Windshield Wiper Problem - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

Big Evil · 10-20-2011, 10:58 AM

My guess is you have a bad body control. It's one of the black boxes (I think the front one) in the electrical assembly under the rear seat. You'll need the part number off the box to purchase a new one, fortunately the older cars are plug n play, replace it with a good one and all that other stuff will more than likely start working again too.

**mpmrizzo** · 10-20-2011, 12:29 PM

Is it possible that there is just a bad connection on the body control? The last time the lights on my dashboard and all the power started working with everything was when someone was sitting in the back seat.. as a matter of fact they were getting up to get out of the car.

Big Evil · 10-20-2011, 12:31 PM

That's a possibility. But it sounds like the root of your problem is right in that area

**mpmrizzo** · 10-20-2011, 12:34 PM

Whats the easiest or only way to get under the back seat? I have never really tinkered with my old 323, but times are tough and i'd like to get to know the car better myself anyway.

Big Evil · 10-20-2011, 02:18 PM

usually a couple of spring clips under the front lip of the seat, then just rotate it up and pull it out.

**ktham** · 12-13-2011, 01:48 AM

wiper just stops and won't work until turn off and start car. Replaced wiper relay twice with used but symptoms same. Erratic sometimes on any setting, then just fail, clicking sound is normal but stops when it fails, thought was so sure was relay.

will play with wiring when it fails next and then guess look at the motor next even though motor seems strong on highest setting, seems more electrical.

any fix appreciated. Thx

Big Evil · 12-13-2011, 09:06 AM

Do the wipers always work when you set the selector to high? That's the default safety bypass. It bypasses the body control module so your wipers will still work if that module fails. If your wipers work that way, then the problem is in the control module.

**RunLevel0** · 01-03-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktham

wiper just stops and won't work until turn off and start car. Replaced wiper relay twice with used but symptoms same. Erratic sometimes on any setting, then just fail, clicking sound is normal but stops when it fails, thought was so sure was relay.

will play with wiring when it fails next and then guess look at the motor next even though motor seems strong on highest setting, seems more electrical.

any fix appreciated. Thx

I have the same problem with my 525i -01 e39. I'm really new to the car so I may have some noob questions.

The wipers work for some time, sometimes half an hour, then they stop working, in all positions. Can be really scary with heavy rain or snow. So I've stopped using the car now.
Usually when I stop the car and turn it on after a while they (the wipers) start to work again.
Sometimes I set the wiper control in "off" and then after some time, a few minutes, they are fine.

I'm not sure but to me, as I remember it, the washer also stopped working at the same time as when the wipers stopped working.

Where is the relay related to the wipers placed?

**koul7** · 01-03-2012, 10:47 AM

Hi all, i'm new to the forum. Got a similar problem today. Out of nowhere, 1st and 2nd scale of wipers is really stalling, while the 3rd scale works fine.

I thought e39 was a really reliable car. I have the car for six months, and it shows something every now and then.

Thanks in advance for answers.

**bimmerdad** · 04-27-2012, 01:42 PM

WOW, I started this post and was amazed to see that it's still going. I still haven't fixed my wiper problem. My solution was to just not drive it when it was going to rain. Sad, I know.

Well after reading, you guys have me motivated.

@Big Evil or anyone else, do you happen to know what the cost of a "Body Control Module" is? Is it something I can trust if I get one from the salvage yard?

Thanks

**koul7** · 04-28-2012, 03:11 PM

@bimmerdad, not driving when it's raining...It sucks right? I found how it feels to drive 200 km distance, in the rain, without wipers...Yes, it is possible, but don't try it...
I replaced my wipers relay (there are two of them in my car) it worked for couple months, but then i got the same problem. I guess the wiper motor is getting dead. Cheapest i found online is 55 euro, but still i cannot be sure about its condition, and whether i'll mget the same problem after a month or so...