Windshield wipers == old and busted
10-08-2003, 07:50 AM
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Windshield wipers == old and busted
So it starts raining around the Atlanta area lately, so of course, I fire up my windshield wipers.
The drivers side one has, apparently, completely busted itself. The motor appears to still be working, but I'm thinking that the bolt or whatever fastens the wipe arm to the motor is stripped or something. The passenger-side wiper will tangle with the drivers' side, and they'll sit there and fight in the middle of my windshield for a bit, and then they'll both just give up and both wipers will be stuck right in the middle of my windshield.
This blows, because I cant use my wipers. So three questions:
1) How easy/difficut is it to get to and remove the wiper motor, and
2) How expensive is a replacement, if in fact thats what the problem is,
3) is it possible that a bolt or something that connects the arm is in fact stripped and just not moving the arm?
It looks to me like the motor is moving, just not carrying the arm with it...
Thanks!
-db.
The drivers side one has, apparently, completely busted itself. The motor appears to still be working, but I'm thinking that the bolt or whatever fastens the wipe arm to the motor is stripped or something. The passenger-side wiper will tangle with the drivers' side, and they'll sit there and fight in the middle of my windshield for a bit, and then they'll both just give up and both wipers will be stuck right in the middle of my windshield.
This blows, because I cant use my wipers. So three questions:
1) How easy/difficut is it to get to and remove the wiper motor, and
2) How expensive is a replacement, if in fact thats what the problem is,
3) is it possible that a bolt or something that connects the arm is in fact stripped and just not moving the arm?
It looks to me like the motor is moving, just not carrying the arm with it...
Thanks!
-db.
10-08-2003, 08:01 AM
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Well, if you pop the cover off the bottom of the wiper arm, you'll notice that the wiper arm
is attached via a splined shaft. Damn near impossible to strip the shaft. So there is probably a disconnect between the motor and shaft, not between the shaft and wiper arm. I don't know how the whole assemble is put together...a Bentley diagram would probably make it very clear (where you need to troubleshoot).
10-08-2003, 08:22 AM
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My WAG is that one of the connections on the driver's side linkages has come undone. If that is the
case, I'd imagine it will merely be a question of a nut and washer being replaced or tightened.
Since the single motor runs both wipers and you state the passenger's works fine until it hits the driver's side I'd imagine teh motor and the passenger;s side linkage is fine. Since you also state the driver's rises initially but fails at the midpoint, I'd guess it is something loose on the driver's side linkage.
Since the single motor runs both wipers and you state the passenger's works fine until it hits the driver's side I'd imagine teh motor and the passenger;s side linkage is fine. Since you also state the driver's rises initially but fails at the midpoint, I'd guess it is something loose on the driver's side linkage.
10-08-2003, 08:27 AM
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Yeap, sounds about right, I would have never guessed...
...that there was only one motor driving both wipers. I guess thats probably the expensive part. I'll be pulling it apart this weekend, I guess.
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
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10-08-2003, 09:41 AM
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Since the thread question seems to be resolved, I will try to hijack it with my question...
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/46936/107_0797.jpg"></center><p>
(((BEST PHOTO I FOUND SOO FAR! GRR)))
Has anyone seen the new style wiper arms/blades? I noticed them on a new A8 and (think) I noticed them on the new A4, I want THOSE! they look like they have a wiper blade on either side (down on glass and one up in air) and the top one is actually a spoiler to keep it pushed down on the glass.(my driver's just happen to keep lifting up on the highway and BARELY wipe any water away(even with new teflon coated blades) I don't want to get the ricy wiper spoilers because I LOVE the uber clean look of these but dealer said they would never fit on a B5 (99.5). He wouldn't even tell me a quote to buy the parts and me take them to DIY.
(NOTE: I think all the ppl at my primary dealership secretly hate me...)
(They also said that same thing about getting OEM HID's in my car since one headlight was out when i bought it (they replaced bulb) anyway but I at least wanted a quote on how much $$ and work it would be)
So... does anyone even know what i'm talking about and is it possible? (I'm willing to bet it is)
(PS: I'm trying to find a pic so I'll add it later...)
(((BEST PHOTO I FOUND SOO FAR! GRR)))
Has anyone seen the new style wiper arms/blades? I noticed them on a new A8 and (think) I noticed them on the new A4, I want THOSE! they look like they have a wiper blade on either side (down on glass and one up in air) and the top one is actually a spoiler to keep it pushed down on the glass.(my driver's just happen to keep lifting up on the highway and BARELY wipe any water away(even with new teflon coated blades) I don't want to get the ricy wiper spoilers because I LOVE the uber clean look of these but dealer said they would never fit on a B5 (99.5). He wouldn't even tell me a quote to buy the parts and me take them to DIY.
(NOTE: I think all the ppl at my primary dealership secretly hate me...)
(They also said that same thing about getting OEM HID's in my car since one headlight was out when i bought it (they replaced bulb) anyway but I at least wanted a quote on how much $$ and work it would be)
So... does anyone even know what i'm talking about and is it possible? (I'm willing to bet it is)
(PS: I'm trying to find a pic so I'll add it later...)
10-08-2003, 09:50 AM
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IIRC that may be a Passat style as well. Someone posted here about retrofitting them on his B5. Try
a search.
Also, FWIW, my 99.5 has a driver's side blade with an airfoil that holds it to the windscreen at speed. The passenger's side does not but I don't ride there
Also, FWIW, my 99.5 has a driver's side blade with an airfoil that holds it to the windscreen at speed. The passenger's side does not but I don't ride there
10-08-2003, 09:59 AM
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Mine came with teh crappy amco wipers you would find at autozone...(read this to get Y I'm mad)
They are 21" blade holders, ok fine, BUT I noticed a month later that the pass. one HITS my Hood Corner when all the way down! These obviously aren't the stock ones, went to dealer... they said they don't know anything about that and won't repair my chipped up hood OR replace my wipers... GRR!
Went to autozone and bought an 18 for the passenger (looks like the new cars with the 2 different size blades so that's ok) and it don't hit anymore. But the driver still has that Prob, with it lifting on the highway.
I haven't gone to dealer to get touch-up paint for I dunno the "code" of my paint or where to get it (I know it's on some sticker somewhere on my car I'll search the forum to find it I GUESS)
Went to autozone and bought an 18 for the passenger (looks like the new cars with the 2 different size blades so that's ok) and it don't hit anymore. But the driver still has that Prob, with it lifting on the highway.
I haven't gone to dealer to get touch-up paint for I dunno the "code" of my paint or where to get it (I know it's on some sticker somewhere on my car I'll search the forum to find it I GUESS)