What's the deal with wiper control stalks?
 

Hi all,

I bought a wiper control arm (variable intermittent of course) to put on my 96 SE. Well, when I tried to install it everything matched except the plug in.

From what I read here, there are two types: 95-96 and 97-99. Since it didn't fit my 1996, I sold it to NismoVQ on here for his 97. Well, it didn't match his plugs either????

Anyone know what the deal could be? The mounts are perfect, but the plug doesn't match mine or NismoVQ's. I thought at first that I might have had a late 96 that had the 97-99 type plugs, or that NismoVQ has an early 97 that has 95-96 plugs???

Just to clarify: It did bolt up on my 1996, and fit perfectly. The only part that didn't work was the electrical connection.

If anyone can help, I'd really appreciate it. I really feel bad now that I sold NismoVQ a part that didn't fit, and I also want to find out how to make sure that the next one I buy for my 96 will fit.

Thanks,
Jamie

When I installed the variable control stalk on my 96 GXE, everything fit no problem. Still remember that besides the big black connector, there was a small, gray connector for the new stalk. The gray connector was taped somewhere right under the steering.

My max was totaled so can't check to make sure what I recall is accurate.

Are you saying that when you got done there were two connections to the new stalk? I only saw one connector on the stalk I tried to install. Since I didn't have an "empty" connector I didn't look for this gray extra connector you're talking about.

Or are you saying that you didn't use the connector from the stock stalk and used the gray connector instead?

I don't have a way to check it. But I still remember there is a gray connector I used for this variable control stalk. Electrically this extra connector could be connected to the potentiometer for variable control.

Not sure if I still have the stalk installation instruction around. Will look for it and let you know if found.

I'm terribly sorry
 

about my previous post. The gray connector I think is for my added fog light, definately not for variable wiper control as I already had this option at time of new car purchase. My mind does not serve me right this time.

FYI,

Important difference is that 95-96 terminals are 2 rows with 4 across.
xxxx
xxxx

97-99 terminals are "five" across
x00xx
xxxxx

I put "five" in quotation marks because only the bottom has 5 terminals across. The top row is missing two terminals because both cars have a total of 8 terminals for the wiper stalk. The "0" represents an empty space where a notch resides.

My digicam is not working right now :mad: so here's an old pic:
https://www.dslextreme.com/users/lewjay//vq/pins.jpg
You can make out the notch in that pic. If anyone has a haynes manual look at page 12-6, which will show the terminal layout for both types of switches. Also the factory service manual will confirm this. I have both Haynes and the FSM.

In any event it is impossible to simply plug-in a 95-96 wiper into a 97-99 car. Obviously the one you sold to NismoVQ is not going to plug into his 97 GXE because it plugged into yours. If it didn't work on your car then in a nutshell you sold him a defective 95-96 wiper stalk. Sorry :o

VTF!

Please elaborate. Thanks.

Obviously you didn't read my initial post. The wiper switch DID NOT plug into my 1996. As you explained in your post, that should mean that it would match the 97-99 cars. Everything about the switch matched my car except the plug in.

Do you see what I'm asking now? According to your manual, it should have plugged into a 97-99 since it didn't match my 96.

Also, the plug on the switch did have the two rows of 5, while my plug was 2 rows of 4.

What is the chance that NismoVQ somehow had a 95-96 plug in his car? My car had the 2x4 plug, and the switch had the 2x5 rows, but didn't match his 97?

Only other explaination:

You had a non-Maxima wiper stalk to begin with.

I would think this if it wasn't exactly like my original (but variable intermittent of course) and it bolted in exactly like it is supposed to. Does anyone know whether or not the other Nissan stalks (Altima, Sentra, etc) will bolt up even if the plugs won't match?

VTF = Vote To FAQ. Great post, valuable information, need to add to 4th gen faq section! Need I say more?

vs. VTD = Vote To Delete, what a dummass...

Re: I'm terribly sorry
 

Thanks, for a minute there I thought I was really missing something, since it only has one plug on it. :)

Where did you pick your new wiper stalk?
How much did it cost?