswagen Jetta III GLS 4 CYL
1996 Volkswagen Jetta III GLS 4 CYL
1990 Volkswagen Passat 16V
1991 Volkswagen Passat 16V
1992 Volkswagen Passat 16V
1993 Volkswagen Passat 16V
1995 Volkswagen Passat GL 4 CYL
1996 Volkswagen Passat GL 4 CYL
1997 Volkswagen Passat GL 4 CYL
1992 Volkswagen Passat V6 AAA
1993 Volkswagen Passat V6 AAA
1994 Volkswagen Passat V6 AAA
1995 Volkswagen Passat V6 AAA
1996 Volkswagen Passat V6 AAA
1997 Volkswagen Passat V6 AAA


A second alternative is to find the new/upgraded relay. It is made by German manufacturer KAE (Kaehler Automotive-Equipment) and the part number is 3B0 955 531 (KAE # 3.200.110). The advantage to this relay is that it remembers the last setting you made. A second advantage is this is a relay that you can find easily. The disadvantage is that you have to use the wiper fluid each time you set it.

As found on Audifans..."The 1HM 955 531 A and 1HM 955 531 B are no longer in production." <THIS IS TRUE> "The 3B0 955 531 part is listed as a CONTROLUNT, costs twice as much as the other two, and has too many pins--one extra small pin that means it won't plug into my '93 90CS. Careful!" <---THIS IS PLAINLY NOT TRUE. The 3BO 955 531 works perfect in my '95 90CSQ. Tested in my '93, and it works as well.

Where to find one:

I found a couple of these, but they were always around 50 bucks. The best place I found is in the US, shipped very quickly, and was much cheaper than I expected to pay (about 30 shipped.) You can find one at the link I provided below.

How to set this relay:

Instead of the old way to program the old relay (VAG # 1HM 955 531 A) which is (from 20v.org):
Operation:

"Turn the wiper switch to the intermittent position then turn it to off. The wiper will wipe once. When you need the wiper to wipe again, you place the wiper switch to intermittent and leave it there. It will remember the time interval and repeat the wipe at this interval. To change the interval, just turn to off (wiper will wipe) and then turn back to intermittent position to set the new time interval. The relay is reset to a 6 second default interval when ignition is turned off. "

The new KAE relay is set in the following (as denoted on s-cars.org):

"Operation: To set the interval, while the stock is in the intermittent position, you pull the stock towards you, to set the first wipe, then repeat to set the interval. It will spray a little wiper fluid unless you can apply just the right amount of pressure." It is settable from 5 to 20 seconds.

This is a stellar mod, and one that should have been added to all german cars IMO! It's very easy as well. Just plug and play.

Redundant (from 20v.org):
Installation:
This relay takes the place of the relay in position #9 in the main fuse box under the hood. The relay to remove is white and has a large 271 printed on the top. Its part number on the side was 443 955 531. Remove this and replace it with the 'programmable' relay.

hah! I've been pondering this for years! good discovery