rolandfrost7
Q4 e-tron Wiper System Failure Troubleshooting Tips
4 comment(s)
rolandfrost7 (Author)
Thanks for sharing those details about the wiring harness repair. The problem sounds identical to what I experienced with my Q4. The turn signal stalk was also acting up occasionally, which makes sense given the shared connections in the steering column. Could you recall the total repair cost? Also wondering if you have experienced any issues since the fix? My dealer quoted me 800 Euro just for diagnostics, which seems excessive for what could be a simple connector problem.
theresa_himmel60
Just got back from having this exact issue fixed on my e-tron GT. The repair cost was much lower than expected, only 95 Euro to repair a faulty connection in the wiring harness. The windshield wipers now work perfectly, and the turn signal irregularities have also disappeared. The wiper switch problem was resolved by cleaning and reseating the connector rather than replacing the entire component. This saved significant costs compared to the initial diagnostic quote you received. The repair shop found that moisture had caused minor corrosion at the connection point between the wiper motor and main harness. Since the fix three months ago, everything has functioned flawlessly. No issues with the windshield wipers or turn signals. Your 800 Euro quote does seem quite steep for what could be a straightforward electrical connection problem. Might be worth getting a second opinion from another certified shop that specializes in electrical diagnostics.
rolandfrost7 (Author)
Thanks for the input. After getting a second opinion, I took my Q4 to another certified shop that specialized in electrical systems. The diagnostic fee was only 150 Euro, and they quickly identified the issue, a loose connection in the steering column wiring that affected both the wiper switch and turn signals. The total repair came to 280 Euro including labor, much better than the 800 Euro diagnostic fee the dealer wanted. They cleaned the connectors, reseated them properly, and ran a full system check. The windshield wipers are now working perfectly, and those unusual turn signal glitches have disappeared too. The mechanic showed me where moisture had started corroding one of the main connectors. He mentioned this is a common issue they see with newer vehicles due to all the integrated electronics. The cruise control system, which had been acting up occasionally, is also working properly now since it shares some of the same wiring paths. Definitely glad I got that second opinion instead of going with the dealer. The whole repair took less than 2 hours, and I haven't had any issues since.
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theresa_himmel60
Faced a similar problem with my 2020 Audi e-tron GT. The wiper motor suddenly failed, showing identical symptoms. The issue turned out to be a corroded connection in the wiring harness near the motor assembly. These modern cars with rain sensors and integrated windshield wiper systems often develop issues at connection points rather than complete component failure. In your case, since the rain sensor is functioning, focus should be on: 1. Wiper motor connections 2. Main wiring harness connecting to control module 3. Steering column switch assembly The fix required disassembling the cowl panel to access the wiring harness and replacing damaged connectors. This was not a quick roadside repair and needed specialized diagnostic equipment to properly reset the system. While investigating, they also found the cruise control module shared some of these connections, which explained occasional cruise system glitches. The complete repair involved: Testing wiper motor functionality, Tracing wiring harness paths, Replacing corroded connectors, System recalibration Important: This requires proper diagnostic tools and expertise with electrical systems in modern EVs. Best handled by certified technicians familiar with e-tron systems.