[JWardell]

I have my car in for service for a number of small issues and mentioned that the wipers chatter. Right away the service guys said were my wipers on Auto? They were and he said there's a patch coming to fix that issue, for now, he suggested putting it on manual. We'll see if that is really the case.

I have seen reports of this elsewhere. Apparently a bug that the auto wipers turn on and off very rapidly so you will get a chatter. Must be brutal on the motors too. That was a while ago so I would hope it's fixed in the latest software.

Maybe we should go back to the old 90's method of three squares of plastic on the wipers for more pressure?

 

[Triangles]

I drove thru a pretty heft thunderstorm the day I got the car. I applied rainx shortly there after (beginning of June). I had a slight chatter a hand full of wipes the first time it rained after applying rainx when it was just sprinkling. I'm pretty sure it was the wipers sticking, then sliding, repeat, and not the wipers switching on and off quickly. I believe that was when I was on software version 2018.13.X. Now I am on software version 2018.21.9. I haven't driven much in rain since but I also haven't noticed any problems after that first rainstorm with rainx. I think this seems to be a case of Tesla releasing "beta" hardware and then trying to fix it with software. I've always used silicon rubber wipers as they last many times longer than natural rubber wipers. I plan to do the same with my TM3 when the time comes to replace them. Still awaiting the arrival of my $0.99 aquapel.

 

[plankeye]

My wipers are chattering on any of the intermittent settings or auto, and even setting 3. Pretty much only high speed (4) stops it. I think basically the blade (rails? I.e. top part of the blade) are too flexible and flex too much if the windshield is nice and squeeky-clean, causing the blade to "stick" to the windshield momentarily, then let go and catch up to the arm. This repeats several times across the windshield.

I think another issue is that the actual blade (the narrow piece that actually does the wiping) is too rigid, and isn't deflecting enough as the blade goes across the windshield.

Now, how to figure out what actually is to blame.

 

[Canuck42]

I've been using Rain-X® Windshield Washer Fluid for a couple of years now and have not seen any reason to change. It works as well as the single coats and is easy to reapply. They even have Rain-X De-Icer Winter Windshield Washer Fluid as we do get the winter weather up here.

 

[JWardell]

It's been mentioned in some of the firmware update threads, but it should be mentioned here:

The chattering wipers have be mostly fixed in firmware 28.1.

Tons of rain this week and only very very rarely do I catch a swipe with a stutter in it, perviously it was almost all of them.
OTA software updates are such a wonderful thing

 

[plankeye]

How is software fixing this? For my case, the only thing that "fixes" it is the wipers going faster, which probably leans the blade more, and just basically doesn't allow the blade to catch and release. I guess I'll have to wait for 28.x before I complain to the SC. I'm currently stuck on 26.3, no 28.x in sight.

 

[JWardell]

How is software fixing this? For my case, the only thing that "fixes" it is the wipers going faster, which probably leans the blade more, and just basically doesn't allow the blade to catch and release. I guess I'll have to wait for 28.x before I complain to the SC. I'm currently stuck on 26.3, no 28.x in sight.

It seems pretty clear to me they were attempting to slow down the swipe speed in software (not the delay between, but the actual speed of the motor), but either they were off by an order of magnitude on a PWM timer value, or it was picking new speeds several times a second and instantly changing motor speeds several times in a swipe...either way causing mechanical stuttering.

This was not the lighter jumping of the wiper due to aerodynamics and friction that can be helped by driving faster. Think of that but ten times worse.

It was extremely annoying and downright embarrassing with others in the car.
So I'm glad it is 99% fixed in 28.x, especially considering we are on a 4th day in a row of rain.

 

[garsh]

How is software fixing this?

The perplexing thing to me is, why does "auto wipers" chatter, while just turning the wipers on "low" does not? That suggests that the auto setting is performing some kind of step-control of the motor rather than just leaving it completely on for a full wipe. If that's the case, then they could fix that in software.

I really can't think of any other plausible reason why "auto" causes chatter while regular "on" does not.

 

[MelindaV]

to @plankeye's point, if it is flex in the wiper blade/arm, I came across a Model S wiper clip on thingiverse to eliminate chatter.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3044682
someone with the chatter, a 3d printer and the ability to design something similar for the 3 might want to give it a shot.

