VW Fox Wiper Failure: Common Issues and Solutions

I had a very similar issue with my 2006 VW Polo diesel last year. For someone with basic experience working on cars, this was quite straightforward to diagnose with help from my local workshop. The windshield wipers suddenly stopped working, similar to your case. The wiper motor was getting power, but the system remained unresponsive. After inspection, it turned out to be a damaged connection in the wiring harness near the wiper switch. The workshop found that water had gotten into the plug connection, causing corrosion. The repair involved cleaning the connectors and replacing a section of the wiring harness. Total cost was 95€, including labor. The rain sensor settings needed recalibration after the repair, but everything has worked perfectly since then. Could you share more details about your Fox? Specifically: Does the wiper system make any noise when activated? Have you noticed any water leaks around the windshield area? Are you getting any specific error codes? Did the problem start suddenly or gradually? This information would help determine if your issue is similar to what I experienced with my Polo.

Last service was in November at 80373km and yes, I can hear a faint clicking noise when activating the wiper switch. No signs of water damage around the windshield or steering column area. The issue started gradually, first intermittent function became unreliable, then complete failure within a week. Got error code P0516 which points to the wiper circuit. The turn signal and other steering column controls work perfectly fine. Checked the fuse box already, all fuses related to the wiper system appear intact. Based on your experience with the wiring harness issue, I will have the connections checked first. The gradual failure pattern does suggest it might be a deteriorating electrical connection rather than a complete wiper motor failure.

Thanks for those additional details. The symptoms you describe are indeed very similar to what I experienced with my Polo before the repair. That gradual failure pattern, starting with intermittent issues, matches exactly how my wiring harness problem manifested. The clicking sound is particularly telling, had the same in my case. It suggests the wiper motor is trying to respond, but the command signal isnt getting through properly. Since your turn signal and other controls work fine, this narrows down the issue to the wiper circuit specifically. The P0516 code also aligns with the wiring harness diagnosis. In my case, the connection deteriorated over time due to moisture exposure, even though there were no visible water leaks. The workshop found the issue by testing continuity at various points in the wiper switch circuit. Given the matching failure pattern and error code, I strongly suspect youre dealing with the same wiring harness issue rather than a faulty wiper motor. The repair should be relatively straightforward, though accessing some of the connections behind the steering column can be tricky. Would recommend having those connections checked and cleaned first before considering more expensive component replacements. The repair cost should be similar to what I paid unless they find additional issues.

Thanks for providing those insights about the wiring harness repair. Your experience matches my wipers problem perfectly. The clicking noise and gradual failure really do point toward the wiring connections being the culprit rather than a failed motor. After checking the cruise control and windshield wipers again today, I noticed the intermittent setting occasionally works for a split second when jiggling the wiper switch. This further confirms the likely connection issue behind the steering column that you mentioned. Will book it in next week to have the wiring harness connections checked and cleaned as you suggested. The 95€ repair cost seems reasonable compared to replacing the entire wiper motor. Will make sure they do a full inspection of all the connectors while they have access to that area. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, saved me from potentially spending more on unnecessary parts replacement. Will update once the repair is done to confirm if it was indeed the same wiring issue as your Polo.