car nerds - I need help

**Grape_Ape** · 03-02-2015, 02:11 PM

So my windshield wipers stopped working during last snowstorm. I wasn't driving car when it happened. You turn the wipers on, the wipers flicker and then nothing. This told me it was not the motor, but the wiper linkage assembly.

I removed the wiper motor and linkage assembly (some call it a transmission) to take a look at the linkage. I think I found the problem and popped one of the arms back in place. I was so happy it was an easy fix!

Not. I put the motor and linkage assembly back in car and turned the wipers on and...nothing. I think fuses. I tripled checked them all. Still nothing.

What the fruck?

Any help much appreciated. I am at the point of buying a new or reconditioned motor and maybe a new linkage assembly...you are my last hope, TGR!

**Cruiser** · 03-02-2015, 02:16 PM

Maybe use your multimeter to see if you're getting power to the motor when the switch is turned on?

**Harry** · 03-02-2015, 02:24 PM

PM either UglyMonkey or Austin, both car nerds extraordinaire.

Had beers with them last week at the Gallatin Riverhouse, entire conversation was "how do you change out the main shaft bearing on a Porsche". AxeBiker was there too, he & I had to limit our conversation to a debate on proper edge angle on 100 waisted skis.

Back on topic: vibes.

**Obstruction** · 03-02-2015, 02:36 PM

I usually start w/ the Google when I'm wrenching something oddball. Put in 2005 jeep Cherokee wiper motor (or lambo etc.). Often this the type of problem your describing is something that is common to a particular model or year. This provides a good starting point. If it yields no insight it's time to whip out the multimeter like Cruiser suggested or pm a smart maggot.

**AK47bp** · 03-02-2015, 02:43 PM

Are you driving the German Enigma Machine?

A VW

**Grape_Ape** · 03-02-2015, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by AK47bp

Are you driving the German Enigma Machine?

A VW

Hahaha! Yes.

2007 VW Passat

**Grape_Ape** · 03-02-2015, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Cruiser

Maybe use your multimeter to see if you're getting power to the motor when the switch is turned on?

I thought about that, but didn't do it. Where do you put the electrodes? Anywhere on metal?

**AK47bp** · 03-02-2015, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Grape_Ape

Hahaha! Yes.

2007 VW Passat

I don't have any advice just sounded like a VW to me.

Every time it rained hard my entire instrument panel would go out on my Touareg, no rpm, no mph, nothing. Repair shops couldn't ever find the problem. When I found out my wife was pregnant I got rid of it.

Good luck.

**Cruiser** · 03-02-2015, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Grape_Ape

I thought about that, but didn't do it. Where do you put the electrodes? Anywhere on metal?

I'd try to put the leads wherever the wires attach to the wiper motor. But I'm no v-dub mechanic.

FWIW there's a recall on the '06-'07 Passat wiper motor for excessive moisture entering the unit causing it to fail. Dunno if it effects you but it's probably worth looking into.
http://repairpal.com/recall/06V470000

**Alaskan Rover** · 03-02-2015, 04:14 PM

You have a ground fault somewhere. I'm not sure the ground wiring on your unit, since I don't even know the make/model of your car, but the motor could be set up to use the firewall as a ground, or there could be a separate ground lead going to wherever. Anyway, check your ground...that's what I would bet on. Make sure there is good, solid contact between the motor and firewall.

**Danno** · 03-02-2015, 04:20 PM

It's a VW, it will start working fine tomorrow. And stop working next week. Then start 2 days later.

**mnflyfish** · 03-02-2015, 10:00 PM

That car show on NPR just addressed this in VW ' S but I don't remember the solution.

**Art Shirk** · 03-02-2015, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by AK47bp

I don't have any advice just sounded like a VW to me.

Every time it rained hard my entire instrument panel would go out on my Touareg, no rpm, no mph, nothing. Repair shops couldn't ever find the problem. When I found out my wife was pregnant I got rid of it.

Good luck.

The sunroof drain was clogged and dousing some fucking module under your passenger side floor boards.

**Plainview** · 03-02-2015, 11:38 PM

Originally Posted by Grape_Ape

I thought about that, but didn't do it. Where do you put the electrodes? Anywhere on metal?

No offense, but if you don't know where to test voltage on a motor, maybe this is something you should leave to the professionals.

