Rear Wiper + Defroster Not Working...Ideas?

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shinsain

shinsain

10 Year
Joined
Oct 27, 2012
Threads
22
Messages
194
Location
Wenatchee, WA
Just as the title states. '96 80-series. Just trying to diagnose what's going on with the rear wiper and defroster.

The defroster switch works, at least the light comes on. I've checked what I assume are the fuses (lower left hand of the steering column?) and none are blown. I guess it could be either/both switches but it seems odd that neither work and they're both tied to the rear window to me.

Any suggestions on what to test? Maybe the fuses aren't in the cabin fuse box that I'm looking at? Any known problems I should be on the lookout for?
 
Had the same issue in the past, turns out the old grounding point had failed.
Once it was reground the rear wiper and defroster worked just fine.
 
MoustacheMike said:
Had the same issue in the past, turns out the old grounding point had failed.
Once it was reground the rear wiper and defroster worked just fine.
Click to expand...
Was it the ground under the center console?
 
MoustacheMike said:
Had the same issue in the past, turns out the old grounding point had failed.
Once it was reground the rear wiper and defroster worked just fine.
Click to expand...

Where's that ground point located at exactly? I'm not familiar with it. *crosses fingers*
 
There have been a lot of electical issues here lately and most are solved by correcting a grounding problem.
Recently I had to replace a smashed rear hatch with one from my parts rig inwhich the rear wiper worked a year ago but when I put it on my running rig, the wiper did not work. I smacked the rear hatch a couple times with my hand and the wiper began working. It's been a month now with no issue.
 
Last edited:
shinsain said:
Where's that ground point located at exactly? I'm not familiar with it. *crosses fingers*
Click to expand...
Rivman1243 said:
Was it the ground under the center console?
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% sure to tell you the truth, I took my LX to the local dealership.
They identified the problem (faulty ground) and fixed it, IIRC they charged around $40 or $50.
 
I just pulled up the center console, ground looked fine but I pulled it off and sanded the ground point to make sure it had a good connection. No dice.

I have the panel off the hatch right now inspecting connections but I don't see anything that doesn't look brand new back there. I'm also unsure of all that I'm checking so maybe I'm missing something.

I mean, it could be that I have two separate faults: a bad wiper switch on the wiper column, and a bad defrost switch. However, the front wipers and spray (as well as rear spray) function work. So that makes me feel like it's unlikely that just the rear portion went bad. And the light is on in the defrost switch which makes me think it's good too.

I'll pull the multimeter out, but is there anything else that is in common?

And just to be sure: both of those fuses are the fuses in the cabin fuse box to the lower left of the steering wheel, right?
 
Did a bit more snooping around. Found one connector that looked a bit corroded. Tried as best I could to clean it off to make sure it was making good contact. As I plugged it back in I heard a dinging up front indicating a door (back hatch) was ajar. Never heard that before. Measured between the defrost leads on the rear window with a multimeter and got 12v. Turned the rear wipers to on and heard a click in the wiper control module in the rear hatch...but the wiper didn't work.

Tested the defrost the next morning...nothing. Going to turn it on this morning and see if there is still 12v there. If it happens to be a bad connection in this specific connector I'm going to put a new connection on. It was hard to really clean inside the factory plastic connection and I fear I didn't do much good.

Advice?
 
Having the same issues here. When I turn on the rear wiper I hear an electrical click/noise in the rear wiper area but no wiper motion. Also rear defroster does not appear to be working. Will check the suggested grounding points.
 
baldilocks said:
There have been a lot of electical issues here lately and most are solved by correcting a grounding problem.
Recently I had to replace a smashed rear hatch with one from my parts rig inwhich the rear wiper worked a year ago but when I put it on my running rig, the wiper did not work. I smacked the rear hatch a couple times with my hand and the wiper began working. It's been a month now with no issue.
Click to expand...


Stop by his place and let him smack it a few times
 
Its been another year and half, any update? ;)

Same issue here..
 
For me it’s the classic hatch hinge wires wearing out. I can turn the wiper on, won’t move, then go move the wires in the boot around... wiper, dome light etc come on as I bend it at the right angle, to the point where I know the exact spot it’s gone bad. Other wiring & grounds look okay..

Certainly could be a bigger issue!
 
YotaVincent said:
Its been another year and half, any update? ;)

Same issue here..
Click to expand...
Tested wiper relay, passed FSM specs.
Cleaned ground location under center console.
Measured ground from center console through every connector up the the wiper motor.

Connector that goes from D pillar harness to the hatch harness just above the headliner was either loose or dirty. Cleaned the connection, now dome, brake light, wiper, and defrost working again.
Fixed for me!
 
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