VW T-Cross Wiper Failure: Switch vs Motor Issue Fix

Having some experience with VW repairs, I encountered a similar issue on my 2017 VW T-Roc. The symptoms were identical, complete wiper failure despite the wiper blades moving freely when checked manually. After initial diagnosis, the workshop found the wiring harness connecting to the wiper switch had corroded connection pins. The rain sensor was functioning correctly, but the signal wasnt reaching the wipers due to this connection issue. The repair involved cleaning the connector and replacing a section of the wiring harness. Total cost was 95€ and the repair took about 2 hours. Since then, the windshield wipers have worked flawlessly. Before suggesting specific solutions for your case, could you provide: Has the wiper switch shown any intermittent behavior before complete failure? Does the washer fluid pump still work when activated? Are there any other electrical issues in the steering column area? Have you noticed any moisture or water ingress around the wiper mechanism? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or points to a different problem.

Last service was done at 125000km and revealed no issues with the electrical systems. Yes, the wiper switch started acting up before complete failure, sometimes delayed response when switching between intermittent and continuous modes. The washer fluid pump still works perfectly. No other electrical issues noticed in the steering column area, and everything appears dry around the wiper mechanism. The rain sensor also seems to be working since the dashboard still shows the auto-wiper symbol when activated. Given these symptoms and your experience, it sounds like it could be a similar wiring harness issue. Will get it checked at the workshop this week. Did you need to replace the entire wiper switch assembly along with the wiring harness in your case? Just trying to anticipate potential costs.

Thanks for providing those additional details. Based on the symptoms you described, especially the delayed response between wiper modes before complete failure, it matches my T-Roc case exactly. In my repair, they did not need to replace the complete wiper switch assembly. The issue was isolated to the wiring harness connector where it meets the switch. The workshop cleaned the connection points and replaced only the damaged section of the harness near the steering column. The fact that your washer pump still works and the rain sensor communicates with the dashboard strongly suggests the wiper switch and its wiring are the culprits, rather than a more complex electrical issue. The gradual failure pattern is typical for connection problems, while motor failures tend to happen suddenly. A qualified workshop should be able to diagnose this quickly since the symptoms are clear. The repair cost might vary slightly from my 95€ case if they need to replace more of the wiring, but it should still be a straightforward fix. The turn signal and cruise control functions sharing the same area werent affected in my case, which also matches your situation. Make sure they check the connector pins thoroughly during the repair to prevent future corrosion issues.

Thanks for this detailed feedback. Your wiring harness repair case sounds very similar to what I'm experiencing. The delayed response of the wiper switch before total failure seems to be a telling sign. Will schedule the workshop visit tomorrow. Based on your experience, it is reassuring to know they might not need to replace the entire wiper switch assembly. The 95€ repair cost seems reasonable if they only need to fix the wiring harness connection near the steering column. Good point about checking the connector pins thoroughly. Will make sure to mention this specifically to prevent future issues. Since my cruise control and other steering column functions are working fine, this further confirms it might be isolated to the wiper circuit. Really appreciate you sharing your repair experience, helps a lot with knowing what to expect at the workshop. Will update once it's fixed in case others run into similar windshield wiper problems.