[Vwdiesel] Intermittent wiper failure

[Sandy Cameron]

At 07:39 AM 26/10/04 -0400, you wrote:
>Thanks for the quick reply.  I assumed that it might be, but I have always
>been perplexed that often the intermittent would take half a stroke and
>then stop entirely.

If the wiper won't return to zero after an intermittent initiation, ther is
one more test to prove the trouble.

As we often do, we initiate a single wipe by pushing the lever up until the
motor just starts, then quickly release, allowing the "return to park"
mechanisim to do the rest of the wipe.

If it quits before returning, the problem is in the plastic gearbox on the
end of the motor.
Inside, besides the worm and pinion gear, is the "return to park" (RTP) switch.

It is made up of a small contact blade that touches a brass ring/disk/track
that is a complete circle, except for a small gap where the blade will no
longer contact it, located at the park position.

Over the years, the guanno used for grease dries out, and the blade wears
away, and eventually stops contacting the track. Result? motor stops
anywhere in it's travel to try to park.

This does NOT happen in either of the 2 continuous wipe positions, as the
RTPS is not in circuit then.

It is repairable.

Remove the wiper arms, remove the assembly form the car. (It's tricky
getting it out, but they got it in, didn't they?)

Open the gearbox carefully so parts dont fly out.
clean with brake cleaner or WD40, identify the contact that runs on the
brass track, and bend it slightly so it exerts more pressure on the track.

Apply fresh grease and close up.

Lay it on the airbox and plug it in, then try it. If it still is
intermittent, do the obove again, and study it carefully to be sure you did
the right things..

I did one 3 years agoon a 90 A2, and it's still fine today.

Because it's been 3 years, and I'm 70, I don't remember the screw-by-screw,
dismantle process, but it works.

If you can't get it working, it means a new gearhead assembly, and if old,
from a junkyard, perhaps a repeat of the problem

It CAN be repaired.

Sandy