BMW E39 M5 Wipers stopped working/not working relay problem

[rfsteel]

Thanks Richard, managed to plug BMW Scanner into the car this morning and read the following errors;



Which cleared successfully;


Though on testing the wipers only high speed worked and the following error recorded;


Time to swap the wiper motor over.

[RichardM5]

rfsteel said:

Thanks Richard, managed to plug BMW Scanner into the car this morning and read the following errors;



Which cleared successfully;


Though on testing the wipers only high speed worked and the following error recorded;


Time to swap the wiper motor over.

It's not a difficult job actually. Main potential problems are getting the wiper arms of the splined shafts, the passenger side one in particular, a puller is essential, and over tightening the retaining nuts when reassembling. It is very easy to overtighten the nut and shear the stud. I used the specified torque and the stud still sheared off, which then requires a new mechanism, possibly the pervious person that did the job had overtightened it and I just finished it off.

[rfsteel]

Was able to pick up a used motor and linkage on ebay for £25 delivered last week.





I was able to swap the motors over with the wipers and scuttle panels still in situ, a pair of smaller hands would had made the job a breeze, with my sausage fingers it took me about 90 mins to swap the motor over, the main challenge was removing and refitting the 3 10mm bolts holding the motor to the linkage.

[Hereward]

When refitting the nearside cabin air filter housing on any E39 be sure to locate the housing so it slides UNDER the scuttle lip. Otherwise water will collect in the scuttle and corrode the wiper assembly.

[Pip1968]

I had this issue back in 2003/4 whlist bombing down the autobahn in the lashing rain. 'Fast lane' all going fine and then suddenly unable to see a lot. I pulled into the inside lane had a bit of a play with the stalk and then eventually shut the car down on the hard shoulder. After a few minutes of 'computer reset' I unlocked the car and jumped in and off I went. Wipers were fine.

I looked into the issue regarding the relay but never changed it or had the issue come up again. Personally I put it down to too much computing in a car.

Pip