 

[plankeye]

OK, so I can see how 28.x might possibly solve some of the issue. But mine chatter even on speeds 1-3, with only high speed 4 stopping it. Although, even on 4, I can see in the streak left behind, that the blade is still catching/releasing just slightly. It's just for a much shorter span and many more times per cycle.

I've also been messing with various things to get my windshield clean, and I wonder if any of those chemicals are messing with the wipers. I used (I think) Seventh Generation glass cleaner on the outside and inside of the windshield, and that was a disaster. That stuff left a terrible residue that was almost impossible to remove. Don't ever use that stuff. We were out of Sprayway, so I used that instead, but never again. We have more Sprayway now, so I will try that on the inside and outside and see if that changes things any. I also sometimes use Chemical Guys ecosmart waterless wash & wax. But I have used that on our Prius C many times with no issue, so it shouldn't be that.

Well, I guess I have a reason to eagerly await 28.x (or whatever version i get next).

 

[Tombolian]

I just applied 3-year-old aquapel to Ginger's windshield (bought a 6-pack several years ago). 99% of my commute is California freeways so, in the unlikely event that it's raining, I'm driving fast enough that wipers aren't even necessary. Funny, I thought there were more Aquapel fans out there...

 

[Spiffywerks]

So is this the windshield wiper chatter people speak of? My car is 9 months old now, and we finally got some rain in so cal. I have not applied rain-x for at least 6 mo. Maybe time for a new application or new wiper blades?

 

[MelindaV]

So is this the windshield wiper chatter people speak of? My car is 9 months old now, and we finally got some rain in so cal. I have not applied rain-x for at least 6 mo. Maybe time for a new application or new wiper blades?

I have rain-x on my windsheild and have no wiper chatter like shown in your video

 

[Firewired]

A lot of detailers who do ceramic also seem to be using CS-II Clear Vue as a long term repellent for dirt on glass. The prices I have seen seem to range around $100 - 150 which is what the retail price of a bottle seems to cost. Anyone have any experience with this product?

 

[Spiffywerks]

I have rain-x on my windsheild and have no wiper chatter like shown in your video

Yeah, I'll try applying Rain-X again. I'm just wondering if this is the "Chatter' people had gotten without any coating.

 

[Madmolecule]

I applied Aquapel last week. I also used glass clay and lube. I tapped over the camera and sensor area. It worked well. Stunk like hell. I not sure if it will last 6 months but I will keep you updated. I almost bought it cheaper on amazon, but some of the reviews said they were fake because they didn't smell. I can assure you if if does not stink its not the real thing.

aquapel

 

[fsKotte]

My wipers are chattering on any of the intermittent settings or auto, and even setting 3. Pretty much only high speed (4) stops it. I think basically the blade (rails? I.e. top part of the blade) are too flexible and flex too much if the windshield is nice and squeeky-clean, causing the blade to "stick" to the windshield momentarily, then let go and catch up to the arm. This repeats several times across the windshield.

I think another issue is that the actual blade (the narrow piece that actually does the wiping) is too rigid, and isn't deflecting enough as the blade goes across the windshield.

Now, how to figure out what actually is to blame.

Later to the game here, in late November, but now that it actually has rained and I've actually used my wipers, the chatter/stutter is awful, rendering the wipers almost useless. The manual actually says to clean the blades with rubbing alcohol, and I did that. Still no improvement. Pretty much as you say, only the highest speed - (4) - stops the stuttering and it's smooth as silk. But that's not really a solution.

In the meantime, I'm reduced mostly to wiping manually via the left stalk button. Having to manually actuate every single wipe, in a $50,000 car, is ridiculous. It would be ridiculous in a $2,000 used car, too. They gotta fix this.

 

[fsKotte]

So is this the windshield wiper chatter people speak of? My car is 9 months old now, and we finally got some rain in so cal. I have not applied rain-x for at least 6 mo. Maybe time for a new application or new wiper blades?

Yes. Yes it is.

 

[scaots]

My wipers chattered some and became much worse. I had ceramic coating done including windshield. Still same chatter. Chatter even more when the windshield and blades are cleaner. I put on new wiper blades. No chatter since.

 

[Sandy]

I used the original RainX 5 months ago on all the exterior glass including the roof. Zero issues. I use the auto wipers around town and they work great. No noise or chatter. Wipers optional on the highway as the RainX does its thing.