Rear Window Wiper Noise and Stuttering

[Goz]

Hi
The other day I used the rear window wiper in the rain for the first time on my Polo Trendline.
It made this annoying noise as it jumped and stuttered across the window. So my first question is, has anyone else had this experience?

I contacted the VW dealership and had their technician look at it. He said he cleaned the rubber on the wiper and topped up the washer fluid with Windscreen Cleaner Concentrate.

What I don't understand is, why would topping up the washer fluid stop the stuttering and noise? I'm not supposed to constantly spray the washer while the wiper is on, am I? Also, wipers are used in the rain, so any washer fluid acting as lubricant would be washed away anyway, wouldn't it? Or am I missing something?

Are there people who've had the stuttering wiper issue resolved by using Windscreen Cleaner Concentrate?

Thanks in advance for any insights.
Goz

[Rubbadub]

After first putting some Rain-X on my front windscreen, the wipers did the hoppity thing the first time I used them (since settled down OK). Is it possible you have some product, whether polish, wax, cleaner etc, that has got smeared on the rear windscreen? Maybe try to give it a thorough clean with something alcohol-based. Even stuff you can't see with the naked eye can sometimes cause these sorts of problems.

[wai]

I contacted the VW dealership and had their technician look at it. He said he cleaned the rubber on the wiper and topped up the washer fluid with Windscreen Cleaner Concentrate.

What I don't understand is, why would topping up the washer fluid stop the stuttering and noise? I'm not supposed to constantly spray the washer while the wiper is on, am I? Also, wipers are used in the rain, so any washer fluid acting as lubricant would be washed away anyway, wouldn't it? Or am I missing something?

Going back to 1979 when I bought my Torana while working for the NSW Department of Motor Transport, this was exactly the same "fix" put forward by Holden in their service bulletin on the problem.

First was to suggest the owner wash the windscreen to make sure that it is clean.

Next suggest the owner buy and use the AC Delco washer fluid concentrate.

Next suggest that the owner replace the wiper blades.

Next offer to sell the new style wiper blades if the owner returns with the same problem after doing all of the above.

It is standard operating practice.

As to what may be causing it? It could be that the blades have hardened over time and need replacing.

[gavs]

Rear Window Wiper Noise and Stuttering

Replace the blade with natural rubber. Also clay bar and the wipe the glass down with isopropanol to remove any contaminants. This should help for a period of time but due to limited use, a rear wiper will deteriorate quicker than fronts.

[ill0gitech]

What Gav said.
This can happen on any car and is not unique to VW, nor is it unique to back windows.

The best way to fix is to properly clean the glass, and if you're noticing issues when it rains, then yes, spray some wiper fluid (which should contain cleaner concentrate) to clean and remove the gunk that builds up on the back window.

And since you don't use your rear wiper much, the rubber they use has a tendency to dry out - especially if you've never used it before.

[scobb]

I had a similar problem with my front wipers after applying Rain-X. It was the first time I'd used the product and I thought I'd applied it per instructions, but first time out in the rain and the wipers stuttered appallingly. Long story short, I have since found that - in my experience at least - if you apply this Rain-X, you need to polish the bejesus out of the glass and finish off with a really dry clean cloth. Then it seems to work without any stuttering, but if you just squirt the stuff on and give it a relatively quick wipe off, it causes issues.

Maybe it's just me, but I'm not yet convinced on the merits of these types of products.

[amazeer]

I used to swear by rain-x in my air-cooleds. 30 years of wear and loss of spring tension meant those wipers were pretty useless. or perhaps they were useless to begin with. With rain-x I didnt often use the wipers. The heavier the rain the better it worked. Only time I needed the wipers was when it was really fine mist. Maybe the near vertical windows made it more effective than on the polo? Wind hits it harder?

[steveyoshi]

you are not meant to use the Wipers after using Rain-X

After first putting some Rain-X on my front windscreen, the wipers did the hoppity thing the first time I used them (since settled down OK). Is it possible you have some product, whether polish, wax, cleaner etc, that has got smeared on the rear windscreen? Maybe try to give it a thorough clean with something alcohol-based. Even stuff you can't see with the naked eye can sometimes cause these sorts of problems.

[Rubbadub]

you are not meant to use the Wipers after using Rain-X

In light rain, of course; full-on torrential stuff, I don't think so.

[Goz]

Thanks to everyone who replied, this helps a lot.

