VW Arteon Wiper System Failure Despite Full Fluid

I had this exact issue with my 2018 VW Passat last winter. With some car repair experience, I found that refilling the wiper fluid wasnt the complete solution. The dashboard light persisted because the washer motor had failed, preventing the spray jets from working. Even with a full reservoir, no fluid reached the windshield when using the wiper stalk. The workshop diagnosed it as a faulty washer pump motor, which is a common failure point in these systems. They checked the wiring and confirmed the pump was dead. The repair was straightforward, they replaced the washer motor and cleared the error codes. Total cost was 25€ for parts and labor. Before suggesting specific fixes for your Arteon, could you share: Have you heard any buzzing sound when activating the washers? Are both front and rear washers affected? Did the problem start suddenly or gradually? Have you checked the spray jets for blockages? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with my Passat. The symptoms sound very similar, but knowing more about when and how the problem developed would be useful.

Current mileage: 38276km, Had latest service 2 months ago. Those are some great points about checking the washer pump motor. I can confirm I hear no buzzing sound when activating the windshield washer. Both front and rear stopped working simultaneously last week. The spray jets appear clear with no visible blockages. The issue happened suddenly during normal operation. One day the system worked fine, the next day nothing came out when pressing the stalk. This matches what you described with the failed pump motor. Has anyone else dealt with a sudden washer pump failure in the Arteon? I noticed the wiper fluid level sensor might also be faulty since the warning persists after filling the reservoir. Wondering if these issues could be related.

I also had both systems fail almost simultaneously in my Arteon. The warning light and pump failure happening together often points to an electrical issue affecting both components. After my experience, I recommend checking the fuse box first, there is usually a dedicated fuse for the windshield washer system. In my case, the fuse was intact, which led to confirming the pump motor failure, just like your symptoms suggest. The wiper fluid level sensor giving false readings is actually quite common in these models. While replacing my pump motor, I had the sensor replaced too since labor costs were already covered. The total repair came to around 120€ including both parts. Your symptoms, no buzzing sound, sudden complete failure, and persistent warning light, match my experience exactly. If you are comfortable with basic diagnostics, you can test the pump motor by applying 12V directly to verify if its dead. But given the mileage and age of your car, a preventive replacement of both components might be the most cost-effective solution. Based on my repair history, these washer system components typically last about 40000-50000km before issues develop, so the timing fits with your current mileage.

Great insights from everyone. I'll update on my Arteon situation: I took the car to a workshop today and they confirmed what was suggested, both the washer pump motor and fluid level sensor had failed. They found no wiring issues or blown fuses. The repair included: New washer pump motor installation, Replacement of faulty level sensor, System diagnostic check, Fresh washer fluid fill, Clearing stored warning light codes Total cost came to 135€ which seems reasonable given both parts needed replacement. The windshield cleaning system now works perfectly and the dashboard light is gone. This matches exactly what others experienced with their VWs. The sudden failure of both components around 38000km seems to be a common occurrence. For anyone else facing similar issues, checking the pump motor first when the washer fluid warning appears persistent is definitely worthwhile. Thanks for helping diagnose this, saved me time troubleshooting and gave me confidence discussing the repair with the workshop.