i have cleaned the mechanism, but they still don't work perfectly. Sometimes if i use the stalk to activate the wipers they don't move, if i select high speed there is never a problem, just all the other options.

Any idea what the problem might be?

Possible switch fault? or maybe the motor.

I had this problem with my Astra. The fault was the wiper motor. I replaced it which sorted the problem. I would recommend trying a scrap dealer for a decent 2nd hand one.

thanks, not what i wanted to hear, but at least it gives me somewhere to start. Any idea if the motor is common across Golf IV cars or does it have to be from an Octavia?

Edited 1 February, 201016 yr by mrmo

before i start trawling ebay for a linkage/motor two questions.

The linkage had started to sieze and as a result i stripped and cleaned it, it had started to play up before i stripped it and is alot better now, not perfect but works most times. Prior to the strip down i had to put the wiper onto fast setting to get it to work and could slow it down the majority of times i used the wipers. Would the extra load on the motor caused it to start to fail or is it coincidence. If it isn't the motor but is the switch where do i start fixing?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SKODA-OCTAVIA-WIPER-MOTOR-FRONT-NEW_W0QQitemZ170426352852QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item27ae33c4d4

could someone confirm if this is the right part for a '99 TDi?

looks good to me, why not ring them and give them the chassis no like they suggest?, there are a couple of different plugs so i would make certain.. cheap tho

this isnt the one i come up with? a 99 octavia has part number 1C0 955 119 should be a 5 pin plug