VW Beetle Wipers Dead Despite Working Rain Sensor

I had a similar issue with my 2012 VW Golf with the windshield wipers not responding. As someone with some experience working on VWs, I initially thought it was just the fuse, but it turned out to be more complex. The problem was traced to a loose connection in the wiring harness near the steering column. The turn signal and wiper control module shares this area, and vibrations over time had caused a connector to work loose. Took it to my regular workshop where they diagnosed and fixed the issue. They had to partially remove some trim pieces to access the wiring harness and reconnect everything properly. Total cost was 95€ for the repair including labor. Before you head to a workshop, could you share if you notice any other electrical issues? Sometimes problems with the wiper system can be related to other electrical components near the steering column. Also, does the rain sensor show any response when you try different wiper speed settings? Worth noting that the fault could also be in the control module itself rather than just loose connections. Having the exact details of your model variant would help narrow down the potential causes.

Thanks for the detailed response. My car just had its service at 59727km and they didnt spot any issues back then. The rain sensor does show a reaction on the dash when moisture is detected, but no other electrical issues are present. All dash lights and controls work fine except the wiper system. I tried all speed settings but get no response from the wiper motor at all. When operating the wiper stalk, there is no mechanical feedback like there used to be, it feels loose compared to normal. This makes me suspect the issue might be in the steering column connection rather than the wiring harness itself. Would checking the stalk assembly be a good first step?

Having experienced the exact same symptoms on my VW Golf, your description of the loose stalk feeling strongly points to the wiper switch assembly. Since you mention the lack of mechanical feedback, this matches perfectly with what I encountered before getting it fixed. The wiper switch in these VW models is a common failure point, and the symptoms youre describing, working rain sensor but unresponsive wipers, plus that loose feel, are classic signs of a failing switch unit. In my case, the internal contacts had worn down, causing intermittent function before total failure. The repair was straightforward, replaced the complete wiper switch assembly which includes the turn signal mechanism. The part cost around 180€ and labor was about 95€. The workshop had it done in under 2 hours. Before you book a repair, you might want to have them scan for specific error codes. While my issue was definitely the switch, there could be similar symptoms from a faulty wiper motor control module. The error codes will help pinpoint exactly whats failing. Based on your description and my experience, Id put money on the wiper switch being the culprit rather than a wiring harness issue. The lack of tactile feedback is the key indicator here.

Given the symptoms I described and your repair experience, I think the wiper switch is the most likely culprit. The loose feeling in the stalk definitely matches what you encountered, and since my rain sensor is still working while the wipers are completely unresponsive, it makes sense that the issue is in the switch mechanism itself. I will book the car in for a diagnostic scan first to confirm the fault codes. If it does turn out to be the wiper switch assembly as suspected, the repair cost of around 275€ total seems reasonable for parts and labor. The fact that it was a relatively quick fix on your VW is encouraging. The steering column access does sound a bit involved, but at least its a known issue with a straightforward solution. My cruise control and other functions are working fine, which further suggests its isolated to the wiper switch rather than a broader wiring problem. Will get it booked in next week and update once I know the outcome. Thanks for helping narrow down the likely cause, it helps to know what to expect when discussing the repair with the workshop.