When I turn on the wiper for the first time it will wipe all the way to the passenger side, and then stop at the base of the windshield for one to two seconds before continuing back to the driver's side. It only does this after the wiper hasn't been used for more than a day. If I stop the car and go back to use the wipers a few hours later it doesn't stop during the first wipe. The wiper operation is otherwise smooth and quiet. Any ideas as to why it does this?

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1989 300CE

Lack of lubrication in the gearing.

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
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190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

You need to do something like this (borrowed from an older posting):

Per your advice, I removed the small cover and the wiper arm. I then positioned the wiper in the vertical position and pulled the shaft to its extended position and lubricated it with a couple of drops of 3-in-1 oil and moved it up and down. Magic! All hesitation in the wiping action is gone.

Easy and effective.