Force-1

Used my wipers for the first time since purchase back in Oct 10 (yeah, doesn't rain much here ).

When used in auto they stutter. Examples are sweep up 1/4 or 1/2 way, then sweep back down, without sweeping to top. Or sweep up 1/2 way, pause, continue to top, pause, back down.

Only did this in auto mode. Anyone else ever experience this?

chickdr

Yes- I had to trash a brand new set of replacement wipers due to stuttering. I was really happy with the Valeo 900-26-7B Ultimate Wiper Blade - 26" and now have Trico 18-260 Flex Universal Beam Wiper Blade, 26".

arU4ic

I would add that there is some inconsistency within the brands even... I **think** its all about the age of the rubber. If it sits in a store for awhile before you buy you're looking at a higher potential for stuttering. But I'm talking out of my ascot.

uberwgn

That certainly is a possibility as the environment is harder on soft rubber than most would imagine. Once the rubber ages and becomes stiffer, it tends to get noisy as is can't rock back and forth as intended. You can try treating with a rubber treatment like 303. I've had pretty good success with their wiper wipes. I raise the blade to the service position, wipe the rubber and let it sit overnight. I'll then wipe off any residual the following morning. This quiets the blade down for a while. If the blade isn't giving a perfect wipe, I'll replace at that time.

rymo

The wipers on my '08 were doing this yesterday too. If it's the same problem, it's not about the shudder noise/smudging - the wipers will literally go 1/4 of the way up, then stop, and go down - repeat at all different spots going up and down - super incinsistent.

Has anybody else had this issue and figured out what the deal is?

Thanks!
--rymo

Force-1

Mine did it again the other day while driving home in the rain. Called dealer and they said bring it right in. Figures wipers decided to start working properly about a mile from dealer!

They put me in a new Q5 and sent me on my way, promising to get to it first thing next morning.

The wipers had thrown several codes, so they replaced the wiper control module, and all seems good now.