My rear wiper on my audi a3 has decided to play up. When i activate the rear wiper it operates fine and then decides to get stuck and once i flick the wiper indicator arm it starts operating again? I've also noticed the rear wiper will come on when its off? Any ideas on what can be causing this?
Rear wiper gone crazy!!
- Thread starter k9audi
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S3RYE
Interior Next!!
Water has got into the wiper motor switch mechanism. This is due to a washer leak at some time and cannot be repaired ( I tried !! ).
Only answer is a new wiper motor and be careful - do not just go for one on ebay that says it will fit A3 because although some will fit, others have a washer nozzle that does not revolve with the wiper blade. This is for the Mk4 Golf and will not work with the A3.
I got my local friendly VAG specialist to get the right one and paid £82. Fitting is dead easy.
Only answer is a new wiper motor and be careful - do not just go for one on ebay that says it will fit A3 because although some will fit, others have a washer nozzle that does not revolve with the wiper blade. This is for the Mk4 Golf and will not work with the A3.
I got my local friendly VAG specialist to get the right one and paid £82. Fitting is dead easy.
omg i think i might have got to the problem too late 
. I noticed the boot light came on to show boot open and it wasn't? Last night the alarm decided to randomly come on, off on off so i decided to remove the boot cover and found signs of water and decided to remove the rear motor but i can seem to remove the wiper arm?. I've remove the 3 bolts from the motor and the bolt & nozzle from the wiper arm, any ideas how i can remove wiper motor, does it just pull off?
. I noticed the boot light came on to show boot open and it wasn't? Last night the alarm decided to randomly come on, off on off so i decided to remove the boot cover and found signs of water and decided to remove the rear motor but i can seem to remove the wiper arm?. I've remove the 3 bolts from the motor and the bolt & nozzle from the wiper arm, any ideas how i can remove wiper motor, does it just pull off?
S3RYE
Interior Next!!
omg i think i might have got to the problem too late
WD-40 it, leave it for a bit then yank it! or so ive heard!
It will come off but as said, WD40 for a while and then gently work it backwards and forwards and side to side and it should free itself.
The boot light and alarm problems are all associated with water in the lock microswitch which will need to be dried out ( hairdryer ! ) I took the lock off and took it apart to get to the switch but that is probably not necessary.
Main thing is you need to identify the cause of the leak and rectify that before the winter. Those push-on connectors do not work properly once they have been split and I used a tie wrap to secure the washer pipe. Make sure the pipe does not leak anywhere else on its' route from the washer bottle and importantly ensure that you have at least 50/50 washer fluid to water mix to stop it freezing. That's what causes the leakage when the pipe pops off due to being frozen.
The boot light and alarm problems are all associated with water in the lock microswitch which will need to be dried out ( hairdryer ! ) I took the lock off and took it apart to get to the switch but that is probably not necessary.
Main thing is you need to identify the cause of the leak and rectify that before the winter. Those push-on connectors do not work properly once they have been split and I used a tie wrap to secure the washer pipe. Make sure the pipe does not leak anywhere else on its' route from the washer bottle and importantly ensure that you have at least 50/50 washer fluid to water mix to stop it freezing. That's what causes the leakage when the pipe pops off due to being frozen.
Cheers mike i'll give that a try...
Any recommendations on where i can get the wiper motor cheaper than the main stealers?
Any recommendations on where i can get the wiper motor cheaper than the main stealers?
Only thing I can suggest is you go to a VAG independent and ask them. They may get one for you or tell you who supplies them. Problem is you may have to have an account to buy it !
Either way you should expect to pay £80 - £100. Many of the ones on ebay that are cheaper will not be suitable even though they say they are !!
Either way you should expect to pay £80 - £100. Many of the ones on ebay that are cheaper will not be suitable even though they say they are !!
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when i first got my A3 (private sale) i noticed the rear wiper was sitting on the wrong side of the rear screen so it was one of the first things i changed on it, i used it to haggle the price down 
the car was a state when i first saw it...
when i tried to take off the rear wiper it wouldnt budge and i had to resist wacking it with a hammer as i knew i would shatter the rear screen but like others have said i used WD40 and lots of elbow grease and wiggled and pulled the damn thing off... the motor had seized but i managed to get a replacement one from ebay for about £60, almost 2 years now and no issues since
the car was a state when i first saw it...
when i tried to take off the rear wiper it wouldnt budge and i had to resist wacking it with a hammer as i knew i would shatter the rear screen but like others have said i used WD40 and lots of elbow grease and wiggled and pulled the damn thing off... the motor had seized but i managed to get a replacement one from ebay for about £60, almost 2 years now and no issues since
I've been wiggling the damn thing side to side with wd40 and it doesn't seem to pop off. I did notice it feels abit loose so i'll keep trying. Do i have to remove the rubber gromet or do i leave that where it is?
Grommet stays. If you spray wd into the nut recess until it actually fills up and half submerges the nut you can leave it overnight, this helped get mine off no end.
monster_munch
Registered User
Ive got the rest of the week off work and decided tomorrow Im going to have a look in my motor, make sure its not gunged up, then stick a tie wrap round the fluid pipe into the motor to keep it secure.
Anyone got any info or pics on how to remove the tailgate trim to get access to the motor?
Anyone got any info or pics on how to remove the tailgate trim to get access to the motor?
monster_munch
Registered User
Ive done a search mike, Ive just read 3 different threads, one of which where you told someone else with the same problem to do a search. In none of the oher threads is there any pictures or detailed info how to remove the tailgate trim, there is also nothing about it in my Haynes manual !
Sorry mate - pictures are not necessary ! You don't say if your car is a sportback or not but mine is and this is what I do.
Remove the two torx screws ; remove the two plastic covers that allow access to the rear lights ; place fingers in hole on one side and jerk downward very firmly.
Do the same on the other side.
The trim WILL come off but you have to be seriously tough with it.
The problem is that most people are frightened to do it hard enough in case they break something ! The whole thing is fixed with about 6 spring clips, apart from the two screws, and it is possible that a few bits of plastic may break.
Don't worry, everything can b e replaced !!
Remove the two torx screws ; remove the two plastic covers that allow access to the rear lights ; place fingers in hole on one side and jerk downward very firmly.
Do the same on the other side.
The trim WILL come off but you have to be seriously tough with it.
The problem is that most people are frightened to do it hard enough in case they break something ! The whole thing is fixed with about 6 spring clips, apart from the two screws, and it is possible that a few bits of plastic may break.
Don't worry, everything can b e replaced !!
monster_munch
Registered User
Cheers for the info Mike, whilst searching google Ive found a useful pdf of an audi workshop manual that says how to remove it aswell.
I have a 3 door, will give it a good go tomorrow.
Normally I wouldnt worry about such things, but I read on one of the threads that someone had to have their £500 bose amplifier replaced because of leaking fluid, so better safe than sorry!
I have a 3 door, will give it a good go tomorrow.
Normally I wouldnt worry about such things, but I read on one of the threads that someone had to have their £500 bose amplifier replaced because of leaking fluid, so better safe than sorry!
