TwoPedal

I recently encountered the common wiper parking problem and as hoping it was just the relay. As it turns out, the hall sensor in the wiper motor has failed requiring quite an expensive repair. $1,200 parts & labor for the updated BMW part. The update doesn't come with a reason (big surprise) and I am curious about its effectiveness. I was told that the wiper could eventually start parking anywhere on the windshield, which is why I am considering the repair. It seems like silly money for windshield wipers and this quote is from my indie shop.

So my questions for my fellow failed wiper victims:

-Did you update or make do with the parking problem?

-Was your estimate in this ballpark (for the new motor)?

-Has your updated motor repeated the same failure type?

The theory is water ingress fried the sensor, which is strike two against BMW in terms of building cars that have watertight components...

Lotus99

Did you see this?

https://5series.net/forums/e61-touri...-wiper-137303/

Luckily, mine fixed itself after a week or two.

TwoPedal

I did not see that post. An interesting read, thank you for posting. If the front wiper motors are easy to access, it would be worth a look at the connectors. I was told something interesting about the wipers. Apparently, they can increase their amperage when they encounter something heavy like snow, and push harder than when dealing with just rain.

If the sensor really is a Hall effect sensor, the failure and replacement price are pure irony. This type of sensor is more reliable, cheaper, and immune from severe weather...that is unless BMW couldn't be bothered to make a quality sealed package for it.

No such luck on mine fixing themselves. On occasion, they will stop normally and sometimes even re-park but that is rare and I imagine it will just get worse.