Weird Wiper Problem

[QuadRings]

Alright so this all started after the heavy snow we had in CT. I'm pretty sure I've cleaned out all the ice/snow around the wiper arm, but I'm still having this issue, which started yesterday. The wipers stay halfway up the windshield, at a 45 degree angle. When they wipe, they go all the way down, all the way up, then down to the 45 angle again. WTF is going on? If I push them down a little, they just automatically go through the same cycle. I feel like if something was off, they wouldn't go through a complete cycle and just wouldn't go all the way up or down. Anyone have ANY clue at all?

[QuadRings]

bump for some help so I don't have to look over my wipers, haha!

[Rotond0000]

wierd....not sure i understand exactly why thats happening...i know mine suck with this snow too but nothing like that.....could u get a vid clip up of what theyre doing?

[Bmeister]

So they seem to work for one cycle if you give them a nudge? The mechanical linkage is either worn or needs lube is my preliminary suspicion. You'll have to open it up or pay someone to do that but I doubt it's anything more than this simple mechanical problem. If it gets better or goes away when it's warm, it could be the wiper motor weakening.

[QuadRings]

No they'll work continually, nothing is wearing out, it's like they're confused as to where to start the cycle. I'll try to get a clip up a little later.

[IceMole]

Mine started doing this yesterday I'm guessing from trying to constantly move the added weight, it's going to the dealer tomorrow. They sit at the 45 angle and will go up, down all the way and stop at 45. I did some searching around mainly b6 forum and either the wiper arm spun around the post, or the controller/motor is bad.

[QuadRings]

damnit, that sucks. Let me know what happens, I was just there for my 45K service too. Hopefully they don't rape us too bad, but for some reason I see a $400-$500 bill coming...

[IceMole]

Mine will be under warranty so I'm not worried but I'll let you know what they find/replace.

[QuadRings]

Ah I hope mine is too. I have a certified pre-owned so hopefully it's covered.

[Quattro2.0]

Nothing is broken, The cycle was simply thrown off by having ice and snow get in its way. The problem is that the resting place for the wipers is now up at a 45 degree angle. I had the same problem today, eventually I managed to get them to close in the proper position. Now I dont know if your covered by warranty so you might not want to take this route but il tell you what I did anyway. Hold the wipers flat on the wind shield and have someone turn them on, while there on slowly work them down to the bottom of the screen, back down to where there supposed to be. You may have to stop a few times and check your progress and try not to put too much force.

[tiptronic]

That sounds weird- Doesnt the A4 have a ''service'' mode for the wipers? The reason why i asked is because on the A3, in order for you to service the wiper/blades is turn the car on (accesories) then shut it off. After doing so, we press on the wiper stalk *down (as if doing a manual quick sweep) and it will prompt the wiper arm to rest at a 45degree angle so that the arms can be lifted off the windshield for servicing. Try that- its maybe a long shot, probably not even programmed for the A4s, but it wouldnt hurt to try.
It does sound like a 'cycle' error on the wiper system.

goodluck

e

Alright so this all started after the heavy snow we had in CT. I'm pretty sure I've cleaned out all the ice/snow around the wiper arm, but I'm still having this issue, which started yesterday. The wipers stay halfway up the windshield, at a 45 degree angle. When they wipe, they go all the way down, all the way up, then down to the 45 angle again. WTF is going on? If I push them down a little, they just automatically go through the same cycle. I feel like if something was off, they wouldn't go through a complete cycle and just wouldn't go all the way up or down. Anyone have ANY clue at all?

[IceMole]

Nothing is broken, The cycle was simply thrown off by having ice and snow get in its way. The problem is that the resting place for the wipers is now up at a 45 degree angle. I had the same problem today, eventually I managed to get them to close in the proper position. Now I dont know if your covered by warranty so you might not want to take this route but il tell you what I did anyway. Hold the wipers flat on the wind shield and have someone turn them on, while there on slowly work them down to the bottom of the screen, back down to where there supposed to be. You may have to stop a few times and check your progress and try not to put too much force.

I tried this, with the car off I would push them down, as soon as you start it back up to 45. With the car running when you would push down on them they would cycle themselves. My car was dropped off last night and should be done today, and yes it's covered under warranty.

That sounds weird- Doesnt the A4 have a ''service'' mode for the wipers? The reason why i asked is because on the A3, in order for you to service the wiper/blades is turn the car on (accesories) then shut it off. After doing so, we press on the wiper stalk *down (as if doing a manual quick sweep) and it will prompt the wiper arm to rest at a 45degree angle so that the arms can be lifted off the windshield for servicing. Try that- its maybe a long shot, probably not even programmed for the A4s, but it wouldnt hurt to try.
It does sound like a 'cycle' error on the wiper system.

goodluck

e

That makes total sense, because I had been using the single wipe a lot by pushing down. Oh well, I had to take it in for something else anyway, but it's good to know if it happens again there is a possible way to fix it. I'll let everyone know what they say the problem was for me when I get it back.

[IceMole]

Just got off the phone with the dealer, they need to keep it another day because they had to order a new wiper motor.

[QuadRings]

I tried this, with the car off I would push them down, as soon as you start it back up to 45. With the car running when you would push down on them they would cycle themselves. My car was dropped off last night and should be done today, and yes it's covered under warranty.

Yeah that's exactly what happened, push them down when it's off, goes back to 45, push them any other time and it goes through the cycle. Glad to hear it was covered under warranty, I'll make sure mine gets covered as well. I guess I'll be needing a new wiper motor as well.

[IceMole]

Someone just posted this in B6
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=253278

martini explains why it happens and how you can fix it without a new motor, if you want to try that route.