Windscreen Wiper Problems - Battery Issue?
 

Hi all,

This is my first post so I hope you may be able to help me! I have a 2003 D3 A8, 4.2 Quattro SWB that has recently developed a few problems.

Last week the wipers stopped working completely. If I selected the mid position on the MMI they would reset and start again no problem. When I try to do this now, they will not go to the mid position any more.

About a month ago, the remote entry stopped working.
About 2 months ago I noticed that the rear interior light does not come on when the door is opened.
Last Christmas I was locked out of the car a few times and had to use the key to gain entry (central locking not working).
Power Steering is sometimes heavy (random)

Prior to this, the car has been faultless and has been kept to a high standard.

After looking at some of the posts on this forum, I am wondering if it is all related to a battery issue? If so, how should I proceed to check it?

I removed the earth lead from the battery on Saturday and charged the battery for 24 hours. It is holding the charge well and the car started no problem and sounded very good (it sometimes sounds like it's missing slightly at startup). All the above problems are still present though, so I am wondering if it is the battery ECU?

I don't want to take it to main dealer as the prices are ridiculous. I am an aircraft engineer so I would like to solve the problem!

Any help is much appreciated!
Many Thanks!

welcome to the forum! +++
Have you run a vagcom scan?
where are you based?

A VagCom Scan would be favourite :)

Could be that the wiper motor is going funny.

Have you checked for water ingress into the car? I had some weirdness when I had a water leak getting into the carpets.

I'm based near Newport / Bristol area. I was thinking of buying a vagcom system, but I plan to sell the car soon, so didn't want to go all out on it! Car is very dry and the battery compartment looks brand new!
I have a local Audi/VW independent garage who may be able to help. Would a vagcom be able to diagnose?
Thanks for fast replies! Much appreciated. It's not much fun driving a car without wipers!

I wouldn't count on all the faults being connected. My experience is with my '96 model but <satnds by for back lash> the electrics aren't that robust in these cars. I have 2 duff door contact switches and my wiper interval is fixed which I am sure is down to the wiper switch. Assuming you have checked the obvious, fuses, power checks at the wiper motor etc, I would be tempted to get the steering column surround off and do some cold checks on the operation of the wiperswitch and continuity checks to the wiper relay.

Thanks, I haven't started chasing wiring yet as I think that the wipers are actually mechanically and electrically ok. Someone told me there is an ECU for the wipers attached to the motor. It could be this I suppose. If it was wiring, why would it be ok after selecting then deselecting the maintenance position from the MMI?

I have decided to run it down to my local garage to see if they can diagnose the problem then I will try to fix myself.

I love this car, but when things go wrong it's incredibly difficult to find the root cause of the problem. Ever person I ask has a different answer! :-)

Many thanks for the sugestions!

I've had a similar sounding problem with my wipers, which went very slowly before stopping completely in the middle of the screen.

Further use resulted in a 10 degree sweep of the windscreen, with the wipers still stuck in the middle.

I pulled the wiper assembly out and the drivers side spindle is seized almost solid and would only move after the careful application of a lump hammer!
I couldn't actually get the spindle out so have thrown the whole lot back in again and will get a new linkage assembly, around £198 from Audi...

By the way, anyone know how to remove the electrical connector from the wiper motor - mine wouldn't budge..!!

Bolts often work there way loose