Windshield Wiper issues - United Bimmer Community

**billycuth** · 12-30-2005, 11:14 AM

So I am driving on the PA turnpike last night in a nice driving rain, when all of a sudden, my wipers start acting funny. At first, the start doing a pattern of 3 quick wipes, then stay off for a few seconds then another 3 quick wipes. Then they stop completely for a couple minutes... Meanwhile, I am doing like 75-80 trying to keep up with traffic (

) with no windshield wipers and its starting to get hard to see (my rain X hasn't ben re-applied in a while)... So then I make it to the toll booth and they kick on again, working fine for a little, then doing the same 3 quick swipe/off pattern again... Then they stop again for a long time. I get gasoline and when I turn the car back on, they work fine, but then eventually stop again before I get home...

My question is, is it the motor or the computer? When they would go off, moving the position of the steering wheel stick did not affect them. They still did not work.

Any suggestions, or others that have experienced this?

**c1apton** · 12-30-2005, 11:41 AM

Either the wiper relay is loose or going bad. Sometimes when they're going bad - they heat up and lose contact, when they cool off works fine again. Check the wiper relay & fuses.

**billycuth** · 12-30-2005, 12:39 PM

you know, my car has been telling me to check the coolant lever for some time now... but when I check it (cold) it is at the fill line.... could the engine temp be affecting it? My guages never leave the straight up position after the car warms up though...

**c1apton** · 12-30-2005, 12:45 PM

Your coolant level wouldn't have anything to do w/wipers. The check coolant issue is probably a bad or sticky sensor in radiator. (they're notorious for that) but the wiper issue sounds like it's an electrical/connection problem. I'ld check fuses & relay

**billycuth** · 12-30-2005, 01:06 PM

will do... thanks...

if its the relay, anyone know of a good place to pick one up at?

**billycuth** · 01-20-2006, 08:58 AM

still having issues folks. Can anyone tell me, if they have a manual that gives this kind of info, where the relay might be located, and what a replacement would look like?

it sure would be nice to have wipers in the rain again!

Storamin · 01-20-2006, 09:05 AM

The Bently manual might. Of all the manuals that are easy to get ahold of, that's probaly your best bet.

**c1apton** · 01-20-2006, 09:16 AM

Check out - www.RealOEM.com - have your production date handy, they give great schematics and can usually provide location data

**billycuth** · 01-20-2006, 09:27 AM

thanks c1. looks like it could be a control module which runs about $85. or it could just be a switch. tough to say. i'll have to try to dig up a bently manual or maybe someone else here has on and can help me out.

thanks again...

**Spieluhr** · 01-20-2006, 02:32 PM

check out autohausaz as well, they always have good prices, and if you need anything else, get it all at once and get free shipping

**kandasx301** · 10-09-2008, 11:16 AM

hey guys i have a similar problem my wipers only work on high and non of the other settings i checked the relays and I`m 90 % sure its not them i dont know were to check for the chip any ideas would be appreciated