Rear wiper permanently in Intermittent mode

[Glenn Langridge]

Whilst I wait for my carpets and my CCM to dry out I can move onto problem #2 on my Avant.

My rear wiper is in permanent intermittent mode even when switched off at the stalk. The wiper works fine when I need it, I just can't get the damn thing to switch off when I don't need it so I've had to pull the fuse for now.

I'm guessing a new motor is required but I would appreciate any wisdom you gents can impart.

[Peter D]

"The wiper works fine when I need it" I assume you mean it runs OK. I suspect the wiper relay is faulty, intermittant is not a function of the motor. Relay 31 in position 5 and 6 ( front and rear ) on the micro-Central relay plate behind the drivers storeage self. Regards Peter

[Glenn Langridge]

"The wiper works fine when I need it" I assume you mean it runs OK. I suspect the wiper relay is faulty, intermittant is not a function of the motor. Relay 31 in position 5 and 6 ( front and rear ) on the micro-Central relay plate behind the drivers storeage self. Regards Peter

Yes Peter, all functions of the rear wiper are correct. The problem arises when you turn it off at the stalk ... it continues to wiper intermittently every few seconds. On dry glass it makes a hell of a racket. I'll take a look at the relay now. Thanks for your advice.

[NickPicks]

When my wiper motor nozzle pipe broke (the one that runs through the center of the spindle), it filled the gears up with screenwash and corroded the metal plates on the back of the large cog. It then kept on going after I'd switched it off. I took it apart, soldered in a new pipe, cleaned the metal contact plates and bent the contact pins slightly so they were on a new bit of contact plate, and it all works fine.

It would have been easier to replace the whole motor, but my way was fun!

[Glenn Langridge]

When my wiper motor nozzle pipe broke (the one that runs through the center of the spindle), it filled the gears up with screenwash and corroded the metal plates on the back of the large cog. It then kept on going after I'd switched it off. I took it apart, soldered in a new pipe, cleaned the metal contact plates and bent the contact pins slightly so they were on a new bit of contact plate, and it all works fine.

It would have been easier to replace the whole motor, but my way was fun!

I'm hoping I can find a quick and cheap fix for this without rebuilding or replacing the wiper motor. I've ordered a secondhand relay from the web so hopefully when that arrives all will be sorted.

[Peter D]

Did you try swapping relay 5 and 6, they are identical, clearly if the fault is the relay the symptoms will move. Regards Peter

[Glenn Langridge]

Peter, my car had one large relay covering both 5 and 6 so couldn't swap them over. Here's one on eBay identical to mine ... Audi VW SEAT RELAY 602 P/N 4B0955531D | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-VW-SEAT-RELAY-602-P-N-4B0955531D-/271005894996?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f1935c954#ht_802wt_1163)

[Glenn Langridge]

OK, replacement relay arrived in the post today. I fitted it and it's made absolutely no difference whatsoever. So I'm guessing it's not a relay issue. Anyone got an more ideas as to what's causing this constant intermittent wipe?

[Peter D]

As the period of the intermittant wipe is controlled by the relay then I suspect there is a break in the cable harness up to the stalk and that is where yout problem lies if not the stalk itself. It may even be the connector to the stalk. Regards Peter

[Glenn Langridge]

I think I'll find another stalk as my next port of call. I've not looked too closely but is it easy to replace? It's not a steering wheel off job is it?

[NickPicks]

The stalk is a steering wheel off job.

Have you looked inside the rear wiper motor? It's a 20 minute job to take it off, take the cover off and inspect the rear of the large cog. It's got brass contact patches on the back which make it park properly once you turn it off at the switch. If these are contacting when they shouldn't, it'll keep on working. That's what was causing mine to have similar symptoms.

There's a good ghuide on removing the motor here (http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis/10646-heres-why-some-peoples-rear-wash-wipe.html)

It'll look something like this (I couldn't find a picture of an Audi one) Mine was all pitted and corroded - cleaning it up fixed the problem completely.

17442

[Glenn Langridge]

Thanks for the great advice Nick. I really don't want to much about with removing the steering wheel what with the airbag etc unless I really have to. I'll have a crack at the motor first and see if that helps. Is it worth getting one of these motor repair kits on eBay while I'm at it?

[NickPicks]

I'd take it apart and have a look first. How much is a repair kit on ebay? I think they're about £25 from a main dealer.

[Glenn Langridge]

Well I've just had all the wiper mechanism apart and it's very clean inside, no sign of corrosion at all and all nicely covered in white grease. So I'd say the motor was OK and the problem lies elsewhere. Stalk next I suppose.

[Peter D]

As I told you before the intermittant operation is done by the relay not the wiper motor. Regards Peter

[NickPicks]

Sorry for introducing the red herring, but that's what happened with mine.

[Peter D]

Your problem though was that the wiper would not park so it was not intermittant. Regards Peter

[Glenn Langridge]

At least I now know my wiper motor is in great nick. I've ordered a new wiper stalk off eBay so when that arrives I'll get it fitted and see if that fixes things.

[Glenn Langridge]

Just to be 100% sure in case I'd replaced a duff relay with another duff one I fitted a third relay today and my rear wiper still has the constant intermittent problem. So that now entirely rules out the relay as the cause of the issues. Switch next but I'm a little reluctant to take the steering wheel off ... may have to give that job to my local garage.

[NickPicks]

I've never done it before, but apparantly taking the steering wheel off is quite easy. There's a how-to somewhere on here. I have read somewhere to disconnect the battery and leave it 20 mins for any capacitors to discharge, but the instructions linked below say you don't need to.

Here's a link (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?33437-A6-Steering-Wheel-Removal)

[Glenn Langridge]

Well I did think about having a crack myself but at the moment if it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all and I'm sure I'd end up with the whole thing turning into a bloody mess. We all have these times when if it can go wrong it usually does. Plus I don't have a 12mm triple square bit for the main nut. I'll have to buy one first.

I've got a busy few days next week moving into new business premises. Once I'm in I might feel more positive about taking the wheel off and having a go. I agree it looks straightforward enough though I'm a little unsure about this steering sensor thing.

[Phutters]

Well I did think about having a crack myself but at the moment if it wasn't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all and I'm sure I'd end up with the whole thing turning into a bloody mess. We all have these times when if it can go wrong it usually does. Look on the bright side. If it all goes horribly wrong, you can always drive it to the nearest garage using a pair of Mole grips on the end of the steering column.

[Glenn Langridge]

Look on the bright side. If it all goes horribly wrong, you can always drive it to the nearest garage using a pair of Mole grips on the end of the steering column.

I think I'd bypass the garage and look for the nearest cliff. ;)

[Glenn Langridge]

Just a final post to help anyone that may do a search on faults similar to those affecting my permanently intermittent rear wipers. Following advice here I first replaced the relay but this didn't fix things. Next I bought a used wiper stalk and had my local garage fit it when the car was in having other work. This resulted in no change to the rear wipers but now the front ones were going mad ... my replacement stalk was obviously wonky. So I bought another ... they sent the wrong one so refunded me and I bought yet another one. Once fitted by my garage the front wipers were again back to normal but the rears were still permanently intermittent. Bugger!

So I bit the bullet and bought a good secondhand rear wiper motor and fitted it yesterday. Result? One perfect rear wiper that only wipes when I tell it to. The motor I removed though looking brand new (it was date stamped Nov 2011) was some obscure aftermarket pattern part. Lesson to learn is to stick with genuine VAG parts wherever possible.