Wipers just stopped working....
 

....and it's p*****g down! They were on intermittent wipe on the way to work and then stopped altogether. Not had chance to have a look yet, but there was no warning - they worked fine until they didn't! :(

Maybe you disturbed the 25amp fuse (No. 10 on fuse carrier 1) when replacing the other fuse? (presumably Fuse No.3 on fuse carrier 5? - make up mirror/lock release for boot lid/courtesy lights/interior monitor, cent locking switch/memory for morror and seat positions).

Will be the wiper motor as they have a habit of failing :( you can rebuild them if you are that way inclined or pay TPS instead!!

James replaced the one in your car a while back, Jim, the motors came from A8 Parts. Buy new from TPS, especially if you're keeping it.

I had to replace the one in my 2.8 A8, but it at least gave me some warning and juddered a bit. This one just stopped. So did James replace it with a used motor from A8 Parts? Seems strange that it failed so quickly? Do I need a part number for a motor from TPS?

TPS will look up the part number for you

My PF would do it now and again... Does it work on full speed? Mine would come back to life after a vigorous spraying with WD40 (what doesn't?)

Part number is 4D2 955 113 B for the motor on its own. Looks like James bought the motor from us 2 years ago, but even so please give us a call and we can work out a deal on a replacement for you if you decide not to buy brand new.

seems to me a bit coincidental with the other problems which would tend to suggest fuse problem other than motor failure as suddenly as that:Confused:

Just went out to see if it was a fuse, so I could call TPS if I needed a motor....

......and they're working fine! :Confused:

No hesitation or juddering, just working as usual.

I expect one of your serfs fixed them already. . . ;)

Is that not a job for the servant?

They will probably only work when its dry now!! As soon as it rains they will stop working. :p

Shame you didnt get a chance to try out your new, fancy toolkit!

It was raining when I checked them. I can't even hazard a guess as to what's happening now. I'll have a closer look when I get home

Could be moisture in the connections.. WD40 them suckers :)

The mechanism gets rusty because of water ingress and that increases resistance and load. If the current exceeds certain limit because of extra load it stops working until you cycle ignition. If the load is within limits next time it will work until loads goes too high again. WD40 provide some lubrication for a while so it is working but its not a permanent solution as WD40 washes out grease and evaporates with time leaving it worse then before.

You need to strip it down, clean up and put in corrosion inhibiting grease like ACF50. The seals could be damaged as well and require replacement but they cannot be bought on their own as far as I know.

I just rebuilt rear wiper on our A6 last week and I could see it has been replaced before not in too distant past as the motor was looking quite fresh without any wear and the monkeys replacing it have damaged trim and lost some clips. I guess rears fail more often because of of use.

Same thing also happened on friends B6 front wipers last year.

I would also check the electrical connections, and the drains underneath the motor. Mine were blocked, and at the weekend the wiring became submerged in water due to the rain. The connectors were perilously close to also being submerged and a little more water and they would have been. They maybe working now because some of the water has drained out through a clogged drain.

All looked OK tonight. It's dry and the wipers are moving smoothly. So I gave the connections and linkages a squirt of WD40 for good measure.

Rain is forecast again tomorrow, so we'll see what happens. If they stop again, I'll order a new motor.

Ouch! Just phoned TPS. £160.19 plus VAT = £192.23. Can anyone get me a discount? I'd like to fit a new one, but not at that price - that's a little more than I spent at the bar at the meet in The Lakes!

Next option is Gordon here is Scotland or A8 Parts for a second hand unit

Just called them and they quoted the same price

So much for trade discount prices

TPS only do trade prices so that's why Jim got quoted the same price as you. It might be worth seeing if it is the same as a VW Passat one, could be cheaper. In any case. I would buy brand new, the second hand motor has failed again as they have a tendency to, it isn't worth.

1. The risk of them failing again going down the motorway etc
2. Having to replace the motor for a third time (false economy)

It will cost more money, and take more effort. If you're keeping the car, cough up to TPS. :(

On the lubrication of the mechanism, connections etc try some ACF 50 spray rather than WD40 (which tends to remove grease etc) or some of their excellent corrosion block grease. Used it on my jetski (marine only use) and had no corrosion after 4 years use, so it is pretty good stuff, also use it on my Harley & 1/5th scale Baja buggy.