wipers only work if car is moving forward
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7
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2004 CLK-500 cab, 2012 Toyota Camry, 2007 Honda Shadow 750, 2004 Honda Reflex 250
All wiper speeds including intermittent work in D but not if the car is sending still, only if in forward motion. Don't go on at all in P or N
It's yet another quirk I have discovered.
It's yet another quirk I have discovered.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
I don't know of any connection between gear position and the wipers. There are some other things, though, that will stop the wipers. The hood being opened (or registering as open) is one. Maybe it's possible that the hood latch sensor is broken just enough so then when still, it registers as open, but forward movement closes it? It's located in the left (USA-driver's) side hood latch.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
Jim, your CLK500 should have a rain sensor. If for some reason it malfunctions, such as the wiring harness coming unplugged there behind the rear view mirror, it reverts to "intermittent" mode which is directly tied to vehicle speed. I wonder if that's what happened on yours?
Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 231
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From: Alexandria, VA
2005 CLK500
Jim, your CLK500 should have a rain sensor. If for some reason it malfunctions, such as the wiring harness coming unplugged there behind the rear view mirror, it reverts to "intermittent" mode which is directly tied to vehicle speed. I wonder if that's what happened on yours?
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From: Alexandria, VA
2005 CLK500
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Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
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From: PA
09 CLK550
I've noticed the wipers will not auto-activate if the driver-side door is open (in Park)
I think the car is trying to prevent the door from being splashed. If you change the wiper speed up to 'high' it will go. But not on Auto or low.
If you close the door, it activates immediately.
I think the car is trying to prevent the door from being splashed. If you change the wiper speed up to 'high' it will go. But not on Auto or low.
If you close the door, it activates immediately.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 699
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From: PA
09 CLK550
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2016
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2004 CLK-500 cab, 2012 Toyota Camry, 2007 Honda Shadow 750, 2004 Honda Reflex 250
Just following up on this, and problem solved for now. I was driving and my wipers were functioning, and continued to function when I put the car in neutral but then when I came to a stop at a traffic light they stopped. I think it was tied to the "your hood is open sensor". I would get that red warning on and off, although I had the wipers going when this warning would come up on the dash and they would keep working. Anyhow....I don't know if the hood sensor was seated properly or what, and I couldn't really tell if there was anything wrong, but I kind of jiggled it around a bit and reached underneath to push it upward and my wipers now function even when the car is standing still!! I also haven't gotten the "your hood is open" warning ever since the jiggle. I am now at peace with this car (purchased at the beginning of April 2016)....until the next thing.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 352
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From: Worcester, MA
15' CLS400
I've always had the same issue since I've own my car. As far as I can tell all sensors are working fine but if I stop for too long the wipers stop going until I start moving again. This only pertains to the 'autosensing' position. The only thing I can come up with is a bug in their autosensing software that takes speed in consideration and when speed is 0 it screws up ( / or * by 0 = ?) ... anyway, I've gotten used to it.
Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 231
Likes: 6
From: Alexandria, VA
2005 CLK500
I've always had the same issue since I've own my car. As far as I can tell all sensors are working fine but if I stop for too long the wipers stop going until I start moving again. This only pertains to the 'autosensing' position. The only thing I can come up with is a bug in their autosensing software that takes speed in consideration and when speed is 0 it screws up ( / or * by 0 = ?) ... anyway, I've gotten used to it.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 1
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2006 Mercedes Benz C280 4MATIC
I finally figured it out! For me my hood sensor was always on my dash which I didn’t pay much attention to at first but turns out it is the reason why your wipers won’t work while parked. If you push down on the latch that has the sensor while the hood is up it should #1 fix the sensor issue and #2 it will give you the ability to use your wipers while parked. This is what worked for me.
