Windscreen wipers going at one speed - very slow!

This PM, whilst f’ing about with the cigarette lighter (for my cheap Bluetooth/FM connector) I shorted it out and blew the fuse. On the way home I needed to use the windscreen wipers and no matter what speed or setting I used they only went ‘very slowly’ and would be useless in ‘proper rain’.

Naturally, I assumed I’d shorted something else out or caused some wiper damage as a result of the cigarette lighter short.

I have replaced the cigarette lighter fuse and all seems OK with it (inc the section on the dash that shows the engine warning light etc that had stopped working when I orig shorted the circuit) with the cigarette lighter.

There has never been any problems with the wipers before nor any noticeable noises indicating a problem before.

I am at a loss as to whether this is a coincidence or I’ve caused a problem?

Any advice would be gratefully received.

If it is relevant I have the 2.4 ltr petrol estate.

The drivers spindle is very prone to seizure and coincidences do happen… a lot.

Yeah it'll be the spindles on the wiper linkage. There's two spindles, one for each wiper that are connected to the linkage arm and rotate back and forth as the wiper motor turns.

I replaced mine last year, they were doing what yours did, going on one speed so I knew it was time to get them done. Be aware that at some point they may totally seize and then you'll be wiperless, as happened to me, so worth not hanging about getting them fixed.

Some folks have said they've stripped and greased the spindles and got more life out of them. Personally I'd just replace the part.

Bit if a pain to get out, at least I found it a bit of a squeeze and scraping of knuckles but I'm a DIYer so this might just be me. Satisfying though and never missed a beat since.

Lots of how to's on internet or Haynes manual has a guide in it

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It happened on my Octavia, I have too little time to spare being a proper mechanic so just fitted a new unit.

I have now removed the wiper linkage and it is indeed the ‘driver’s wiper’ that is seized.

I’ve now broken the stud trying to hammer the seized part out so I now need to find a replacement PDQ (rain forecast for Sat). It was all going so well until……

Final update.

Ordering AUDI parts online is a real PITA.

All the online companies I could find are based in Germany even though I specifically asked for the UK and I need this fixed and running for rain on Sat! I phoned one and they are not shipping to the UK because of problems (Brexit / customs / a big problem if items have to be returned). Also, all of their product images were heavily water-marked with the comany name/logo.

I tried breakers yards with some success (complete unit inc motor for £60 with 3 month warranty) but del is 4 to 5 days.

So, in the end I booked it through Caffyns AUDI through my business on a trade price but still about £130 for the main arm with the rotaty bits on either end. It’ll be ready for collection 1st thing tomorrow and I just hope that I cam get it all back together again.

One last question: do I need special grease for the ball joints?