Hi guys,
Well I've been daydreaming today and have decided that I want to install headlight wipers on my 240 at some point. I've always liked the looks of them on the old Mercedes I've seen driving around.
Does anyone know where I can buy a set for a 1986 or is this a dealer only item? I'm sure that if they are only available from the dealer this will have to be something that I buy WAY down the road, but I'd still like to get a set at some point.
From what I've been reading I will also have to upgrade to the European style lights (which I also plan on doing when money allows) so that would be a good time to install the wipers. If someone has a website that sells these, or if someone has a good used set I'd be interested.
Thanks a lot,
Dave
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I dream of a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned.

Okay, I've got a set that I haven't installed yet (but I will, maybe - they're not for sale), but I just want to share three comments with you, if you'll allow:

1) First of all, realize that you should not install them on USA/plastic headlights because their wiper action with grit (road salt, gravel, etc.) across soft (viz., hardness), plastic surfaces will scratch them into opaque oblivion. Only glass, as found in Euroheadlights, will stand up to such action -- and then, only if you also address my second and third comments, below.

And the following additional two reasons are the primary ones that have delayed my installation on my car, since I already have Volvo/Cibie genuine Euroheadlights:

2) Unlike the wipers on the M-Bs I used to own ('80s 300Es) which included washer action (to flush away the grit mentioned in the first point, above), you (and I) would also need to replace the washer fluid reservoir with one with two pumps and outputs. Otherwise, the wipers would wipe over dry headlights in some situations, and this could (or at least might) scratch even glass! I don't want to endanger these OEM Euros, as they're a lot more expensive then cheaper JBAuto Euros. And just tapping off the existing washer line, with a single, shared pump output would, IMHO, not provide enough washing on either the windshield or the headlights.

3) The wipers (i.e., the rubber squeegies) are a peculiar size. When I got my set, I tried to get new wipers, and haven't found a source yet! The old, dry ones I have wouldn't be acceptable to me.

So until I can solve (2) and (3), they're staying in the box. I suggest you think about these.

But it's nice to dream, anyway.

Best regards,

Ken,
Thanks for the food for thought. Once again I am humbled by the knowledge and experience on ths board. I did know that I would have to change to the Euro headlights (honestly I've been considering the cheap ones from Evilbay) but had not considered the other points you brought up.
Thanks again for your input and I'll be sure to take everything into consideration.
Dave
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I dream of a world where a chicken can cross the road without having its motives questioned.

Ken:

You bring up good points. On the wash fluid pump, consider getting the washer bottle/pump assembly from a 245 as it has the second pump for the rear window.

jorrell
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92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

Again I have to thank you -- I had no idea that there were 245's with a double pump. The last 245 I owned was an '80 -- it had a separate tank and pump in the rear tire well for the rear window. I'm assuming the newer wagons have the setup you describe.

The "dual pump" rig in this case is in our 92.

jorrell
--
92 245 250K miles, IPD'd to the hilt, 06 XC70, 00 Eclipse custom Turbo setup...currently taking names and kicking reputations!

Just a note - on the euro cars the headlamp washers are just T'eed off the front screen pipe. The second pump just powers the rear screen washer.

The headlamp wipers operate with the windshield wash wipe, not separately - of course you might want to wire them differently, but that's how the factory setup is done.

I have not seen 240 wipers but I used to make blades for my Saab 900. They were a dealer only item and they were insanely expensive. When I changed my windshield blades I cut the old ones to fit the headlight wipers. You could cut up new blades but I did not think it was necessary to have perfect wiper blades on the headlights. Unless you do a lot of driving on wet muddy roads, headlights just don't get that dirty. I would not be too concerned about scratching the glass headlights, since th wipers should only come on when the windshield washer is activated.