Wipers missing a patch on windscreen

[audi58]

I think that this might be a common problem for A3's.

The right wiper doesn't seem to be pushing hard enough against the windscreen and when wiping, it just misses a patch in the middle.

Has anyone found a fix to this? perhaps a way to make the spring tighter?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[audicruiser]

Sounds like you need a new wiper or it hasn't been clips on the arm correctly....

 

[audi58]

It is definitely clipped on properly.

I took it to a bloke at halfrauds today and he didn't think that replacing the wiper would make a difference.

I wipes fine when the car is stationary, but as soon as you go over about 10 mph it sort of smears it.

 

[Ads]

I used to have the same thing on my last A3. Changing the blades didn't stop it from happening. Think it is a common occurance.

Doesn't happen on my current A3 though.

 

[ste]

hi you need to replace the wiper arms, changing just the blades dosn,t cure the problem. a bit of advice; when you wash your car, try and clean it without pulling the wipers away from the windscreen as over time this stretches the springs in your wiper arms.

 

[lincoln_dj]

i've got same prob at min. was doing it when i bought the car 2 months ago. got them to replace the wipers. and came back in around 3/4 weeks - wiper arms was gunna be next move but they are a bit dearer than just new blades!

 

[Khufu]

I have noticed that the twin grill & single grill models have different style of wiper arms, maybe that the difference?

 

[audi58]

hi you need to replace the wiper arms, changing just the blades dosn,t cure the problem. a bit of advice; when you wash your car, try and clean it without pulling the wipers away from the windscreen as over time this stretches the springs in your wiper arms.

Oh okay thanks. Do you know where I can get the wiper arms from? I fear that the dealers will be expensive.

I have noticed that the twin grill & single grill models have different style of wiper arms, maybe that the difference?

Really? I have the single grill.

I think I might have to replace the wiper arms.

 

[drsilviuro]

Maybe there's a reason why they are doing this http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?95750-Rear-Aero-Wiper-Mod&highlight=wiper

 

[FranA3]

it sounds like the spring to me hasnt got enough pressure to hold the arm against the window

 

[audi58]

it sounds like the spring to me hasnt got enough pressure to hold the arm against the window

That's what I thought, although the chap at halfords seemed to think that they're designed to be pushed against the windscreen from the air resistance?

 

[FranA3]

That's what I thought, although the chap at halfords seemed to think that they're designed to be pushed against the windscreen from the air resistance?

if they are designed to be pushed against the windscreen with air resistance why would they have springs like all wipers have got sounds like the halfords guy is just taking a wild guess

 

[beanoir]

if they are designed to be pushed against the windscreen with air resistance why would they have springs like all wipers have got sounds like the halfords guy is just taking a wild guess

It's true, but you still need the springs or they'll flap around everywhere!

 

[lincoln_dj]

they are designed so that when driving fast the air pushes down rather than lifting up (same as wipers with a spoiler). shouldnt be a problem at low speed

 

[Autohag]

just had same problem on my 05 A3. After careful checking it appears that the wiper arm touches the wiper blade at a certain point on the wipe and this causes the lift of a part of the blade causing a smear. I found a gentle but firm pull on the arm close to the wiper motor pinion pulled the arm clear of the blade and also made a click like it was relocating itself. I will keep an eye on things and see if it's wear or unlucky

 

[mikeyc_123]

Hi All,

I have the same problem. I purchased new blades today (genuine parts) and the problem is still there (one small patch on the drivers side in line of sight) which is quite annoying. Did the tug on the wiper arm solve the problem or did you have to replace the wiper arm? Might give Audi a call on Monday to see if they know of the issue. One bonus is I have a spare set of blades now and they were only £25!!!

Thanks in advance


Mike

 

[red or dead]

Mine does the same, right in the middle too!

 

[mikeyc_123]

Mine does the same, right in the middle too!

Will let you know how I solve it. My wipers clear the windscreen on the sweep up but leave the patch on the way down. Its driving me mad!!

 

[mikeyc_123]

just had same problem on my 05 A3. After careful checking it appears that the wiper arm touches the wiper blade at a certain point on the wipe and this causes the lift of a part of the blade causing a smear. I found a gentle but firm pull on the arm close to the wiper motor pinion pulled the arm clear of the blade and also made a click like it was relocating itself. I will keep an eye on things and see if it's wear or unlucky

Did that solve your problem permanently or did you have a purchase a new wiper arm?

 

[Manni.singh]

I had the same problem on mine when I first got my car it would miss the middle part of the windscreen near the bottom, where the pivot point of the wiper arm is so u can pull up when washing the windscreen, I sprayed that part with some wd40 whilst pulling up and down (away and towards windscreen) solved my problem it's been 5 months and problem hasn't come back.

 

[mikeyc_123]

I had the same problem on mine when I first got my car it would miss the middle part of the windscreen near the bottom, where the pivot point of the wiper arm is so u can pull up when washing the windscreen, I sprayed that part with some wd40 whilst pulling up and down (away and towards windscreen) solved my problem it's been 5 months and problem hasn't come back.

Sorry mate I dont know what you mean to fix it.. do you mean you WD40'd the rubber on the wipers? I can see that there seems to be a weak point where the arm connects to the wiper.

 

[Manni.singh]

No just where it goes under the bonnet, where the pivot point is, when u lift the wiper away from the windscreen fully, at the bottom part of the arm near bonnet mate, sorry I'm not the best at describing things lol

 

[mikeyc_123]

Cheers mate.. will give that a go at some point this week. If its not that has to be the wiper arm.

Cheers

 

[mikeyc_123]

Well.. I am working in Birmingham this week and it was raining this morning all the way there.. it was quite frustrating having the area not clearing, but I just ignored it. On the way back tonight it will still raining and there was an accident on the M6 so I sat for an hour with the windscreen wipers on and it seems to just about have sorted the problem! My Audi has only done around 3000 miles this year as I have been working from home and it spends it time in locked away in the garage, so I am not sure if it had dried something out on the wiper arm?!? Anyway, I am there again tomorrow and the weather will probably be the same so tomorrow I will update!

 

[xanderxxx]

Use rainx on the screen makes a massive differance

 

[mikeyc_123]

Yeah got a load of rain-x on there but it seems to be getting better the more I use them.

 

[mikeyc_123]

Well as they were not used for a few days I decided to clean the windscreen with the windscreen wash, and I was back to square 1 with it.. still missing a large patch in line of sight.. i am going to put this down to the wiper arm and get it replaced.. cant be ***** with it being in line of sight any more as its too annoying when driving. Will update if it solves the problem.