Rear Wiper

[IDH]

Hi,

 

I have seen some of the other topics about the rear wiper and the faults with the wiring into the tailgate. However,not sure if this applies to mine as the last week when i turn the wiper on sometimes it works and works fine - but on the same journey i will again go to turn the wiper on and it wont work, i'll try it again 10 minutes later and it will work - very strange - any thoughts??

 

Thanks for all feedback, it is always appreciated.

 

('04 reg 2.3 Ghia)

Edited November 14, 2010 by IDH

[gregers]

i would say once you can honestly say the wiring isnt at fault then it may be the wiper switch itself.

[IDH]

okay thanks, I have it booked in at my local garage tomorrow to take a look. Although wiper has worked fine for two days since i booked it in!! it decided not to work this evening - very strange !!

[mikej]

Sounds like the tailgate wiring to me , that's exactly what mine started doing before it totally gave up on me, pull the rubber boot back at the top of the tailgate and have a look at the condition of the wires, i feel you may be suprised on just how bad they get! :)

[IDH]

Thanks for your comments - My local garage checked it today and said there isnt a fault in the switch or at the wiper motor as all came out okay in the checks, suggested that it was in the wiring loom that runs along the length of the car - although i dont know if he checked under the rubber covers at the top of the tailgate which has been mentioned on here?

 

As there is a rubber cover on each side going into the tailgate - which side would be for the wipers? would i be correct in thinking the drivers side ? what is the technique in taking the rubber off, as i pinched / pulled the top part and it came off from the body - although quite stiff, i could see only the wires - but not a connection to anything, i couldn't get the other end of the rubber cover off that attaches to the tailgate and didnt want to force it(didnt want to do any damage as can live without just the wiper!)?

 

is there a technique to getting the other end of the rubber cover off or just brute force? and what will i find under there - is there a connection point for the loom - will all be revealed?

 

Thanks.

Edited November 17, 2010 by IDH

[mikej]

As mentioned on here many times, the wireing on these cars is pretty poor and prone to damage on the drivers door and tailgate. Pull the boot at the top right and inspect the wires in there for any damage, there are several in there and they actually perish and snap. There arn't any plugs to look at as such just damaged wires, mine had 3 on inspection and these caused all sorts of issues with wiper not working or boot not opening etc, just replace the damaged sections with new wire and your good to go. :)

Quote : is there a technique to getting the other end of the rubber cover off or just brute force? No and yes, it should pop back in after the jobs done honest :D

Edited November 17, 2010 by mikej

[IDH]

Got an auto electrician around today, he said the loom and wires were all fine - which was good news. He found the fault which it seemed water from the washer pipe (next to the motor) had got into the motor and started to corrode, he cleaned and wd40'd it and all is now working fine .

 

£50 well spent - peace of mind that the wiring is all ok and managed to hopefully save the motor - wont use the rear washer as pretty useless anyway!

Edited November 18, 2010 by IDH

[mikej]

Well at least it's sorted, although that issue is something i haven't come across before. I would have thought mind you would need your rear washer more than ever now winter is here especially as the galaxy has a habit of attracting dirt to the rear screen :(

still it's going now !

[IDH]

the washer only squirted up a couple of inches if that so wont miss it!

- i've used the washer since repair and it is now squirting half way up the window which explains the leak causing it to have a loss of pressure.

[Mirez]

The pipe coming adrift at the motor is nothing that new, its basically a VW Mk4 Golf motor unit and these are very well know for the issue! The only difference is the galaxy has an even worse connection in the passenger footwell which breaks first :(

 

You can adjust the angle (and therefore height) of the rear jet using a needle - the jet itself is in an eyeball style socket that allows quite a lot of adjustment,.

[IDH]

Thanks Mirez, the jet is working fine now it has been re-attached properly - but wiper is still being temperamental again! still only working when it feels like it so may have been too late to save the motor - i'll have keep a look out for a replacement.

 

Although if i cant find one at a good price i'll just invest in some Rain-X :(

[IDH]

Just to update - rear wiper is has been and still working fine so WD40 did the trick.

 

A note to all - if your tailgate washer isn't squirting very well its likely that the hose is leaking over the wiper motor each time you squirt so recommend getting it secured as will be cheaper than a new motor!