100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

Carly Community

heinzsturm4

VW Polo Wipers Dead After Recent Mechanic Visit

Looking for input on electrical problems with my 2000 VW Polo TDI (65000km). The windshield wipers stopped working completely and my scan tool shows an error code. The wiper switch feels normal when operating it, but nothing happens. Had some questionable repairs done at my last mechanic visit and now wondering if this could be related. Has anyone experienced similar symptoms? Would be great to hear about repair costs and potential root causes before visiting another shop.

4 comment(s)

robinfrost4

The symptoms you describe match what happened with my 2003 VW Golf TDI. The windshield wipers failed completely despite the rain sensor and controls appearing normal. After inspection, the issue traced back to a damaged connection in the steering column where the wiper control module connects to the main wiring harness. The turn signal assembly had to be removed to access the connection. The wiper motor itself tested fine, but corrosion had built up in the connector, breaking the circuit. This wasnt a quick fix since accessing the steering column required partial dashboard removal. The issue links to your previous repairs if they worked near the steering column area. Water intrusion at the base of the windshield can also cause similar connection problems over time. While not a safety-critical failure, driving without working wipers isnt advisable. The repair requires specialized knowledge of the electrical system and proper diagnostic equipment to verify the wiper motor and control module function. Based on the symptoms, start with having the wiring connections checked before replacing any major components like the wiper motor or control module.

heinzsturm4 (Author)

Wow, that perfectly describes what happened to my VW Polo last winter. Similarly, the wipers completely died, leaving me worried about driving in wet conditions. The mechanic found corrosion in the wiring harness near the steering column, which affected both the wiper blade system and cruise control functionality. Did your repair hold up well since then? Would be great to know the repair costs in your case. In my situation, the shop had to remove several components to access the damaged area, which drove up labor hours.

robinfrost4

Happy to report my wiper repair has held up perfectly since getting it fixed last year. The mechanic found a faulty plug connection in the steering column wiring, similar to your Polo issue. Total cost came to 95€ for fixing the connection, much cheaper than replacing the entire wiper motor or rain sensor unit. The repair involved accessing the turn signal assembly and cleaning the corroded contacts. Since the fix, both the wipers and cruise control have worked flawlessly. The wiring harness connection was thoroughly sealed to prevent future moisture issues. Getting proper access through the steering column was indeed time-consuming, but necessary for a lasting repair. The corrosion damage could have spread if left unchecked, potentially affecting more electrical components over time. Most importantly, having functional wipers again provides peace of mind during wet weather. The initial diagnosis pointing to wiring rather than a faulty wiper motor saved considerable replacement costs.

heinzsturm4 (Author)

Thanks, I can now close out my wiper repair experience! After noticing the issue, I took my Polo to a new mechanic who specialized in VW electrical systems. The entire repair took about 3 hours since they had to remove multiple parts to access the wiring harness near the steering column. The final bill came to 220€, which included cleaning the corroded connections and replacing a small section of damaged wiring. They also checked the turn signal assembly while they were in there since it was showing intermittent issues. Both the wiper blade system and cruise control now work perfectly. This was definitely a better experience than my previous mechanic who missed diagnosing the actual wiring problem. Having working wipers again makes such a difference for safe driving, especially during bad weather. For anyone facing similar issues, getting a proper electrical diagnosis early can prevent bigger problems down the road.

Join the discussion now: