Skipping Wipers
 

I've searched across many C Class forums and I want to narrow my focus a little bit...I'm having some severe wiper issues. I noticed the wipers skipping (mainly the driver's side) prior to a trip to Dallas this last weekend. So, I thoroughly cleaned the windshield with soap and water, plus Stoner's Glass cleaner and buffed it with a microfiber. I also used that Stoners Glass Cleaner to wipe down the wiper blades themselves.

On the way to Dallas it was raining quite hard, and I could not run my wipers in automatic mode, they were terrible; getting stuck up top, chattering on the way down - overall doing a very poor job removing water from the windshield.

So when I got back, I cleaned the windshield and wipers again (the wipers look OK in terms of wear) but took it a step further and polished with 3M glass polish and my PC XP, then applied McKee's 37 glass coating to it. Water beads right up.

Now it's raining again, and I'm still having the same issues. What. the. heck. is going on? I've got nothing left in my toolbox to try, short of replacing wiper blades. I have an appointment with the dealer now, and they seemed to think the motors typically are a culprit (confirmed wiper blades were replaced in December). Based on previous searches for other C Class cars, the general population either A) Has no issues whatsoever or B) Experiences the same horrible performance I do and seemingly they fixed it by replacing the windshield. I don't know why replacing the windshield would be needed when you can just clean away anything that's on it.

Does anyone have thoughts on this?

Your wiper arms are out of adjustment. Buy a set of wiper arm tools from MB and enjoy life!!

Like this - ?

The car was 8 times at two different dealerships. They replaced wipers, wiper arms, motors, polished the windshield and still no luck..
Right now I'm asking MBUSA to buy the car back...

Yep, pretty much.

As others said it is common and MB will check arm angle with gauge and replace wipers if youcomplain but it does not help. I have used glass wax and it helps some. Glad I live in the desert so I don't get rain much.

My car had 8 repairs at 2 different dealerships. There's no fix, unfortunately

The windshield cleaning procedure done as per the bulletin for this will work, but it has to be done properly. The aggressive cleaner used will strip most contaminants and waxes off, and if the glass is actually clean the wipers should run smoothly. FWIW the bulletin says that water 'should not bead' on the windshield. So the more products you apply, the worse it gets.

The issue is the crappy wipers MB is using, but there's not often a good alternative, so you have to ensure the glass is very clean. Every one I've cleaned hasn't come back, but it's a bit of work to do it right.

Yes. I will try to post the bulletin. I am out for training until friday, so if I can't get it from my home PC it might be a bit. Let me see what I can get, hold on.

Actually can get in to TIPS from home, and it's faster than the computers at work lol.

Look at remedy C, the intensive cleaner it refers to is what you need. There is a WIS document that describes the process, those I can't download. But basically, you clean the car with glass cleaner first, then apply the intensive cleaner like a wax, put on heavy, let dry, buff off. If there's heavy deposits, it may take multiple applications, you will see it when applying it in my experience.

Usually this is caused by a very slight mis-adjustment of the wiper blade angle as it relates to the windshield. The arm(s) need to be twisted into the correct angle.

There is a special tool for it. :)

Thanks

Dave

I tried 2 different OEM sets but not any non OEM yet.
The only thing that works for me is glass wax and only for a while them it starts skipping again.
They tried the gauge to see that the angle was correct but it looks like MB just engineered a bad design and have not fixed it after 4 years. WTF MB

Funny I noticed the wipers were skipping on my Coupe earlier today when it started to sprinkle a little bit. I figured it was because it was a small sprinkle and the windshield was still pretty dry. Also probably doesn't help that it's been covered in dead bugs and grime for over a month.