Euro Headlight Wiper System - Install Questions, Pic Request - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Squabble · #1 02-21-2012, 09:35 AM

does anyone have any info or pictures on a w123 headlight washer/wiper system set up? i bought a complete kit off of a forum member but i'm looking for set up instructions or some pictures.

especially looking for pics or measurements for drilling the holes in the bumper for the nozzles, routing of the washer fluid tubes, where and how the wires are attached, info on the pump motor, and the drilling of the holes in the panel under the headlights.

also, how and when are these things activated? every time i use the spray on the windshield? every time i use the spray and the lights are on? what was the stock set up?

thanks!

compu_85 · #2 02-21-2012, 09:38 AM

From the factory they run every time you run the squirters with the parking or headlights on.

-J

ROLLGUY · #3 02-21-2012, 11:05 PM

I installed a set in my 280E a while back. For the wiring, the harness going inside the car has a brown wire that bolts near the steering column, and the other wire gets screwed into the fused terminal for the wipers in the fuse panel. It can be done from under the hood, but is very difficult. Remove the nut holding the fuse panel, and pull it through the hole with the back side facing you (of course disconnect the battery first). I would cut the end of the terminal so you can slide it on instead of removing the screw totally. It is also easier to install if you remove the gauge cluster. As for drilling for the wiper shaft, I used a small pilot drill from the back side drilling through the center of the hole for the motor shaft. The final hole is about 3/8" if I remember correctly. The existing washer pump wiring connector gets plugged into the headlight wiper harness, and the relay gets snapped into a hole in the sheet metal plate with the plastic cover in it (on top of the wheelhouse). The additional pump gets plugged into the new harness. I am not sure where to drill the holes for the washer nozzles, as mine already had holes in the Euro bumpers. The holes have square notches for the nozzle to snap into, so those may be a little hard to duplicate, but not impossible. The original nozzles are about $50.00 each, so I would use just the regular windshield nozzles for a 123 that mount in the hood (only cost about $7.00 each).

Added:
The wiring from the factory is clipped along the bottom core support with the factory zip ties. I think it is done before the radiator is installed. When I did my 280E, I did not want to pull the radiator, so I just ran the wires in front of the radiator along the bottom. The rest of the wiring is just bundled with the factory wiring.

t walgamuth · #4 02-22-2012, 05:59 AM

Hey Squabble, did you see my fs post with the euro headlight angle adjuster I pulled from my euro 280e for sale?

Clearly you need it!

Squabble · #5 02-22-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

For the wiring, the harness going inside the car has a brown wire that bolts near the steering column

can elaborate as to where this gets plugged in? is this the brown wire with the two-pronged plug?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

It is also easier to install if you remove the gauge cluster.

which part is easier to install, the steering column plug or the fuse panel attachment?

is the fuse panel attachment the wire that has the loop at the end, typically used for grounding?

tom, mine came with the headlight adjuster already installed, but thanks! now i'm just kicking myself for now buying your skid plate...

thanks everyone for the help!

ROLLGUY · #6 02-22-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squabble

can elaborate as to where this gets plugged in? is this the brown wire with the two-pronged plug?

which part is easier to install, the steering column plug or the fuse panel attachment?

is the fuse panel attachment the wire that has the loop at the end, typically used for grounding?

tom, mine came with the headlight adjuster already installed, but thanks! now i'm just kicking myself for now buying your skid plate...

thanks everyone for the help!

The brown wire is the ground. There are about 50 other brown wires bolted on the metal behind the cluster. The other wire that has the smaller ring terminal gets connected to fused +12v on the wiper circuit. I am not sure which fuse it is, but it would be easy to find out. The hardest part of the entire job is connecting the wire for +12v. That is why I suggested to cut the end of the ring terminal so it can be slid under the other terminals on the screw. Otherwise, you would need to remove the screw totally in order to attach the ring terminal. That is much harder, as other wires may need to be removed in order to access the proper screw to attach the wiper wire to. I will see if I can take a photo and post it. I have a parts car that I need to remove the harness on anyway, so that should motivate me....Rich

panZZer · #7 02-22-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squabble

can elaborate as to where this gets plugged in? is this the brown wire with the two-pronged plug?

which part is easier to install, the steering column plug or the fuse panel attachment?

is the fuse panel attachment the wire that has the loop at the end, typically used for grounding?

tom, mine came with the headlight adjuster already installed, but thanks! now i'm just kicking myself for now buying your skid plate...

thanks everyone for the help!

You have to do both--the lead going to the backside of the fuse block is the hot and the three or so brown ones that screw to the steering column mount are grounds, there are also a couple specific relays that are supposed to be in your harness that get incorperated in with the one/s already under the black plastic cover on ds fenderwell, and you splice into the washer bottle for liquid. From what i could tell the hood sprayers are the same as the euro bumber sprayers.
Getting replacement wiper blades aint easy on these.

Squabble · #8 02-22-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

Getting replacement wiper blades aint easy on these.

can't you just cut some more common wiper blades to fit? the seem to have some sort of clamping system to keep them in place, figured i could just stick some typical rubber wipers in there and they'd work...?

compu_85 · #9 02-22-2012, 06:32 PM

Not always. Finding the right shape for the rubber is hard, the channel is very thin. Can't you order them from the dealer?

-J

ROLLGUY · #10 02-23-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by panZZer

From what i could tell the hood sprayers are the same as the euro bumber sprayers.

From what I gather, the hood sprayers have 2 nozzles, and the bumper sprayers have only one. Having to spend $50 for a one nozzle sprayer is not as good as $7 for a 2 nozzle sprayer.

ROLLGUY · #11 02-23-2012, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Not always. Finding the right shape for the rubber is hard, the channel is very thin. Can't you order them from the dealer?

-J

I would think that pretty much any headlight wiper blade could be made to work.

ROLLGUY · #12 02-23-2012, 02:45 PM

Here are a couple photos:
Junction point for ground wires (dash and column removed on parts car, but easily accessible with cluster removed):

Fuse panel turned around:

1980sd · #13 02-23-2012, 03:40 PM

I just put wipers on my 116. The entire setup on the 116 has 2 pumps but it works fine with the original single pump.

Instead of mucking around my headlamp and windshield wiper circuits I run my headlight wipers from the washer pump. My motors have 3 wires. One ground, one switched power and another one that cycles the motor when energized. I rigged up a relay that is powered from the washer pump to cycle them.

My blades were pretty crispy but a set of standard blades trimmed down seem to work well. They're stiffer than the originals but fit and work fine.

You'll also need an anti siphon valve to keep them from draining your washer fluid reservoir

I got one from mercedessoorce for about 10 bucks.

Good luck with the project. Wipers are