BMW Wipers Gone Rogue: Random Activation Mystery

I had a similar issue with my 2016 BMW 3 Series diesel last winter. The symptoms were exactly what you're describing, unusual wiper activation and occasional complete failure. Took it to my regular mechanic and it turned out to be a faulty connection in the wiper control module. The wire harness had some corrosion and wasn't making proper contact. They had to replace the entire module assembly since the connection was integrated. It wasn't a major mechanical issue, but it needed immediate attention since wipers are a safety feature. The repair took about 2 hours. Would definitely recommend getting it checked soon, driving without reliable wipers can be dangerous, especially in poor weather. Best to have a professional look at it, as these electrical issues can be tricky to diagnose correctly on your own. The symptoms you're describing sound very similar to what I experienced, so I'd bet it's either the control module or a wiring issue rather than the switch itself.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful since I'm having the exact same symptoms. Glad to hear it wasn't anything too major. Just wondering, do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, have you had any other wiper-related problems since getting it fixed? I want to make sure when I get mine fixed, it's sorted for good.

Hey there! Just wanted to follow up on your questions about the repair costs. Since I took my BMW to the mechanic, everything's been working perfectly, not a single wiper issue since then. The total bill came to 95 € for fixing what turned out to be a damaged cable connection. Pretty straightforward fix, actually! I know you were worried about mechanic troubles based on past experiences, but honestly, this repair was worth every penny. The wipers now work exactly as they should, no more unusual activations or failures. It's such a relief not having to worry about them acting up anymore, especially when you really need them! If you're still hesitating about getting yours fixed, I'd say just go for it. The peace of mind is totally worth it, and it might cost you about the same as mine did if it's a similar issue. Always better to sort these things out sooner rather than later, you know?

Thanks so much for all the info! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. You were right, I needed to just get it done. Turned out my issue was a bit different though. The mechanic found that the rain sensor was acting up and sending false signals to the system. Wasn't too bad, paid around 120 for parts and labor. The funny part was when they were testing it, the wipers suddenly went crazy right in front of them! At least they got to see exactly what I was talking about. Took them about an hour to fix everything up. They even cleaned the windshield as a bonus, which was nice. Much better experience than my last mechanic visit. The wipers are working perfectly now, no more ghost movements or dead spots. Really glad I didn't put it off any longer. Thanks again for encouraging me to get it checked out!