Windscreen wipers and washers (VW Golf 1)

Windscreen wipers - troubleshooting

1. If the windshield wiper motor does not work, rotates jerkily or slowly, check the reliability of the connections, the condition of the electric motor brushes, the ease of movement of the lever mechanism, the general condition of the motor and the switch on the gear column.



2. If the brushes do not return to their original parking position when the windshield wiper is turned off, it may be due to incorrect installation of the motor crank, damage (breakage) of the wire connected to contact 53 of the electric motor, or a lack of connection between contacts 53 and 31.

3. If the wiper motor continues to operate even though the switch is turned off, replace the switch.

4. If the motor runs noisily or slowly, the gearbox housing may be incorrectly seated, there is no lubrication, or it may be heavily worn - in any case, the motor must be replaced.

Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement - Dual Blade System (figure P:16).



(The information is posted on this resource: VWMANUAL)



1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery.

2. Press the plastic cap off the windshield wiper arm mounting nut, unscrew the nut and remove the arm.

3. Disconnect the electrical wire connector from the electric motor.

4. Remove the bolt that secures the windshield wiper frame and motor to the bracket on the engine compartment bulkhead (figure P:17).



5. Separate the motor from the wiper frame by removing the two bolts.

6. Check the condition and reliability of the fastening of the levers and pins of the windshield wiper mechanism; replace worn parts if necessary.

7. If the motor does not require replacement, the crank should not be removed from the motor shaft.


8. Before installing the new wiper motor, connect the battery, connect the wires to the electric motor (connect the connector) and turn it on with the windshield wiper switch on the steering column. Let the motor make at least two complete cycles and turn it off. The motor should stop in the original, parked position. Set the crank as shown in Figure P:18.



9. Install the windshield wiper in reverse order.

Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement - Single Blade System

Scirocco models are equipped with a single-blade windscreen wiper.

1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery.

2. Disconnect the wire connector from the electric motor.

3. Remove the three screws that secure the motor to the bracket.

4 Remove the wiper motor.

5. Reassemble in reverse order. Install the motor on the bracket and connect the wiring and turn on the wiper switch before attaching the crank to the motor. Let the motor complete at least two full cycles, then turn it off. The motor should stop in its original, parked position. Install the crank as shown in Figure P:19.

NOTE: Before assembly, lubricate the friction units of the mechanism with molybdenum grease.

Rear Wiper Motor - Replacement

1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery.

2. Remove the inner trim of the tailgate.

3. Remove the wiper arm and mounting nuts together with the washers and gasket.

4. Remove the windshield wiper mounting bolts, pull the motor forward and disconnect the wire connector. Remove the motor from the tailgate.

5. Install the rear wiper motor in reverse order. Before attaching the crank, install the motor on the bracket, connect the wire connector to it, turn on the motor and let it make at least two complete cycles. The crank should stop in the position shown in Figure P:20.

Windscreen wiper mechanism - replacement

1. Disconnect the ground wire from the battery.

2. Remove the wiper arms (see above).

3. Remove the cover that closes the compartment behind the partition, unscrew the bolts securing the windshield wiper bracket, disconnect the electrical wire connector from the electric motor and remove the windshield wiper (motor and lever mechanism) in assembly.

4. Disconnect the rods from the cranks and unscrew the motor mounting nuts.

5. Separate the motor with the bracket from the windshield wiper mechanism.

6. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

Windscreen washers

Early models were equipped with a manual windshield washer pump. Such pumps rarely fail and are subject to replacement if they do.

Later models are equipped with washer reservoirs with built-in pumps (figure P:21). If the pump does not work, check for voltage at the positive pump lead with the ignition on and the wiper/washer switch in the appropriate position. Also check for proper ground connection at the negative pump lead. If the electrical circuit is OK, replace the pump.



To remove the pump, disconnect the wire connector and the windshield washer tube from it, then release the upper part of the pump from the reservoir and lift the pump upwards, making sure that the pump seal is correctly positioned in the opening of the reservoir. Install the pump in the reverse order. Fill the reservoir and check the adjustment of the washer nozzles.