I have a 2003 E500 and the wipers will not work when I start the car. Some time after (2-5 min) they will start working. What seems related to this is the red SRS light in the dash comes on about 30 seconds after I start the car. Most of the time when the red SRS light goes out the wipers will begin to work about 30 seconds after.

Occasionally the wipers will stop in mid wipe and stay that way for a while then start working again. When this happens the SRS light usually comes on and goes off.

I have replaced the turn signal stalk (combination switch) and the behavior has not changed.

I would be grateful for any ideas.

 

I had the same symptoms on another vehicle of mine, and it turned out to be a bad wiper motor. Had the motor replaced and problem gone.
T.