Intermittent Wipers Backwards - Fix? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

***05Moose*** · 10-17-2010, 06:53 PM

Anyone try fixing the problem Toyota has with their intermittent wiper delay dial working backwards? I know this is a problem across their models because the newer (09 and 10 models) Tacoma has them wired backwards too. Today was the first time driving it in the rain and it's really frustrating when I've got it memorized from both the Tacoma and the previous highlander that the thicker part of the delay (up on both models) means more delay (turning the visible part of the dial up towards the windshield). In the 2010 HL (as well as the 2010 Tacoma), turning the dial toward the thicker marking is causing the wipers to sweep faster. I know many have taken their Tacomas in to complain only for Toyota to say it's normal. Well of course it's normal, you're wiring all of them backwards! Today I was constantly turning it the wrong way when I needed to increase the frequency and vice versa! And this is going to be ongoing whenever I switch between the vehicles. Ugh!

I noticed Toyota doesn't tell you which way to turn it in the owners manual for the HL. But my Tacoma manual states, "Twist the band upward to increase the time between sweeps, and downward to decrease it." This is how all the Toyota models have been: Camry, Sienna, RAV4, 2005 Highlander, 2005 Tacoma. So, anyone try fixing this themselves? I think someone at the factory is swapping two wires in the slots of a plug, but then why would this happen at different factories?

***Zembonez*** · 10-17-2010, 07:26 PM

What is there to fix? Every vehicle's controls have to be learned. Once you do, they become second nature. Granted, some of them really do not seem very logical.

What you want is really a redesign. I doubt swapping plugs will get you there.

MikeyD25 · 10-17-2010, 07:41 PM

I previously drove an '06 H/L AWD and currently drive an '09 RAV4; to tell you the truth I can't tell you if the fat part of the dial was/is slow or fast! All I know is when I needed/need to control the speed of the delay I just turned/turn the ring until I was/am satisfied. Hope that wasn't too confusing!

MD