Windshield Wipers Intertwining and Locking
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Windshield Wipers Intertwining and Locking
Three times now I have attempted to start sweeping my windshield wipers, only to discover that they had intertwined when they settled from their previous use. It all happens rather quickly, but the blades can complete about 15-20% of their sweep before the intertwinement becomes obvious. As one would expect, the wipers then immediately lock up. So I have to turn off the wipers, pull over, untangle them, and then I can drive on my merry way.
I will be taking the car in for its 30k this Friday. I have already mentioned it to the service manager. He thinks it may be that "the wipers need recalibrating"; quite frankly, I am wondering if this is not as simple (read: stupid and inexcusable) as someone previously installing oversized (A6 or A8) blades on my A4.
Anyone else experience this? What was the diagnosis/ solution?
Thanks.
1999.5 A4 1.8TQMS, APR Stage I.
I will be taking the car in for its 30k this Friday. I have already mentioned it to the service manager. He thinks it may be that "the wipers need recalibrating"; quite frankly, I am wondering if this is not as simple (read: stupid and inexcusable) as someone previously installing oversized (A6 or A8) blades on my A4.
Anyone else experience this? What was the diagnosis/ solution?
Thanks.
1999.5 A4 1.8TQMS, APR Stage I.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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If you believe it...
This happened to me tonight, after reading and responding to your message. What are the odds? So I had to figure it out on my own, with the Bentley as my trusty assistant.
One of the nuts on the wiper arm had come loose, and thus the wiper stopped moving correctly. It tangled the other wiper and loosened the other nut too.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14421/wiper.jpg" BORDER="0">
Simple fix, no dealer visit required. You need a 13mm socket and (in theory) a torque wrench, or a normal ratchet. Also a flathead screwdriver.
Pop the hood, and use the screwdriver to remove the plastic covers from the wiper arm mount. They come off easily, there's a little lip underneath the dome that you can grab.
Loosen the 13mm retaining nuts (1). Realign the wiper arms (they should be resting about 1" up from the base of the windshield). Re-torque the retaining nuts to 12 lb-ft of torque (or thereabouts, just don't overdo it). Test your wipers, make sure they are sweeping the right area. Realign if necessary by repeating this process.
If you still have problems, you may have blades that are too long (unlikely, they would have to be huge) or your linkage is screwed and you'll need to realign it (more complex). Good luck.
One of the nuts on the wiper arm had come loose, and thus the wiper stopped moving correctly. It tangled the other wiper and loosened the other nut too.
<IMG SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/14421/wiper.jpg" BORDER="0">
Simple fix, no dealer visit required. You need a 13mm socket and (in theory) a torque wrench, or a normal ratchet. Also a flathead screwdriver.
Pop the hood, and use the screwdriver to remove the plastic covers from the wiper arm mount. They come off easily, there's a little lip underneath the dome that you can grab.
Loosen the 13mm retaining nuts (1). Realign the wiper arms (they should be resting about 1" up from the base of the windshield). Re-torque the retaining nuts to 12 lb-ft of torque (or thereabouts, just don't overdo it). Test your wipers, make sure they are sweeping the right area. Realign if necessary by repeating this process.
If you still have problems, you may have blades that are too long (unlikely, they would have to be huge) or your linkage is screwed and you'll need to realign it (more complex). Good luck.
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