C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Windshield wipers - weird behavior

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 04:43 AM
  #1  
Matej Paciga's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W204 C220 cdi
Windshield wipers - weird behavior

Hey guys,
I went through the forum and similar threads but haven't found any similarity yet.
So. my windshield wipers works flawlessly until they are not.
Normally, there are no issues with the wipers and majority of the time those are working well.
Then, from time to time (approx. two times a month), wipers are either slow and unable to finish the cycle (on any speed) or are making it only up to 1/4 of the screen and returning back.
One thing I've realized is that when the issue is occurring, wipers are not parking properly (it's like 2-3cm gap from full park position)

I did not strip it yet, just wanted to check with you guys whether there is a known pattern like motor issue or whatnot so i can order some parts before taking it apart.

Thanks!
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 08:10 AM
  #2  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
I wonder if there are fault codes for that.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 08:21 AM
  #3  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Well, it appears that there are six possible fault codes for the wiper motor. I recommend you get a Mercedes-specific scan tool and scan for codes. OR replace the motor. But everyone should have the proper scan tool.


Reply
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 08:25 AM
  #4  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Possible fault codes for the wiper motor:

B219816
B219817
B237904
B237948
B237971
U115300

In addition, there are a bunch of "Rain Sensor" codes that might affect the operation of the wipers. Get scanned!
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 11:09 AM
  #5  
TimC300's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Community Builder
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 1,135
From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
I researched a little into wiper issues since when I scanned my car there is a code for the wiper motor actuator. My wipers work fine so not sure what its even about.

Doesnt appear to be a common problem. Could be faulty motor, issue with the front sam, worn wiring, or broken linkage. I would just start taking things apart and visually look for anything out of place.

Heres a good article with photos on taking things apart: https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...eplacement.htm

Heres the code I had:


Reply
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 07:48 PM
  #6  
meazz1's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 63
From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
I had to replace my wiper motor in my C250 2013. It's not that bad of a job. There are step by step in Pelican site.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2024 | 09:12 PM
  #7  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Have you noticed that wiper don't work if the hood is open? I know they don't on my SL and believe they don't on my C-Class. If that is the case, then the switch that detects the hood being open or closed could also be malfunctioning, causing the wipers to stop and start.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2024 | 10:06 AM
  #8  
Matej Paciga's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W204 C220 cdi
Thanks for all the inputs guys.
It has been scanned in the past when this occurred for the first time and no relevant codes were shown.
Also, it has nothing to do with the hood, in case of hood open, the wipers doesn't work at all.

I will most probably have a look on the mechanism when the issue is occurring and motor operation to seek for any issues over there.
Since i posted, there were no issues with wipers ...
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 12, 2024 | 12:08 PM
  #9  
gamma300C's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
Smells a bit like an area of high resistance on the wiper motor windings or badly worn carbon brushes with intermittent poor contact...you live in area where wipers see a lot of use and your C220 has higher mileage ?

Last edited by gamma300C; Jun 12, 2024 at 12:10 PM.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2024 | 01:56 PM
  #10  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Matej Paciga
Thanks for all the inputs guys.
It has been scanned in the past when this occurred for the first time and no relevant codes were shown.
Also, it has nothing to do with the hood, in case of hood open, the wipers doesn't work at all.
So, you are driving in the rain and the road is a little bumpy. You have a bad contact switch. You hit a bump and the car thinks the hood is open and then closed. It could have everything to do with the hood switch.

Scanned in the past? What scanner was used?
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2024 | 04:03 PM
  #11  
gamma300C's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
The good news is your wiper problem is infrequent(2 times a month)......the bad news is your wiper problem is infrequent, as far as finding the cause(s) .Dx. The hood switch...hmmmm? Couldn't you "isolate" it...unplug the driver's side (LHD) 2 brown wire push connector right under the release cable insert and jumper wire the connector , confirm the wipers work with hood open and no error message, and leave her like that. The original description of how the wipers were "weird" seems to beg another cause.
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2024 | 04:53 AM
  #12  
Matej Paciga's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W204 C220 cdi
It's been scanned by Delphi and by iCarsoft MB as well
There were some codes but not relevant to wipers (I've been dealing with faulty injector that has been replaced so not really relevant here)

It's not the hood switch either - with that kind of malfunction, wipers either works fully or will not even start to do a thing.
In my case, when the issue is happening the wipers are either slow and able to finish the cycle or will be able to make it only up to 1/4th of the screen and will return back.
This is happening regardless of driving conditions (wet/dry or driving/stationary)

It's 2007 with 380k kms so some wear'n'tear is quite expected
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2024 | 08:56 AM
  #13  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Sounds like a motor problem, then. With that many miles and age, I wonder if the motor uses plastic parts that have become worn or broken.
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2024 | 11:48 AM
  #14  
gamma300C's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
If you dive into repair, mark the exact position, clips, where front of plastic cowl slips onto windshield. At your mileage, the rubber seals around the wiper posts may have split and Driver's side ( if LHD) post leak will wet the front SAM. I took advantage of cowl off to RTV coat these seals from the underside ....my DS post seal was split. No problems after 2 years.
Good luck
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2024 | 02:42 PM
  #15  
CaliBenzDriver's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 6,822
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
Originally Posted by Matej Paciga
Hey guys,
I went through the forum and similar threads but haven't found any similarity yet.
So. my windshield wipers works flawlessly until they are not.
Normally, there are no issues with the wipers and majority of the time those are working well.
Then, from time to time (approx. two times a month), wipers are either slow and unable to finish the cycle (on any speed) or are making it only up to 1/4 of the screen and returning back.
One thing I've realized is that when the issue is occurring, wipers are not parking properly (it's like 2-3cm gap from full park position)

I did not strip it yet, just wanted to check with you guys whether there is a known pattern like motor issue or whatnot so i can order some parts before taking it apart.

Thanks!
The fact wipers become extra slow before stopping is an interesting tip here.
It sounds like the wipers painted GND post serving the high amp load is acting up.
It's located nearby under plastic cowl.

Of course power relay and bad motor not out of question.

Positively testing intermittent problem is more challenging!
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2024 | 10:01 AM
  #16  
meazz1's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 428
Likes: 63
From: Auburn, GA
C250 2013
Like I mentioned, the wiper motor assembly was around $275 but that was more than 3 yrs ago. The job was pretty straight forward.
My wiper had died and it stopped working completely.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2024 | 11:10 AM
  #17  
Matej Paciga's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W204 C220 cdi
It has happened again, this time morning after the rain.
I'm starting with cheapest options here; was able to loosen all of the wiper arms with penetration oil and hammer and I'm getting second hand wiper linkage with motor included.
Either way, it would be most probably safest to replace linkage and motor at the same time.

Reply
Old Jun 17, 2024 | 11:37 AM
  #18  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
If you go down this path, make sure what you get is returnable. Otherwise, you may end up spending a lot more than necessary.
Reply
Old Jun 17, 2024 | 11:45 AM
  #19  
Matej Paciga's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W204 C220 cdi
Well, honestly there's nothing else besides the linkage and motor.
Car is not showing any other issues that could be related either to fuse box, SAM etc.
Let's see ...
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2024 | 10:33 AM
  #20  
Matej Paciga's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W204 C220 cdi
So, it's replaced and working
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2024 | 12:27 PM
  #21  
JettaRed's Avatar
Banned
Veteran: Army
5 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Great! Would that be the motor, motor and linkage, just linkage?
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2024 | 12:37 PM
  #22  
Matej Paciga's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
W204 C220 cdi
Whole thing
Seems the issue was with the motor itself (weak)
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 1 votes, 3.00 average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:23 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE