Hello all,

I'm new to this forum and know next to nothing about cars so please bear with me and thanks in advance for any advice.

I have a 1999 E320 and last winter the wiper got overworked during a bad snow/slush storm. Ever since then, the wiper has worked but sometimes stops short of the driver side when wiping (up to a foot sometimes). I figured something was up but don't use the wiper all that much and forgot about it. I just went to get the car's safety inspection and he noticed and said it was unsafe to drive without so he could not pass inspection without fixing it. Bad news was, it would cost over $1100 to fix! My mechanic (local guy) said he would need to replace the wiper motor and wiper transmission?

I told him to hold off and I've done some research in the meantime as that seems like way too much money to fix a windshield wiper. I could not find a wiper transmission online (is he making this up?) and a wiper motor only costs around $225. In addition, from what I've read, if the motor was dead, the wiper wouldn't work at all. I also found this website describing pretty much my problem (http://202tech.mkosonen.com/howto/wiper.html) that says lubricating the wiper mechanism might do the trick. Any thoughts on this and/or what my mechanic is suggesting as a fix?

My mechanic has been pretty good to me but this seems a bit off. I was going to try and lubricate the wiper and then go from there. While the wiper doesn't work perfectly, it's certainly safe to drive (at least until it stops working).

 

With many cars the motor and transmission are sold as a unit. The W202 & W210 use a "mono-wiper" that has the motor and transmission as separate units.

The front wiper transmission can be purchased from

http://www.mbeugene.com/ou/eugene-me...ts_order_parts

List Price Discount Price
Front transmission, e320, e430 98-03 $610.00 $546.00

I would try the lube and if that doesn't work, replace the transmission since the motor is still working.

 

Thanks for the info. I just tried a bit of grease and it does work a bit better but I noticed something. It has problems and seems to get 'stuck' (doesn't make it all the way back to the driver side) and work harder when the windshield is dry. It now works perfectly if it is wet. When dry and struggling to work properly, the second I spray the wiper fluid, it works again perfectly.

Any other thoughts? Does it still sound like the transmission needs replacing? If so, can I be fairly sure the motor does not need to be replaced since the wiper does still work technically (hasn't died)?

Thanks again for all the information.

 

As an update, I took apart the plastic 'casing' around the wiper system and what happened is the wiper motor broke off from the entire wiper system frame (terminology might be incorrect here). I'm not sure whether or not either the wiper motor or transmission were still in tact but it only cost me $75 to purchase the entire wiper system from a salvage yard. It came ready to bolt in and I spent about an hour yesterday taking out the old one, putting in the new one and replacing the casing. It is now installed and works perfectly. Just an FYI for anybody that might have problems with their wiper.

 

are no longer a noob!Great job tackling a problem that was overpriced.Most of the jobs on these cars come way down in price if you get some tools,find the parts at the right price and dig in.
We commend you
Now get your obd2 scanner from harborfreight tools 94169 item and you won't go into sticker shock when the mechanic tells you you the codes indicate you need a mass air sensor to the tune of 500-880 installed and you do it for 127 bucks.
spark plugs 3bucks each times 12 and a morning labor for you will seem like a piece of cake since doing the wiper assembly.

 

Congratulations, job well done.

 

Thanks all. It really was an easy fix and I'm glad I did some research. I will certainly be lurking in the forums from now on, trying to find other things I can do myself.

 

I'm a new owner of MB C230, Just have problem with wiper . Motor runs but wiper doesn't move .

1. Can some one post a picture of wiper transmission ?
2. Is wiper transmission and wiper pivot assembly is the same one ?

 

repair as above did or slap in a new unit
http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...@Wiper%20Motor
ohlord

I would not use these guys,from the post several up from here . their parts are way over priced
http://www.mbeugene.com/ou/eugene-me...ts_order_parts