Today for the first time my rear wiper turned on by it self a few times. It works fine with the normal switch. There is one thing that i am not Sure is normal about the rear wiper. When I trigger the washer this is what happens. If I trigger the washer by turning the wiper knob just the sprayer sprays, front and rear, no wipers. If I push the button at the end of the wiper controls I get both sprayers and only front wipers. I don't know if that button should trigger both wipers. But this has been like this since I bought the truck. But the rear wiper turning on a few times by itself is new to today. Any ideas?
rear wiper turning on by it self
- Thread starter rc51kid
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Check the wiring where it goes from the body to the hatch lid. Sounds like maybe it's pinched/worn and shorting to ground to activate it?
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Good idea. I took a look and didn't find anything. With power on, I wiggled and pressed all the wires. It didn't make the wiper activate. Plugged it all in and everything worked OK. The wiper was working OK. This morning all was good for about 20 min. Then the rear started moving on its own. I tapped and wiggled the wiper arm hopping I would get a change. But nothing.
It is not really a big deal. I figured that I can unplug the rear wiper from the relay box and just have no rear wiper. Which I don't really mind. But I do like to have things right so it would be nice to find the problem.
It is not really a big deal. I figured that I can unplug the rear wiper from the relay box and just have no rear wiper. Which I don't really mind. But I do like to have things right so it would be nice to find the problem.
Reviving an old thread because I didn't see the exact answer by searching:
It's cold here in MN, and I'm not very eager to work on small problems until it warms up outside. The rear wiper on my '96 FZJ80 is having the same problem described by OP. Rear wiper comes on my itself randomly. Sometimes it doesn't come on at all, sometimes intermittent, sometimes on continuous. All without any input from the switch on the steering column.
So here's the quick question - Where can I quickly unplug the wiper so it doesn't run at all? I'll look into a proper solution later this Spring, but not in January!
It's cold here in MN, and I'm not very eager to work on small problems until it warms up outside. The rear wiper on my '96 FZJ80 is having the same problem described by OP. Rear wiper comes on my itself randomly. Sometimes it doesn't come on at all, sometimes intermittent, sometimes on continuous. All without any input from the switch on the steering column.
So here's the quick question - Where can I quickly unplug the wiper so it doesn't run at all? I'll look into a proper solution later this Spring, but not in January!
Unplug is easy. Pull off the plastic interior piece and the plug is on the driver's side.
When I had this problem, someone here said my ground may be bad. But I don't miss not having a wiper, so I didn't bother to look into it, yet.
When I had this problem, someone here said my ground may be bad. But I don't miss not having a wiper, so I didn't bother to look into it, yet.
That's the bit you take off to get to the wiper motor plug
Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks!
These problems are commonly due to grounding issues.
Just an FYI for the future...The likely issue is the wiper motor. Had the exact same problem of the rear wiper turning on by itself. There is a rotating switch assembly inside the motor housing that is usually the culprit.
Yep. But finding it can be annoying.
Lucky me - I'm pretty sure I have a spare sitting on the shelf in my garage!
I picked one up from @arcteryx Jason at Cruiseryard.Lucky me - I'm pretty sure I have a spare sitting on the shelf in my garage!
It's a PITA to install due to the nylon bushing that breaks when you remove the old motor. I fixed mine with an artistic application of JB Weld and has held up well.
When you have the rear plastic trim off, get in there with a spray can of Fluid Film to delay the inevitable.
I had the same issue a few years back, at that time I was traveling so just stopped at a gas station and pulled the connector behind the access panel to the motor relay, problem solved. Zip ahead a few years; I reconnected the connector to see what would happen and the problem did not reoccur. The only thing that was different is that during the time the wiper motor was disconnected I had replaced the complete steering wheel clock spring assembly which has the control stalk for the rear wiper. So can a defective stalk cause that behavior? IDK. I also have a spare complete rear wiper motor assembly in my parts stash just in case. FWIW.
I thought mine was an electrical problem, but after looking through the EWD I concluded that it most likely was the internal switch that runs the intermittent functionality. There is a finger contact that either breaks off or the switch itself fails causing the motor to run continuously.
A defective stalk switch is a possibility, but not as likely IMO. There is also a rear wiper control box that runs the logic for the rear wiper motor mounted all the way to the left side of the hatch.
Lol, I think I posted about this in 2014 after I blew a birf at the coast, had to winch out of a tight spot and onto the shore, all of a sudden my rear wiper just started working on intermittent. It wasn't switched on lol. I fiddled with the switch a while and then proceeded to unplug it. Plugged it back in a year later when I had time to sit down and trouble shoot it, hasnt acted up. On a side note, I had the lower dash removed and noticed there had been water damage to the relays by the driver kick panel and replaced them, might have been the cause, not sure what the relays go to.
My '95 had a bad ground at this location due to a severed wire. Similar mysterious wiper activities, along with a dim CHMSL.
Is the rear wiper supposed to activate when you press wash for rear only? Mine does not. Luckily this is the only problem with my rear, if it is even supposed to be that way.
Not a big deal, just curious if it’s supposed to automatically wipe with the wash function.
Not a big deal, just curious if it’s supposed to automatically wipe with the wash function.
If you twist the top of the the wiper stalk forward (clockwise) the rear wiper will
move, if you then twist a bit more and hold it the rear washer will squirt until you release pressure on the top/end cap.
Pushing (in) the button on the end of the stalk will spray water on the front windshield.
When the diverter valve (located engine bay, front fender) gets some age on it whichever washer you want to work the other one will also squirt at the same time, often just a dribble. Fix for that is to replace the diverter valve.
move, if you then twist a bit more and hold it the rear washer will squirt until you release pressure on the top/end cap.
Pushing (in) the button on the end of the stalk will spray water on the front windshield.
When the diverter valve (located engine bay, front fender) gets some age on it whichever washer you want to work the other one will also squirt at the same time, often just a dribble. Fix for that is to replace the diverter valve.