VW Taos Wipers Dead: Switch vs Motor Mystery

Had the same issue with my 2019 VW Tiguan. The wipers stopped working completely, similar to your symptoms. Initially thought it was just the wiper switch since it felt loose when operating, but diagnostic testing revealed a more complex problem. The wiring harness inside the steering column had worn through from regular movement, causing intermittent connection issues. This is actually a known wear point in several VW models. The repair required partial disassembly of the steering column to access and replace the damaged section of the wiring harness. This is not a DIY job due to the complexity of accessing components inside the steering column and the need for proper diagnostic equipment to verify the repair. The windshield wipers system is tied into several other electrical components, so proper testing is essential. A certified shop should first perform a full diagnostic scan to determine if its the wiper switch, motor, or wiring harness causing the failure. Based on your description, the symptoms match what I experienced with the wiring harness issue, which was a substantial repair requiring specialized knowledge of VW electrical systems. The complete repair took about 4 hours at the shop. While serious, addressing it promptly prevents potential damage to other electrical components.

Thanks for that detailed information about the wiring harness issue. My Taos is actually back on the road now after dealing with similar wiper problems. The rain sensor was also faulty in my case, which was causing the windshield wipers to act up before they completely failed. The mechanic had to replace both the wiring harness and the rain sensor module. How much did your repair end up costing? Just curious to compare since prices vary quite a bit. Also, have you had any other wiper-related issues pop up since getting it fixed? My repair was done about 3 months ago and everything seems good so far, but always good to know what to watch out for.

Just wanted to update that since my last post, the wiper switch problem turned out to be much simpler than the complete wiring harness replacement I initially described. The repair only cost 95€, which covered fixing a faulty cable connection. The cruise control and other steering column functions are working perfectly now too. Unlike your case, my rain sensor was functioning properly, it was really just that loose connection causing all the trouble with the wiper blade operation. The mechanic found and fixed it quickly, which was a relief given how complex I thought the repair might be. Since the repair about 6 months ago, the wiper motor and all related components have been working flawlessly. No additional wiper issues have surfaced. The swift, simple fix proved much better than my initial experience suggested it would be. Its good to hear your repair is holding up well too, even though you needed more extensive work with the rain sensor replacement.

After dealing with the wiper problems on my Taos, wanted to share how it all worked out. Finally got it fixed last week, total bill came to 380€ for replacing both the wiring harness and rain sensor module. Pretty steep but less than I feared after reading about potential steering column issues. The turn signal and cruise control were also acting weird before the repair, but those cleared up once they fixed the wiring. Mechanic I found was actually great, really took time to explain everything and show me the worn parts they replaced. Much better experience than my previous shop visits. Been running perfectly for the past week, wipers respond instantly and the rain sensor works like it should. Definitely worth getting it done properly rather than trying quick fixes. Just glad to have it sorted before the weather gets worse.