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The car has been perfect for us and I even enjoyed washing it this past weekend, getting all of the brake dust off of the mimas wheels, then today, it unexpectedly rained. Just the way things go, huh?
On the way to work this morning, the car developed a very loud windshield wiper noise that gets even louder on high speed. The wipers were quiet before now. The sound is as if someone put the washer on spin cycle with a lop-sided load....back and forth, back and forth...it is intolerable. I know that I can take it to the dealer (and they might claim that this is normal or that they can't find the problem) but we are planning on leaving for a 450 mile trip day after tomorrow for the Thanksgiving holidays. Any suggestions as to what the problem might be and what the remedy is? If we can't get it fixed before our trip, I sure hope it doesn't rain during our trip, it would be hard to deal with this noise, hours on end.
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Current owner of a '04 V70 2.5T. Previous owner of a '94 850 Turbo Wagon
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posted by
someone claiming to be n0v8or
on
Tue Nov 25 01:41 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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A common, though not universal, problem on the S80 as well.
You did not specify if the noise is in the drive train or from chatter as the blades sweep across the glass. The latter problem is common on S80s (I had it during the first month of ownership) and appears to be caused by the Volvo windshield washer fluid, which damages the wiper blades. To eliminate this problem, buy new aftermarket wipers and blades (I used Trico, about $15 for each side), and flush out all of the Volvo washer fluid. Replace the fluid with any other brand. Clean the glass with a cleaner specially formulated for automotive exterior windows (not Windex). I use Clearvue, made by Turtle Wax.
If you bring the car to a dealer for service, be sure to emphasize that they under no circumstances are to add any washer fluid. Even a small amount seems to contaminate the rest, and the noise will return. I always ensure the reservior is completely full before service, so there is no room for them to add more.
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n0v8or, it is good to know about Volvo's own substandard windshield washer fluid, but I don't think that's my problem. It doesn't sound like the blades are scooting across the glass, like they are chattering or anything It sounds more like a mechanical problem, like the motor is about to give out. This car is less than 3 months old and has only been used in the rain a few times. Anyway, I have an appointment with the dealer in the morning. Hopefully they won't try to pass this problem off. Any new insights you can add about my specific problem, I'd appreciate. I've searched message boards high and low and find nothing that compares to what I'm describing.
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Current owner of a '04 V70 2.5T. Previous owner of a '94 850 Turbo Wagon
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posted by
someone claiming to be n0v8or
on
Tue Nov 25 07:45 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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The "flip-flop" noise you described, if it occurs at the end of the stroke (when wiper direction reverses), sounds like what I used to get once the blades became contaminated with whatever fluid they use at the Dealer. It is the sound of the blade flipping over because it is sticking to residue on the glass.
Here is a quick test. Wash the windshield, then place a dry rag under the entire length of each blade. This should reduce friction and allow the blades to glide more easily. If the noise still persists, it is probably in the mechanism. In that case, I would be concerned about somthing having become loose that may soon get worse.
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posted by
someone claiming to be n0v8or
on
Tue Nov 25 07:54 CST 2003 [ RELATED]
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Forgot to mention that, with my Dealer, the "normal" claim is reserved for the second visit to address a problem. The standard answer for the first visit has always been "we cound not reproduce the problem". Even when I asked them to look at a 6" long stress crack starting at the edge of the windshield, they wrote "cannot reproduce" on the service receipt.
I would buy a bottle of "Rain-X" and carry it with you on the trip. I don't recommend routine use because it leaves a haze that obscures vision, but in an emergency (if the wipers fail altogether), a fresh application will allow you to drive the car in the rain with reasonable visibility.
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Thanks for trying to be helpful here, but it is a mechanical problem. I bent the arms all the way back, like you do when you replace the blades, so there is absolutely no contact of the blades to the glass and then tried to run the wipers. They move like they are suppose to but with a terrible and loud groaning sound. They sound like wipers on an old worn out truck, if you know what I mean. The car is going to the dealer in the morning. I'll report back what they find.
Side note on the dealer...at first the service dept. said that they did not have a loaner car for me, but I then called the owner of the dealership and complained that my car was under warranty and they could do better than that, and so I now have a loaner. It was a hassle for them as I was told, all their "loaners are lent out." So...I don't think they will make me come back again with the first visit being a "could not reduce the problem" type response. If they do, I'll call the owner of the dealer again. I hate to call him behind the service manager's back because I would like to have a good relationship with the manager, but the owner is a friend of a friend who has some influence in the car market in my town and I'm sure the owner of the Volvo dealership doesn't want news of bad service getting back to my friend. Guess it's nice to have friends in high places, especially when it comes to the Volvo.
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Current owner of a '04 V70 2.5T. Previous owner of a '94 850 Turbo Wagon
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Well, I was wrong, at least about having to go back to the dealer again. LOL
The dealer called me at work and told me the car was done, so I left work to go pick it up. What was done was the inspection. The car needs a new windshield wiper motor, but they don't have the part in, so they've ordered it. It should be in next week. Another trip to the dealer for me before this issue is resolved. In the meantime we are still off to N.C. tomorrow. The dealer couldn't promise that the motor wouldn't give out on our trip but said it was unlikely. I'll buy a container of RainX and carry it with us just in case.
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Current owner of a '04 V70 2.5T. Previous owner of a '94 850 Turbo Wagon
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