Audi SQ5 Wipers Dead: All Functions Not Working

I had a similar issue with my 2016 S4, and being someone with basic car repair experience, I first tried the same checks you did with the fuses. The problem turned out to be a faulty connection between the wiper switch and the main wiring harness in the steering column. The workshop found that moisture had caused corrosion in one of the connectors. They had to partially disassemble the steering column to access and replace the damaged wiring connector. Total repair cost was 95 Euro, which covered both diagnosis and fixing the connection. The job took about an hour and the car wipers have worked perfectly since then. The mechanic mentioned this is actually a somewhat common issue in this model family. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Does the washer fluid spray function work? Can you hear any sound from the wiper motor when operating the switch? Did this start suddenly or gradually get worse? Does the turn signal work normally? These details would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if it might be something else entirely.

Thanks for sharing your repair story. Just had my 59563 KM service done last month. To answer your questions: The washer fluid and turn signal work fine. The windshield wipers stopped working suddenly during a rainstorm with no warning signs. No sound from the motor when using the wiper switch. No grinding or clicking noises either. The symptoms do sound similar to your wiring harness issue. Though given how suddenly it happened, Im wondering if its the wiper motor itself rather than gradual corrosion. Did your mechanic mention any telltale signs that help distinguish between a bad motor versus wiring problems?

Thanks for those details. My situation was indeed a bit different since the failure in my S4 developed more gradually over a few weeks with intermittent function before failing completely. The instant failure you experienced combined with zero motor noise strongly points toward either a completely failed wiper motor or a total electrical disconnect. In my wiring harness case, we occasionally heard faint clicking when operating the switch, which indicated the signal was at least partially getting through. The fact your turn signal and washer fluid functions work properly is actually quite telling. Since these functions share the same general wiring path through the steering column but remain operational, this further suggests the wiper motor itself rather than a wiring issue. My mechanic explained that sudden, silent failures are more typical of motor problems, while wiring issues tend to show warning signs first. The windshield wipers assembly in these models is quite reliable, but when the motor does fail, its usually complete rather than partial. Based on both our experiences with similar models, Id bet youre looking at a wiper motor replacement rather than wiring. The repair cost will likely be higher than my wiring fix, typically around 400-500 Euro including labor.

Thanks for breaking that down. The rain sensor and complete windshield wipers setup suddenly failing during a storm does make me nervous about repair costs. But your explanation about sudden versus gradual failure makes sense. Good to know about the turn signals being a useful troubleshooting indicator. Since mine are working fine along with the washer fluid, Im starting to accept its probably the wiper motor rather than wiring in the steering column. Ill budget for around 500 Euro and get it into the shop next week. The clear weather forecast gives me a bit of time, but obviously need to get this fixed soon. Really appreciate you sharing both the technical details and actual repair costs from your experience. Helps set realistic expectations before heading to the mechanic.