Strange rear wiper behavior - Golf Mk 4 hatch - is this normal?

[Last Triumph]

Just bought a 2004 Mk4 Golf GT Tdi 130 and very nice it is too.... however the rear wiper is acting strangely.

At first I noticed that it would do a full 180 degree sweep, then stop at random positions during the return sweep. To get it to complete the sweep and re-park, I;d need to switch it off, then switch it on again upon which it would then park itself.

Today is the first day I've had to inspect so have removed the rear tailgate panel - all seems well - the rear wash pipe is original, intact and leak free. THe wiring harness all looks good.

So, I tried to replicate the fault to see if I could see what was going on from the inside - however now, it does a 180 degree sweep, stops for several seconds, then sweeps back again to the park position. It does this consistently.

Is this normal? I kind of assumed that it would do a full all the way over and all the way back on one motion action, then repeat again later as part of the intermittent motion.

Or is it supposed to only make one pass and stop at the other side?

At any point, if I switch the wiper off, it instantly parks to the start position.

So... what might have been causing it to stop randomly on it's return to park cycle, and what is causing it to now stop at 180 degrees?

Any clues on the problem and solution or indicators of what it's normal function should be?

Is there a position micro switch that could have bad contacts? Or a current load sensor that is killing it due to a stiff arm?

[belfastmark]

Hi.
That is indeed strange behaviour. I would be checking the wiring coming into the boot, not sure if it is the left or right though, that would be my first thing to check. Second thing I would try if that fails is the wiper stalk itself.
Let us know how you get on.

Marko

[Last Triumph]

Hi.
That is indeed strange behaviour. I would be checking the wiring coming into the boot, not sure if it is the left or right though, that would be my first thing to check. Second thing I would try if that fails is the wiper stalk itself.
Let us know how you get on.

Marko

The wiring harness look mint - nothing worn or pinched.

I tried it with the tailgate open and closed - no difference.

I tried assisting the wiper arm throughout it's motion with my hand and it doesn't labour or struggle and seems definite in it's intentions to start and stop at each end of the sweep.

Does it ever stay on constantly for example if the main wipers are switched on, or is it only ever an intermittent action?

[belfastmark]

It is always intermittant as far​as I know. Maybe wiper motor ?

[Last Triumph]

I'll remove, strip, grease and rebuild it tomorrow and see how we get on.

It's 'almost' like an electronic programing problem....(?)

[belfastmark]

Good luck !

[NickPicks]

I've had this on my A6. Random stopping, then eventually no movement at all. Although the washer pipe was fine, the wiper motor spindle had corroded, expanded was sticking in the plastic housing (on mine, the plastic housing has split where the rust had expanded it). I did a strip, dremel off the rust, regrease, araldite the crack and reassemble, which lasted for a few years. If you want to do it properly, there is a repair kit of the spindle, gears and washer pipe (which I think costs about £25 from VW/Audi)

[jayninkie]

My gti the wiper wouldn't stop I had to pull fuse

[Last Triumph]

Stripped it all down and it was in perfect condition so put it all back together again and guess what... it now works. Go figure. I left it for a while, then tried again to find the problem had reoccurred. I fiddled with the electrical connector plug which then made it work. I inspected all the connector pins, test pulled all the wires on the female plug end, gave everything a bloody good waggle and wobble, put it back together again and it works fine.

Thing is, the wires are all nice and clean, the connectors all bright, shiny and straight and there's no obvious sign of any wear, corrosion or other nasties that you might see on a poor electrical connection - but man handling it somewhat has fixed it.... for now.

I've left the tail gate trim off for the time being and will try it once a day for a week - if it behaves itself, I'll reassemble and call it a win.