BMW Z3 Wiper System Failed: Troubleshooting Help Needed

Hey there! I have some experience working on cars and faced something very similar with my 2004 BMW Z4 last year. I understand your frustration! My wipers also completely stopped working, both speeds and the auto function. Turned out it was a loose connection in the wiring harness near the wiper motor plug. My mechanic found the issue pretty quickly and fixed the damaged cables and connectors. The whole repair cost me around 95 Euro, and the wipers have worked perfectly since then. Could you share more details about the error code you're getting? Also, do you hear any noise when you try to activate the wipers? This info would help me better understand if you're dealing with the same issue I had. BTW, my has a 2002 BMW M3 and apparently this isn't uncommon in BMWs from that era. Hope this helps!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm having the exact same problem, no noise at all when trying to activate them. I've had mine serviced regularly (last one was at 85612 KM) and this is the first major electrical issue I've faced. The error code I'm getting is P0411, but I'm not entirely sure if that's related to the wiper problem. I'll definitely have my mechanic check the wiring harness connection. It's good to know it might not be as expensive as I feared! Did your mechanic mention if this is something that needs regular maintenance to prevent future issues?

Hey again! Thanks for providing those extra details. Yeah, when I had my Z4 fixed, I was also worried it would be something major, but the wiring issue turned out to be pretty straightforward. That P0411 code is actually related to the secondary air injection system and isn't connected to your wiper problem. When my wipers failed, I remember getting a different code, something specific to the wiper system module. Since you mentioned there's no noise at all, it does sound very similar to what I experienced. My mechanic did say that these wiring issues can develop over time due to normal wear and tear, especially in these older BMW models. He recommended checking the wiring connections during regular service, but it's not something that needs constant attention. One thing I forgot to mention in my first reply, before taking it to the mechanic, I tried checking the fuse box, but everything was fine there. Given that both your manual and auto functions are dead with no noise, I'm still betting it's the same wiring harness issue I had. Keep me posted on what your mechanic finds! These older BMWs are great cars but they do have their quirks, especially with the electronics.

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! I really appreciate you taking the time to explain everything. I just checked my fuse box too and everything looks good there, so I'm feeling more confident it's probably that wiring harness issue you mentioned. I've scheduled an appointment with my mechanic for next week. It's actually a relief to know it might not be a major repair, I was worried I'd have to replace the entire wiper system! I'll definitely ask them to check the connections during future services too, that's a great tip. Funny how these BMWs from our era seem to share the same quirks! I'll update this thread once I get it sorted out. Thanks again for your help, it's great to get advice from someone who's dealt with the same problem!