So stuff on the window and wiper can cause the stuttering and need to be cleaned off. This I understand.
Someone suggested the rubber might have hardened. But this car is brand new! Got it about a month ago. So the rubber on the wiper should be new as well, shouldn't it?
I'm having a bit of difficulty getting my head around the comments that suggest the rubber tends to deteriorate (harden, dry up) faster on the rear window wiper because it is not used as often as the ones in front. Would using the rear wiper more frequently, that is any time I'm using the front wipers, make it last longer, or make the stuttering go away?

[steveyoshi]

From 20 odd years ago the instructions used to say something like... Do not use Windscreen Wipers after application.

In light rain, of course; full-on torrential stuff, I don't think so.

[ill0gitech]

Someone suggested the rubber might have hardened. But this car is brand new!

At one month it's more likely the gunk on your window and wiper at this age - but keep in mind that "new" is relative - how long was it sitting in docks, yards, containers, etc.

I'm having a bit of difficulty getting my head around the comments that suggest the rubber tends to deteriorate (harden, dry up) faster on the rear window wiper because it is not used as often as the ones in front. Would using the rear wiper more frequently, that is any time I'm using the front wipers, make it last longer, or make the stuttering go away?

The use your front wipers get is a combination of both friction and moisture. The combination of speed and aerodynamics mean that whilst your front wipers may be on full - there's barely a drop on your rears.
Running the rear at the same time as the fronts is unfortunately not likely to help maintain the rubber in the same was as the fronts... unless you drive backwards.

[wai]

Thanks to everyone who replied, this helps a lot.

So stuff on the window and wiper can cause the stuttering and need to be cleaned off. This I understand.
Someone suggested the rubber might have hardened. But this car is brand new! Got it about a month ago. So the rubber on the wiper should be new as well, shouldn't it?
I'm having a bit of difficulty getting my head around the comments that suggest the rubber tends to deteriorate (harden, dry up) faster on the rear window wiper because it is not used as often as the ones in front. Would using the rear wiper more frequently, that is any time I'm using the front wipers, make it last longer, or make the stuttering go away?

The front windscreen is cleared of surface dust as the vehicle is driven, while the rear window can actually see a build up of dust.

The front wipers are also used more and so the wiping edge is "refreshed" (worn away). This is also the reason why the front wipers twitch every so often when the wipers have not been used and the vehicle is shut down. If the wipers are not used, they can stick to the glass, and then when used, they can end up with tears on the wiping edge leading this these problems.

Both on my current vehicle and previous one, the rear wipers were used relatively infrequently, yet they had to be replaced regularly because of streaking caused by dust that did not clear, and wipers that stuck that then caused the blades to get damaged when they were used.

Using the rear wipers may help, however you also need to clear the rear window and wipers of dust more regularly as well.

[Goz]

Hi Awesome people,

After reading all the posts, I am now much more aware of the dust and whatnot on the wiper blade, and yes, the rear wiper seems to accumulate stuff more quickly than the front. Maybe I should wipe the blades with microfiber everytime I go for drive in the rain!

I have one other question. With the Polo Trendline, how do you know when the washer fluid is full? Unlike the engine coolant tank, there's no line, no "MIN" or "MAX" indicator anywhere. There's the blue lid, which is attached to a corrugated semi-transparent whitish plastic tubing about 20-30cm long, and this is attached to what looks like a black pipe but I can barely see it 'cause it's deep down in the vehicle. Where should the top of the fluid be?

Right now I cannot see the top of the fluid at all. In other words, the 20-30cm long corrugated plastic piping is completely empty.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[alexaescht]

Rear Window Wiper Noise and Stuttering

Hi Awesome people,

After reading all the posts, I am now much more aware of the dust and whatnot on the wiper blade, and yes, the rear wiper seems to accumulate stuff more quickly than the front. Maybe I should wipe the blades with microfiber everytime I go for drive in the rain!

I have one other question. With the Polo Trendline, how do you know when the washer fluid is full? Unlike the engine coolant tank, there's no line, no "MIN" or "MAX" indicator anywhere. There's the blue lid, which is attached to a corrugated semi-transparent whitish plastic tubing about 20-30cm long, and this is attached to what looks like a black pipe but I can barely see it 'cause it's deep down in the vehicle. Where should the top of the fluid be?

Right now I cannot see the top of the fluid at all. In other words, the 20-30cm long corrugated plastic piping is completely empty.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I just fill it right up to the lid and then add washer additive. When no more water comes out of the washers I fill it up and add washer additive again