Rear Wiper not working

[newsh]

This could explain why the boot light stopped working too

So, inside the car, just remove the side trim?

I've got a spare tailgate here, I'll have a look at that, I seem to remember the loom is there and taped to the window..

[Mikes2]

Remove spare wheel and side panel - there's a large white round multi plug which you need to disconnect. Wiring runs down the C pillar. There will be a sound deadening pad in there as well.

[Christophski]

Did washer work and wiper not work??

Nothing worked initially with mine I'm afraid which is where it differs from your situation.

[Ian Simmonds]

Reading this has spurred me into revisting the same issue (no wiper, but screen wash okay) A while ago the tailgate electrics all went potty, so, as others have posted, I found the loom at the tailgate hinge completely in tatters. I lovingly resoldered them and everything was fine except no rear wiper. Reading John say about 239 relay clicking, I've dug the little blighter out and it continously clicks for several seconds at each attempt, so I took the cover off 239 and its got signs of overheating... At least I know I need "239", even if it doesn't help you John. Sorry....

[newsh]

Rear Wiper not working

Went on S2 Central and checked the current flow, fuses for washer and wiper are separate.
Fuse 18 is the wiper so I pulled this and checked it, gave it a wipe and plugged it back in.
Pulled the tailgate trim to check power to the motor, gave the connector a wiggle. Ignition on and gave the stalk a push and the wiper now works! I've massaged the loom in the rubber boot and it still works.
So I'm thinking 3 possibilities
1/Fuse was loose or corrosion in fuse holder.
2/Wiring plug to motor corrosion on pins, they looked good but they always do..
3/ Wiring damaged in tail gate boot and it will go wrong again, although try as I might I couldn't make the wiper stop by wiggling the wires.
4/Moisture in the motor or shaft was frozen, thawed today when the sun came out!

Sorry that's 4!

I've lubed the wiper motor shaft and smeared under the circlip and washers with waterproof grease. Silicon grease in the wiring plug.

Also stripped and cleaned the boot light switch so now that works!

[Christophski]

Glad to hear you have it working John. It always feels like a successful day when things go your way! Likewise for you Ian and your wiper issues

[newsh]

. At least I know I need "239", even if it doesn't help you John. Sorry....

Well I seem to be ok now[emoji41]

I suggest resoldering the main power pins on the wee circuit board in 239 [emoji106]

Also make sure your wiper motor shaft is not seized

[steve briance]

fingers crossed that is fixed but word of warning - mine worked on and off for a while before being off permanently. I can only think that the frayed and snapped copper strands were occasionally touching and that was enough to power the motor.

On the topic of rear wipers - another weird fix i had with mine was that in winter it would go realllllllllly slowwwwwwllllllly.

this was solved by taking the cover off the motor worm drive and washing out all of the old grease. It had gone thick and dark brown over time and in the cold it went REALLY thick to the point of slowing things down. Fresh grease and away you go!

[newsh]

Top tip!

[Ian Simmonds]

Well I seem to be ok now[emoji41]

I suggest resoldering the main power pins on the wee circuit board in 239 [emoji106]

Also make sure your wiper motor shaft is not seized

This is also another top tip. Many thanks John, I now have a working rear wiper...... woohoo...

On close inspection of the circuit board, a tiny part of the tracking had melted, less than a mm and caused open circuit. So I resoldered the gap and the power pins... Took all of 3 minutes. Job, as they say, is a good'n...

[newsh]

This is also another top tip. Many thanks John, I now have a working rear wiper...... woohoo...



On close inspection of the circuit board, a tiny part of the tracking had melted, less than a mm and caused open circuit. So I resoldered the gap and the power pins... Took all of 3 minutes. Job, as they say, is a good'n...

Excellent!

Now lube the shaft of the motor so it moves easily and draws less current.
To do this, remove the wiper blade, the small circlip and 2? shim washers. Run the motor and dribble in a few drops of oil. Finish off with some grease, waterproof if you have it and you're done.

[Rusty]

Excellent suggestion, I agree!

http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=83089

[Tridac]

Great thread. Rear wiper hasn't worked in ages, but after reading through this, looks like the only way is to go through the lot, wiring, relay, recondition the motor etc, to bring the whole system back to as new. On the to-do list for the spring...

[johnboy 3169]

[Ian Simmonds]

Excellent!

Now lube the shaft of the motor so it moves easily and draws less current.
To do this, remove the wiper blade, the small circlip and 2? shim washers. Run the motor and dribble in a few drops of oil. Finish off with some grease, waterproof if you have it and you're done.

Done, also went mad and filled the screenwash tank and bought a new 400mm Bosch wiper blade for it.... The joy and delight keeps coming....