Also, most wiper motors get constant voltage to them. The switch completes the ground side of the circuit. There is also a secondary ground inside the motor that makes contact any time the wipers are not in the parked position. This allows the wipers to return to the park position when the switch is turned off rather than just stopping wherever they happen to be.

Electrical problems in a VW? You don't say...

**AK47bp** · 03-03-2015, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by commonlaw

The sunroof drain was clogged and dousing some fucking module under your passenger side floor boards.

I'm sure that was it. However drains ran fine when I tried to recreate it and dealership couldn't replicate. Probably gunked up. It was an 05 so starting to get pricey to keep it going. Loved that thing though, v8.

**Todd Zander** · 03-03-2015, 09:36 AM

So the linkage was worn to the point of it popping out and you thought popping it back in would fix it?

**fatnslow** · 03-03-2015, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by commonlaw

The sunroof drain was clogged and dousing some fucking module under your passenger side floor boards.

My old car guy worked on a fleet of VW's. Love hate with them, easy money for him but they drove him nuts with the wet modules zapping all the time.

**MontuckyFried** · 03-03-2015, 10:00 AM

Don't know if this is the problem, but your exact model had a recall on it for the windshield wiper motor.
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2007/...assat/recalls/
Personally, I'd start with that and see if you can get a free fix out of the dealership. If that doesn't work, then move on the next possibilities.

**riser4** · 03-03-2015, 10:09 AM

VWs are better to lease than own. You get to drive it while everything still works, they pay for routine maintenance and fix anything that breaks. And then they take it back about when the warranty is up and six months before everything will start to go to shit. Some poor slob ends up buying what seems like a great buy: clean, low mileage car. Caveat emptor.

jgb@etree · 03-03-2015, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Plainview

No offense, but if you don't know where to test voltage on a motor, maybe this is something you should leave to the professionals.

QFT.

Hopefully R&R of the wiper motor doesn't require a socket wrench as the OP will probably think the wrench is broken because it 'spins the wrong way'.

**Sicks** · 03-03-2015, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Grape_Ape

So my windshield wipers stopped working during last snowstorm. I wasn't driving car when it happened. You turn the wipers on, the wipers flicker and then nothing. This told me it was not the motor, but the wiper linkage assembly.

I removed the wiper motor and linkage assembly (some call it a transmission) to take a look at the linkage. I think I found the problem and popped one of the arms back in place. I was so happy it was an easy fix!

Not. I put the motor and linkage assembly back in car and turned the wipers on and...nothing. I think fuses. I tripled checked them all. Still nothing.

What the fruck?

Any help much appreciated. I am at the point of buying a new or reconditioned motor and maybe a new linkage assembly...you are my last hope, TGR!

Do you have a habit of turning them on when they are frozen to the windshield? That strips the cheap plastic that molds to that little nipple that you stick them onto. I had that issue once, used duct tape to hold it over until parts store opened, put on new blades and fixed.

Edit: read a few posts and see you have a vw. Drive it off a cliff.

Edit2: or bridge into a lake. Or let the firemen light it up and practice saving people in seatbelts. Just a few thoughts

**stuckathuntermtn** · 03-03-2015, 01:32 PM

I remember I tried to just use the wipers to get a bunch of wet snow off the windshield. Damn near stripped 1 of them where the arm was bolted on. Tightened it down and it works fine.
Idk, Sicks's comment made me think of that.
It looks like there's a recall on the exact part you're having trouble with.

**Timberridge** · 03-03-2015, 01:34 PM

You mention you checked the fuse. Did you check the relay as well?

**Sicks** · 03-03-2015, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

I remember I tried to just use the wipers to get a bunch of wet snow off the windshield. Damn near stripped 1 of them where the arm was bolted on. Tightened it down and it works fine.
Idk, Sicks's comment made me think of that.
It looks like there's a recall on the exact part you're having trouble with.

Yup.

**Grape_Ape** · 03-03-2015, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Cruiser

I'd try to put the leads wherever the wires attach to the wiper motor. But I'm no v-dub mechanic.

FWIW there's a recall on the '06-'07 Passat wiper motor for excessive moisture entering the unit causing it to fail. Dunno if it effects you but it's probably worth looking into.
http://repairpal.com/recall/06V470000

Duh on my part. Thanks. I tested it and it is good.

I checked that recall out and they offer a cover to the motor to keep moisture out...so no good for me.

I just purchased a reconditioned motor on ebay. I don't have time to be fucking around with this anymore. Next 4 days: rain/snow. Motor will get here on the 5th day.