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melissafox1

Audi S7 Wiper Switch Failure: Real Repair Costs Revealed

Wipers don't work properly

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Fault stored

Hey fellow car enthusiasts. Looking for advice on my 2012 Audi S7 (gas, 36666 km) which suddenly left me without working wipers. The error memory shows a fault code, and I suspect the wiper switch in the steering column might be faulty. Has anyone dealt with a similar issue? Specifically interested in repair costs and whether this is something that requires dealership expertise or if a regular mechanic can handle it. Had some questionable repair experiences lately, so trying to be better prepared this time.

4 comment(s)


gabrielflame1

Had the same problem on a 2015 Audi S5. The wiper switch failure started with intermittent function before complete failure. A thorough diagnostic revealed the wiring harness connection behind the steering column was corroded, affecting both the wiper blade control and turn signal operation. Regular mechanics can handle this repair if they have experience with Audi electrical systems. The job requires removing the steering wheel and carefully accessing the multifunction switch assembly. The critical part is properly disconnecting and reconnecting the wiring harness without damaging other components. The repair involves installing a new wiper switch assembly and ensuring all connections are properly sealed to prevent future corrosion. While not a major mechanical issue, it requires precise work due to the location and connection with other steering column controls like cruise control. This is typically a 2-3 hour job for an experienced technician. Worth checking if there are any technical service bulletins related to this issue for your specific model year, as some vehicles had known issues with the switch assembly.

melissafox1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience with the wiper switch repair. I had the exact same symptoms on my S7 last winter. The wiper motor would out of nowhere stop working, making driving in bad weather quite risky. My wiper blade system completely failed after about a week of intermittent issues. Reading your description of the steering column repair process is really helpful. Just curious, do you remember approximately how much you paid for the complete fix? Also, has everything been working properly since the repair, including the turn signal and other controls? Just want to make sure I budget correctly and check if any other related issues might pop up after the main repair.

gabrielflame1

Thanks for asking about the repair outcome. After visiting my mechanic, the wiper switch issue was completely resolved. The problem turned out to be a loose cable connection in the steering column, which they fixed for 95 Euro. The repair has been perfect, all functions including the turn signal and wiper blade controls are working flawlessly for over a year now. The mechanic mentioned these connection issues are fairly common, but once properly fixed, they rarely cause problems again. The wiper motor response is actually better than before, and the intermittent setting works exactly as it should. It ended up being a much simpler fix than initially expected, with no need to replace the entire switch assembly.

melissafox1 (Author)

Based on your feedback and findings, I ended up visiting my trusted mechanic last week. Much like your experience, the rain sensor and windshield wipers are now working perfectly. The total repair came to 120 Euro, which included cleaning the corroded connections and replacing one damaged wire in the steering column. The mechanic showed me the actual problem, a wire had worked loose over time and was making intermittent contact. They also checked the cruise control and other steering column functions while they were in there, all working great now. Really glad I asked here first instead of going straight to the dealership. Saved quite a bit of money and got exactly the same quality fix. No issues at all after a week of heavy rain, so feeling confident the repair will last.

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