VW Lupo Wiper Switch Issue: DIY Troubleshooting Guide

As someone who dealt with a similar wiper issue on my 2003 VW Polo diesel, I can share my experience. I have moderate experience working on VWs, mainly doing basic maintenance and troubleshooting. The symptoms you describe match exactly what happened with my car. The windshield wipers stopped working suddenly, and initially I also thought it was the wiper switch. After taking it to my regular workshop, they found that the wiring connection between the steering column and the wiper motor had deteriorated. The repair involved accessing the connections behind the steering column and replacing a damaged wire harness connector. Total cost was 95€ including labor. The rain sensor system worked perfectly after the fix. However, to provide more specific guidance for your Lupo, could you share: Does the washer fluid pump still work when activated? Can you hear the wiper motor trying to operate? Have you noticed any other electrical issues recently? Did the problem start gradually or suddenly? These details would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced or if it might be related to other common failing points in the wiper system.

Last service was at 58000km and the wipers worked fine then. Just started noticing intermittent operation of the windshield wipers last week. Yes, I hear a clicking sound from the wiper motor when activating the wiper switch, but no movement happens. The washer fluid pump still works normally. No other electrical problems with turn signals or any other systems. The wiper switch seems to have normal resistance when turning it, not loose or stuck. The rain sensor should activate the wipers automatically when it rains but that function stopped working too. Given that both manual and automatic operation failed, maybe checking the common ground connections might help pinpoint the issue. Will test the fuses next and report back with results.

Thanks for those additional details about your Lupo. The symptoms you describe sound very similar to what I experienced with my Polo, especially the clicking sound from the wiper motor and the rain sensor malfunction. In my case, when both manual wipers and rain sensor functions failed simultaneously, it turned out the wiring harness was the culprit. The clicking noise from the wiper motor typically indicates the motor itself is still functional, but not getting proper power supply. Since your washer pump works fine and the turn signal operates normally, we can likely rule out a complete steering column wiring failure. Before replacing any parts, try this: 1. Check the main wiper fuse and the separate rain sensor fuse 2. Inspect the ground connection points near the wiper motor 3. Look for any signs of water damage around the windshield wiper motor connections When my car had this issue, the workshop found corrosion at one of the connection points was preventing proper voltage from reaching the wiper motor. The clicking sound you hear matches exactly what my car did before the repair. Let us know what you find with the fuse check. If everything looks good there, the wiring harness connector should be the next thing to investigate, just like in my case.

Thanks for the input. Just wanted to update on my Lupo wiper situation. After checking the fuses as suggested, I found they were all fine. However, when inspecting the wiring harness connections near the wiper motor, I discovered significant corrosion at one of the main connector points. Used electrical contact cleaner and carefully cleaned the connections. The windshield wipers now work perfectly again, including the rain sensor function. No more clicking sounds when activating the wiper switch. Really glad I checked this before replacing any parts. Total cost was just 8€ for the contact cleaner. Saved a lot compared to a full switch or motor replacement. Now I know to regularly check these connections during maintenance, especially around the wiper motor area. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with the wiring harness inspection. Will definitely keep an eye on the cruise control and other electrical systems for similar connection issues in the future.