Wipers randomly not working

merk

Veteran Member
Joined
May 17, 2006
Location
Etna, NH
TDI
03 Jetta sedan, 03 silver wagon
So I have the wiper issue where they work sometimes and not other times.. They are not slow or binding up, just flat out not coming on sometimes. Whats the most likely culprit here?

03 Sedan..
 

BobnOH

not-a-mechanic
Joined
May 29, 2004
Location
central Ohio
TDI
New Beetle 2003 manual
If it's not the typical bushing bind, it could be the motor on it's last, but more likely wire/connects/switch.
 

jokila

Vendor
Joined
Dec 3, 2004
Location
Houston, Texas
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS, Manual
I had that kind of problem for several years. Ended up being the motor for me. Just got tired of not having wipers when I needed it.

On the other hand, RainX is so awesome; you don't even need wipers.
 

merk

Veteran Member
Joined
May 17, 2006
Location
Etna, NH
TDI
03 Jetta sedan, 03 silver wagon
Thanks..The local yard wants $50 So it probably pays to just go new! Heck the salvage motor is as old as mine ... duh..I recently cleaned all the grounds for an alternator issue. they looked good.
 

jokila

Vendor
Joined
Dec 3, 2004
Location
Houston, Texas
TDI
2003 Jetta GLS, Manual
Thanks..The local yard wants $50 So it probably pays to just go new! Heck the salvage motor is as old as mine ... duh..I recently cleaned all the grounds for an alternator issue. they looked good.
Be sure to check which motor you have there are two kinds of connectors. My guess is you have the late model like mine did.

https://www.idparts.com/wiper-motor-late-a4-shaped-p-1159.html

Also, you might need one of these:

https://www.idparts.com/wiper-linkage-a4-p-989.html

I had a heck of a time removing my wipers. Broke one cheap puller from the local parts store. I ended up buying one of these.
 
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merk

Veteran Member
Joined
May 17, 2006
Location
Etna, NH
TDI
03 Jetta sedan, 03 silver wagon
Thanks will check the motor.. ive had my wiper arms off in the last few years so that should not be a problem...
Be sure to check which motor you have there are two kinds of connectors. My guess is you have the late model like mine did.

https://www.idparts.com/wiper-motor-late-a4-shaped-p-1159.html

Also, you might need one of these:

https://www.idparts.com/wiper-linkage-a4-p-989.html

I had a heck of a time removing my wipers. Broke one cheap puller from the local parts store. I ended up buying one of these.
 

Vince Waldon

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 25, 2009
Location
Edmonton AB Canada
TDI
2001 ALH Jetta, 2003 ALH Wagon, 2005 BEW Wagon
*Every* time this has happened to me pulling the bottom cover off the steering column and spraying DeOxit into the switch contacts has resolved the issue.

In my experience the switch contacts that carry good-sized loads all by themselves (wipers, turn signals, trunk latch, fuel door) oxidize enough over time that eventually they can't carry the full current load to the downstream motor or solenoid. This shows up as an intermittent fault, depending on what pieces of the two contacts are rubbing together that particular day... and sometimes if you fiddle with the switch it will suddenly work.

Might be worth a try before tearing apart the motor end. :)

Or, could just be a bad motor. :(:D
 
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Seatman

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Location
Scotland
TDI
2014 Skoda rapid elegance 1.6 cr tdi
For me it was the big double relay, it controls all the wiper functions, often has 377 printed on it.

There's relays inside and the contacts can burn out and fall off. The broken contact actually caused a short one time and I could stop the wipers lol
 
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