Colin42

If you have a Civic with single speed intermittent wipers here's how to upgrade to variable speed quickly and easily.
Note: This will only work if you have 9 wires coming out of your wiper switch connector.
Even then it's not a guarantee since the variable speed is controlled by the Multiplex.

Original Poster: Colin42

Difficulty: 2 out of 10

Time to install: Less than 30 mins

Vehicle: 2005 Civic "Special Edition" sedan

Disclaimer: CivicForums.com, CivicForums.com Staff, nor the original poster are responsible for you doing this modification to your vehicle. By doing this modification and following this how-to you, the installer, take full responsibility if anything is damaged or messed up. If you have questions, feel free to PM the original poster or ask in the appropriate section of CivicForums.com.

Tools Needed: #2 Philips screwdriver, small flathead, pry tools.

Parts Needed: Variable Speed Wiper Switch ($5-$10 at a junkyard)
If you mess up your lower cover like I did the part number is: 77360-S5A-A01ZA ($33.87 Cdn)

Directions:

Optional: Disconnect battery.

1. Remove the 3 Philips screws in the lower steering column cover.



2. Lower the steering wheel as low as possible, and then gently pry the upper cover apart from the lower cover.
Tip: Practice in the junkyard when getting the switch so you don't mess up your cover



3. Disconnect the electrical connector for the wiper switch. This is when you can check if you have 9 wires in your connector.
If you do, great! Keep going. If not, put everything back together, this will not work for you.




4. Remove the 2 Philips screws holding the wiper switch in.



5. Remove the switch, it will slide out to the right. You will probably need to persuade it with some prying. Be careful, everything is plastic.



You can see that the new switch has 9 pins, but the old switch only has 7 pins.

6. Slide the new switch in, install the 2 screws, and reconnect the connector.

7. Test! Reconnect the battery if you disconnected it earlier, and make sure the switch works properly.
Marvel at your newly gained variable speed intermittent function.

8. Reinstall the steering column covers.

Enjoy!

BrotatoChip

Out of curiosity, was intermittent wipers an option on all trims? Or is it an EX thing?

Colin42

My gold 05 had it from factory, it was a fully loaded non-vtec manual sedan (an LX?). Up here is Canada the trims are a little different, what you guys call an EX we call a SI, The only K-series 7th gen we had up here was the EP3.
Should have the pictures tonight

BrotatoChip

My '02 EX has intermittent wipers but I've also had an '03 LX and US Si (EP3), neither of which had intermittent wipers.

Colin42

hmm, maybe it was like a $50 option when the cars were new or something

Colin42

Updated with pictures

JaVelin.x

One question... what is the "Multiplex"?

Colin42

part of the fuse box under the dashboard