Question: New Jetta but unsmooth windscreen wipers

[Jettaman]

Hi all,

Just got a new Jetta MY07 in December last year. Drives a treat.

I noted with some rain in Melbourne yesterday, that I had to use my wipers seriously for the first time.

I've noticed that the wiping motion is not smooth; it like it sticks to the windscreen, getting caught, stuttering across and very noisy. There was certainly a lot of rain so it wasn't an issue of trying to wipe on a dry windscreen.

I could avoid the problem temporarily by using my windscreen water reservoir which has some detergent in there: it makes it smooth again, but after a while, the wipers start sticking.

Have you guys/gals had this problem? Any thoughts - don't tell me this is a running-in problem (however the last time I've had a new car was 12 years ago )!

Thank you
Jettaman

[fun510]

I have had similar problems with many cars over the years. I have found it relates to the friction between the screen and rubber, hence why the lubrication of the deterhent will help temporarilty.

Potential Causes
Dirty or Oxidised glass - Clean with metho and water mix (1/4 metho)
Poor rubber condition - Should not apply but how much damage was done whilst at sea???

These days I actually use RAINX. This product will make the rain bead and blow off the windsheild instead of running over it! It really does work. Being alcohol based, it also stops the wipers from chattering as well.

If the problem does not go away when you clean the glass, just pick up a new set of rubbers.

But seriously - give the rain x a go! I use it on my racecar as it does not have any wipers. I think Motorcyclists use it on their helmets to!

Good Luck.

[bmwrider]

Hi all,

Just got a new Jetta MY07 in December last year. Drives a treat.

I noted with some rain in Melbourne yesterday, that I had to use my wipers seriously for the first time.

I've noticed that the wiping motion is not smooth; it like it sticks to the windscreen, getting caught, stuttering across and very noisy. There was certainly a lot of rain so it wasn't an issue of trying to wipe on a dry windscreen.

I could avoid the problem temporarily by using my windscreen water reservoir which has some detergent in there: it makes it smooth again, but after a while, the wipers start sticking.

Have you guys/gals had this problem? Any thoughts - don't tell me this is a running-in problem (however the last time I've had a new car was 12 years ago )!

Thank you
Jettaman

Same problem yesterday with my 3 month old gt sport I will try the rainx as suggested

[Thomas]

I got my Jetta MY08 on Friday and have to say I am not impressed with my wipers either. I do have some of the stuttering across the windscreen. When this occurred on my Sportivo I simply changed the wiper blades and all was good. I might give the raindx solution a go.

Regards
Tom

[mikinoz]

Cheapest solution is Bars Bugs, and massage it in to the glass. Rainx is also good.

It happens to me also after automatic car washing.

[Mischa]

since they're aero wipers you'll get ripped at a dealer. you can prise off the plastic end thingy on the wiper, pull out the rubber and replace it with a 3$ aero replacement rubber jobby from big w. might have to have a few tries as to which ones fits but its worth not paying the ridiculous sum a dealer will charge to replace the whole wiper arms.

[Timbo]

I swear by RainX. There's a concentrate that you can use to do a manual windscreen clean, and also some additive for the washer reservoir. In practice, I just use the concentrate for both.

[craig_the_german]

Windscreen wiper chatter

Hi all,

I worked at a dealer ship for many years (not VW, Ford and Daihatsu) and I remember that there was a batch of Daihatsu's arrived that had issues with windscreen wiper chatter.....this was so bad that the cars were almost undriveable in the rain (I know...I had one of these ). All of the dealerships were having the same troubles and tried all of the fixes that have been mentioned in this thread.

Turns out that it was actually the glass used in the manufacture of the screens, for some reason NOTHING would make the wiper blades slide smoothly. Many cars actually had the screens replaced with aftermarket ones to fix the problem.

I put up with the wiper chatter for many years until I had to get mine replaced due to chipping...and guess what...instantly fixed the wiper chatter.

I am not suggesting that you need to go to this degree to fix the wiper chatter but the Jetta is not the first car to have a problem like this.

You would think that after so many years of motoring and the unbelievable technology that goes into cars today, someone would have come up with a better system than a bit of rubber to swish the water off the screen

[DionM]

My MY07 Jetta wipers work fine since day dot.

No issues at all.

[turboveedubb]

Mine is having the same issue. The wiper fluid does seem to help the problem for a short period. I'll give the rainX thing ago, if not I'll give the dealer a call just to see what they can offer. I've only had the car for about 2 months, the blades were quite good at the start, silent and smooth. I was really surprised at how easily it just glided across the windscreen, but now it's noisy as.

[Jettaman]

Wow - I thought I was the only one.
I'll certainly give RainX a go, but thats a short term measure.
I have a feeling I will go to BigW and replace those wiper blades myself...

funny thing, this is not a scientific test, but when I rubbed my fingers across the windows when it was raining - not much friction, but I wipe it over the front windscreen, there is friction. could be subjective;

In relation to dodgy windscreen glass, have you Jetta owners noticed any distortion of view, when looking through the windscreen?

Thanks all
JM

[neil]

Had the same problem with my new Jetta a few months back..
It was ok on the freeway and heavy rain but when you slowed it would
chatter across the screen and only on the drivers side.
I thought if it was working fine at high speed it would seem it does not
have enough pressure on the wiper when at slow speeds.
I pushed on the wiper arm with my hand with a small force and have not
had anymore problems.
This worked for me but no liability if you do any damage.
neil.

[BeigeJet]

I got my Jetta MY08 on Friday and have to say I am not impressed with my wipers either. I do have some of the stuttering across the windscreen. When this occurred on my Sportivo I simply changed the wiper blades and all was good. I might give the raindx solution a go.

Regards
Tom

Hi All,

I've used RainX on all my cars for the last 8 years and it works a treat! Do all the windows too! My Jetta's wipers have worked nicely since new so no problems experienced. I also have a Sportivo that I use RainX on and they work fine.
RainX will wear off after time while using the wipers so re-applications will be necessary.
Old blades don't help even if using RainX so its best have new blades probably every 12 mths to 2 yrs. Yes blades can be expensive but a clear view is imperative in foul weather. I think the Jetta is like my Sportivo in that they have different length blades for the LHD wiper and RHD wiper.
RainX is about $10 from Repco. Kmart used to sell it in the past.
Cheers to you all,

Regards,

Neil.

[juscre]

Your wiper blades aren't red by any chance are they? When I got my GTI in 2006 I had issues with wiper chatter and it turned out that they left the shipping inserts on the car and hadn't actually put the proper blades on. Once they replaced them they were fine.

[jaimo]

If the blades chatter across the screen (one way only). IE: When going up from the park position. All that needs to be done is a slight twist of the arm so the blade is at more of an angle, because it sounds like the blade is to straight.
All you do is place a rag inside a shifting spanner (as not to damage the black paint) and then place the spanner as close to the upper arm as pos, then twist the arm slightly. Note: If twisted to much the wiper will then chatter on the way down. Also best to do this adjustment when the wipers are in the up position, as not to damage the bonnet or screen.
Cheers, Jaimo.