Rear wiper just quit on me ...

[Gianni D]

Like the title says ... my wiper completely stopped working a few weeks ago. I know this is an extremely common issue, but the weird thing is that if I turn on the wiper switch on the console the light for it goes on and off. Can it be something electrical too??

Thanks,
Gianni

 

[JDraper]

There is a pair of relays that are mounted on the passenger's side frame rail under the air intake box that control the rear wiper/washer. One of them may have gone bad.

 

[budwich]

The light power doesn't do anything other than light the light...

If it is "cycling" though, as you indicated, it could be a bad connection on the switch which could cause your other problem (wiper not working). Of course, JD's response is also equally as likely.... but wouldn't address the "flickering" light.

 

[Rottie]

I've also noticed on mine that if the rear hatch or window isn't latched completely the rear wiper won't work. Maybe there's a switch back there that could've gone bad, telling the wiper not to turn on. Or would this issue be covered by the relays that JDraper is talking about?

 

[gijoecam]

The first place I'd check would be at the motor plug itself. Unplug the connector at the motor and check for +/- 12V when the wiper is cycling. Odds are it's a bad motor, but a relay failure isn't uncommon.

-Joe

 

[codeman200]

that happened to me, except one of the plastic gears in the motor housing stripped, but it was very quiet so i couldn't really hear it. if you put your ear to the liftgate near the wiper, you might hear the motor running. i had to buy a new motor, cost somewhere around $90.