Rear Wiper Not Working

[gkay2021]

Since the heavy snow we had 2 days ago my rear wiper has stopped working.

When you turn the stalk nothing happens, the washer still dispenses but the wiper blade doesn't move.

I saw the tip about try opening and closing the bonnet but have had no success.

I also have a full battery so can't be that either.

Any other ideas?

 

[Alb]

Did you (deliberately or inadvertently) operate the wiper when it was snow/ice bound?

 

[gkay2021]

Did you (deliberately or inadvertently) operate the wiper when it was snow/ice bound?

I don’t recall doing this but my wife may have although if so there would only have been a small amount on at the time as car was cleared daily during the bad weather.

 

[awbugritt]

Is there a fuse you can check to see if it's blown?

 

[Lovemyev]

The rear wiper will action when your select reverse gear.
If the wiper was frozen to the glass, or the snow was too heavy, this could have blown the fuse.
Also check to see if the motor is turning, but the blade is not wiping.
Turn on the the rear wiper and stand next to it.
Can you heat the motor turning ?.
If so, the retaining nut that secures the arm to the motor has become lose - maybe ?.

 

[awbugritt]

As far as I am aware ANY rear wiper works regardless of whether reverse is engaged or not.

 

[Gadget Geek]

As far as I am aware ANY rear wiper works regardless of whether reverse is engaged or not.

I think he was referring to the action of reversing. If the front wipers are on auto on my Kona and they wipe the front windscreen, then the rear wiper will give a single wipe as I reverse off my drive.

 

[Lovemyev]

Yes it does.
I was just pointing out that the rear wiper will operate automatically ( without turning it on ) when the car is reversing and the rain sensor picks up the signal.
This feature is really handy when it is just raining, because it instantly improves visibility, but if the screens are covered in ice or thick snow ️ and the wipers operate automatically, this is likely to wreck the rubber blades at best.
Worse case, the rear wiper is very small and if a LOT of heavy frozen snow is sitting on the screen, the weight MAY overload the wiper motor and blow the fuse, without the driver having any knowledge of the fact.

 

[Kithmo]

I think the fact that it's small means there's less chance of overloading it, but it is possible.

 

[Alb]

The rear wiper is protected by Fuse 16 in the box under the bonnet. It's rated at 15A.

 

[Lovemyev]

I wonder if it switched by a relay also ???.
Could have its own or could share it with the front wipers I guess.

 

[Kithmo]

The rear wiper is protected by Fuse 38 in the box under the bonnet. It's rated at 15A.
View attachment 7130

That box looks a different layout to my ZS, is that the MG5 one?

 

[Kithmo]

On the ZS, there's a rear wiper fuse, F16, in the under the bonnet fuse box. As you look at the fuse box from the front of the car, the F16 rear wiper fuse is on the left hand edge of the box about half way down, it's a 15A fuse.

 

[Alb]

Quite correct, it does help when you select the right car!
The picture has now been updated.

 

[Kithmo]

Quite correct, it does help when you select the right car!
The picture has now been updated.

That's more useful than my explanation, "a picture speaks a thousand words" as they say.

 

[gkay2021]

Thanks for all the replies. Going to check the fuse out tomorrow see if that’s what’s causing the issue.

 

[gkay2021]

So looks like it wasn’t the fuse as replaced it with new to be sure and still no luck.

 

[Alb]

No point in digging too deep if it's not something obvious so best to get it booked in with your dealer. As far as you are concerned it's just a warranty failure.

 

[gkay2021]

No point in digging too deep if it's not something obvious so best to get it booked in with your dealer. As far as you are concerned it's just a warranty failure.

Yeah prob will do this as only had the car since November so will see what the dealer is saying.

 

[Lovemyev]

Quick volt meter check at the wiper motor first by the dealer should give a clue to what is going on.