Rear Wiper Problem

[hairyape1]

Ever since I bought my car (1998 1.9tdi avant) the rear window wiper has never worked. This never fussed me when I bought the car, and hasnt really been a problem at all. But now its starting to bug me a little, so I set out to find the problem the otherday.

First went to check the fuse and found there wasnt one, so popped one in.
Surprise surprise it work's! ......albeit very slowly! very very slowly :/
Ok, thats not a major problem, I guess I just need a new motor?

So I went to turn it off... Now i find out why the fuse was pulled.... The switch has broken, so you cant turn it off!

First question, is it operating slowly because of a bad motor? How easy are these to replace?
Second question, any ideas about the switch, is this a take apart, and check jobby, or just buy a new one?


Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Ben

[spartacus 68]

Just repaired mine last month. The copper pipe that connects to the flexible rubber hose had sheared inside the motor mechanism and was allowing water to enter the gear mechanism. It's still not working as it should, but does okay. Before shelling out for a new motor, first remove the tailgate trim and have a look at the rear wash/wipe mechanism. It could be it just needs a good clean and a liberal amount of yellow marine grease to keep things moving. Also check the contacts where the electrical connector attaches. Could be the contacts are corroded or just need a clean. That would be my first port of call. You'll need a small star-drive to remove the wiper back-plate. There's a gasket too, so be careful when separating the backplate.

[hairyape1]

Cool beans. Will whip off the boot lid trim and see how it looks. Im hoping it just needs a clean and abit of oil
To get over the switch problem I think I will just wire one into the electrics. Seen some cheap toggle switches on maplin's.... the even sell 'missile style' switches..... could be a laugh having it dash mounted
Thanks Spartacus!

[mike ryan]

The hollw wiper shaft is a poor design and always leaks on older cars not just audis. You can try cleaning as spartacus said and clean the motor tracks for the self park to. I had a similar problemm on a golf mkiv i serviced for some one and th eelectronics were part of the motor and i had to change the lot. That to had the problem of constantly running. It may not be the same but worth a thought.

[topviking]

try a squirt of WD40 worked a treat for me