HELP! Only half my wipers work.

[McAndrewSMac]

Hey ya'll.

I have a wiper problem. We got the windshield replaced the other day, and they took the wipers completely off to do it (naturally) but we didn't think to check them when they put them back on until today when we tried to clear the windshield after a wash. Only the driver's side works. Do any of you have a diagram for how to properly install the wipers? Is there something which may have come unplugged??

Thanks for your help.
Andy

[McAndrewSMac]

Some more info: We are afraid to disassemble anything, so most everything is superficial observations right now.

We ran the wipers again, having taken the bolt caps off the arms, and noticed that on the passenger side, the center-most bolt was moving like it was trying to push the passenger wiper, but it wasn't succeeding. The other passenger bolt (looking at the windshield, the one on the far Left) is not secure and so we can't take the nut off (don't know how the windshield guys did it!). But when we try to tighten up the OTHER one (the one that spins) it moves the driver blade.

Best we can figure is that the mechanisms and all are working fine, but what is wrong that it isn't grabbing the wiper while it is going? Should we be concerned that the left-most bolt does not come off and just spins?

Please help. I'm really concerned about this.

[Yeti]

It is just a nut that holds it onto a splined shaft. They probably did not line it up when they put it back together and it is not grabbing the wiper arm. I really don't understand why they removed them in the first place. Did they have to remove all the plastic covers at the wiper to remove the window?

[McAndrewSMac]

Yes, they took the wipers off and all the plastic covers around. There was a sensor or something they had to unplug, too.

I don't think they could have replaced it without taking them off, unless they just loosened up the plastics to have some play room.

Is this a simple fix, or should we call the experts? If it's simple, an explanation would be awesome!

THX!

[alboogiee]

Originally Posted by McAndrewSMac

Is this a simple fix, or should we call the experts? If it's simple, an explanation would be awesome!

THX!

Whether it is a simple fix or not, I would get the company that did the original work back out there ASAP to fix their mess! If they broke something major they need to fix it on their dime, I wouldn’t have a third party look at it unless the original company puts in writing that they will foot the bill of the repair. I also would at least assume that a business that disassembles something on a vehicle will check its functionality prior to turning it back over to the customer -but this is too much to expect from some. Granted this could be a simple bolt not put back in place, but if you are not comfortable troubleshooting the issue yourself then I stand by what I suggested above.

[McAndrewSMac]

That is good advice. We called the guys and they are supposed to get back to us. I totally agree that it should come off their dime though, if needed.

Thanks all.

[McAndrewSMac]

GRRRR!!!!

Repair guy came out today. Doped around. Fixed nothing. Scratched the plastic cover, and now we are no better off. Said his boss will come out tomorrow and if HE can't fix it, then they should foot the bill for the VW repair. Gah this is irritating.

If anyone has the assembly diagram for the Touareg wiper system, it would be greatly appreciated if you would contact me or post it for me. Thanks!

I'll try to post pics of the problem.

[McAndrewSMac]

as to the diagram, the best I can find is This but there is no way of knowing exactly what goes where.


^^ The nut and shaft on the left spins when you put a socket on it, the nut on the right won't tighten down all the way, but does try to spin when the wipers are on.

Please forgive for it being so large. It's so you can see better!



^^ Right side of Passenger wiper. Spins when wiper is turned on, but doesn't push the wiper. When we try to tighten it down, it pushes the driver wiper up, but won't tighten down all the way.



^^ Note how the cap does not seat correctly. Something is amiss here, I know.


And just for good measure, here's my baby:

[Yeti]

I say get it in writing that they will pay for the repair at a dealer and take it there. I think from the looks of it they did not put it back together right and now something is stripped. If I had to guess, the arm it's self may be stripped.

[V10]

Just drive to the dealership - they'll fix it in a couple of minutes...don't mess with companies that don't know what they are doing and mess it up even further. I would never have asked the guy who screwed it up to come back out to "fix" it. I would have taken it directly to the dealer had it fixed and passed an bill along if there was any...