2000 Z3 wiper relay location

MattInSV

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2021
Points
21
Hello I have been looking online and searching here for the location of the wiper relay because my wipers seem to work about half the time I turn the car on and reach for them. They either work perfectly or I get nothing.

the manual doesn’t show the location of the relay. I found a diagram with three fuses online which are all good. I also found a diagram that shows an R3 in the engine compartment fuse box but I don’t even have the three relays R1 R2 R3. And the box label doesn’t identify the relays, only the fuses. 😡

Another diagram shows some auxiliary panel on the left side of the dash but I can’t find it. I dropped the cover above the pedals and I can see where the wire harness comes through the firewall, but no fuses or relays I can see. 🤔

the bimmer forum had a thread with a bunch of broken images and people saying thanks. It must have been good post at one time.

Here’s the fuse diagram I found online:

 

Pond

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Points
144
Location
Spaldingski, Lincs
Model of Z
Z3 project and E89 Z4
According to the Bentleys manual, there is a wiper and washer control module "behind the glovebox". This has four relays, three switches and a 'feedback contact' relay.

Bear in mind the Bentleys is US specific, so the module may be on the opposite side.
 

MattInSV

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2021
Points
21
According to the Bentleys manual, there is a wiper and washer control module "behind the glovebox". This has four relays, three switches and a 'feedback contact' relay.

Bear in mind the Bentleys is US specific, so the module may be on the opposite side.
Thanks I will check this out. Mine is also US spec. It’s surprising in a car this small they hide things everywhere! Tracing intermittent electrical problems can be particularly difficult.
 

NZ00Z3

Zorg Guru (IV)
Supporter
New Zealand Zeds
Joined
Dec 9, 2014
Points
158
Location
Timaru, New Zealand
Model of Z
3.0L, 2.8L, 2.0L Z3 Roadsters
Please note that the Z3 wiper system has a speed signal in the control pattern.
- Driving down the road, the wipers work as normal
- Stop and they drop down one position automatically. Wipe becomes intermittent, intermittent becomes stopped etc.
- Start driving and they automatically go back to normal operation.

This means, that if you are sitting in the drive, testing the wipers, they do silly things and appear to be not working correctly.
 

MattInSV

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2021
Points
21
Please note that the Z3 wiper system has a speed signal in the control pattern.
- Driving down the road, the wipers work as normal
- Stop and they drop down one position automatically. Wipe becomes intermittent, intermittent becomes stopped etc.
- Start driving and they automatically go back to normal operation.

This means, that if you are sitting in the drive, testing the wipers, they do silly things and appear to be not working correctly.
Thanks I have had the unfortunate opportunity to confirm non-operation on the road at speed. In any case, the manual mist wipe (press down on the wiper lever) should always work, right?
 
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