Front wipers coming on randomly

[McDub]

It's only started the last few days.

Randomly, the wipers come on for a single wipe. So on a dry windscreen, very annoying!

It might happen 4 times in a 30 minute trip. Sometimes soon after the last time, sometimes with a long break in between.

Anyone had this problem before?

I've done some searching, and i think i need to investigate some relay, and possibly the wiper stalk.
anybody offer some guidance?

Cheers

[Manaz]

Just because it needs to be said - you do have them off, and not on the lowest intermittent speed, yes? At the lowest speed, they won't actually activate until they detect rain - big bumps, sudden changes of light conditions (particularly moving through dappled shade) etc seem to occasionally trigger my wipers when I leave them on intermittent...

[Rybky]

I thought with the auto wipers the "intermittent" setting (1 up from off) was always just auto, what is normally the speed adjustment for intermittent actually adjusts the sensitivity of the auto sensing. That was my understanding anyway.

Adam

[McDub]

yeah manaz maybe your bora is different, but the intermittant on the golf (gti and i presume others, not sure about r32) is simply based on the setting. I don't believe there is any rain sensing on my car. but yes it is still def in the off position. I disconnected the fuse for the rear wipers because i heard that can cause problems with the front, so will give that a go.

[RolfGolf]

This is a long shot, but I'll put it out there just in case it helps someone who reads this thread:

I had a problem with my front wipers coming on randomly after my rear window was replaced, when the grommet that seals between the rear wiper motor and the window was not put back properly. This let water/condensation into the electrics of the rear, which somehow triggered the fronts randomly.

Odd - I know, but when I fixed up the grommet the problem stopped.

Cheers.

[McDub]

yep that was the thing i was trying to problem solve by removing the fuse for the rear wipers, but nope the front wipers still went off randomly once or twice on the way home.

So where is the relay for the wipers?

[McDub]

it's now gotten worse. i start the car, and they start up straight away. then when it gets back to the bottom of the stroke, it starts to creep up slowly for a few seconds, then comes up again, then does it again, so now it's basically on constantly, but with a bad shudder at the start. i've now taken the fuse out for the front wipers. unfortunatly it started raining on me and it was bloody dangerous.
a good excuse to drive the old mans s3 (which is conveniently located in the garage while he is away) to work tomorrow...

[JustCruisn]

Looks to be part 4B0955531E
It should be on the relay carrier under the steering wheel.

[McDub]

ah thanks for that. under the steering wheel is it, guess if i take of the lower dash panels i'll see it?
and where'd you get that p/n from?

[Golf Loon]

I`d suspect the stalk more, but the relay is easier to try.

[Back Door Shenanigans.]

Could be like the hazard lights on the bora which kept going off. Turned out to be the stalk. Try spraying some contact cleaner on the stalk contacts. Cant hurt....unless you do it wrong.

[Manaz]

Cant hurt....unless you do it wrong.

This it the quote of the day!

[Gravey]

This it the quote of the day!

soooo many rude responses going through my head right now

[McDub]

just called up vw parts. $87 for the relay. ouch! and it's on a 3 day back order from singapore.
might see if i can investigate the stalk being the problem first before i waste money on something

anyone care to walk me through what i need to do?

Cheers

[McDub]

Looks to be part 4B0955531E
It should be on the relay carrier under the steering wheel.

where'd you get that part number from?
i searched and found it on ECS who say "Fits vehicles without rain sensor wipers only."
Audi B5 S4 2.7T > Search > 4B0955531E
i don't have rain sensing wipers i don't think...