VW Virtus Wiper Switch Failure: Repair Cost Guide

Had a similar issue on my 2016 VW Polo TSI last month. The windshield wipers stopped responding suddenly, showing error codes. Initially thought it was the wiper motor, but diagnostic testing revealed a faulty connection in the steering column wiper switch assembly. The turn signal stalk houses both the indicator and wiper controls, these components share a common wiring harness. The main issue was corrosion on the wiper switch contacts inside the stalk assembly. The entire unit needed replacement since individual parts are not serviceable. This is a common failure point on these models. While not a serious mechanical issue, it requires careful diagnosis since symptoms can mimic a failed wiper motor. The repair involves: Removing steering wheel airbag, Disconnecting battery, Replacing complete stalk assembly, Resetting vehicle electronics A certified shop should handle this due to the airbag system involvement. The job takes about 2 hours with proper tools. Make sure they use genuine parts, as aftermarket switches tend to fail prematurely. The wiper stalk assembly is a serviceable part, and repair is worthwhile considering the age and mileage of your Virtus.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I ran into the exact same problem with my Virtus last year. The rain sensor and wiper controls suddenly stopped responding while driving in bad weather, which was pretty stressful. The cruise control buttons were also affected since they share the same module. My mechanic also found it was the faulty stalk assembly in the steering column. Would you mind sharing what you paid for the complete repair? Just want to compare costs since I got quoted quite high initially. Also curious if youve had any issues since the repair? My wipers work perfectly now but sometimes the turn signal doesnt self-cancel properly after turns.

Thanks for asking about the repair costs. Since having the wiper switch fixed at my mechanic, everything has worked flawlessly. The total repair came to 95€, which covered fixing a damaged cable connection in the wiper switch assembly. Much cheaper than expected, especially compared to replacing the entire unit. The rain sensor, cruise control, and all wiper functions are operating perfectly now. Unlike your experience, I havent noticed any issues with the turn signals self-canceling. If youre having that problem, it might be worth getting the steering angle sensor checked, as it can affect both the turn signal and wiper control functions. The repair was straightforward once they identified the exact issue with the wiper switch. Getting proper diagnosis really helped avoid unnecessary parts replacement. The original problem never came back, and the wipers respond instantly in all modes.

Had the repair done last week actually. Found a highly recommended independent shop that specializes in VW electronics. Total bill came to 320€, more reasonable than the 500€ quoted by the dealer. They replaced the complete wiper switch assembly since the original was corroded. The mechanic showed me the old unit, the wiring harness connection points were pretty damaged. They also cleaned the rain sensor while everything was apart. Whole job took about 3 hours including testing. Much better experience than my previous shop. The wipers work perfectly now and no issues with other controls. The turn signals self-cancel normally too. Glad I switched mechanics, the new shop did proper diagnostic work first instead of just throwing parts at the problem. Worth noting they used genuine VW parts and provided a 12-month warranty on the repair. Big improvement over my old mechanic who wanted to replace the entire wiper motor without even testing the switch first.