rear wiper problem

[gyoung]

Hello all. Long time explorer owner, my third one. This is the first time I have really needed help. My rear wiper doesn't work, 2001 Sport. I checked the fuse and convinced myself it was the motor. I replaced it and still nothing. I did have some power to the connection plug, but I am not sure which wire is which. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. I am thinking now it may be a relay? or the switch on the dash. Washer pump works fine.

 

[TheJackal]

There's a couple of relays in the main box that control the up/down motion of the wiper. The Owner's Manual will tell you which ones they are; try swapping them and see what happens.

also, make sure the liftgate and glass are closed. As simple as it sounds, we've all done it.

 

[gyoung]

Great suggestions! I didn't have the wiper arm on, hence I didn't worry about the window being closed

 

[ramren16]

the window has to be closed for the wiper to operate some kinda safety feature. when you turn it on high go back the the wiper motor and see if it is making any noise mine used to make a clicking noise but the arm was not moving to fix i just banged on the part that comes out of the lift gate while it was on and i finally kicked started working, about once or twice a years it stops working and i just beat on it and it works again its kinda wierd

 

[TheJackal]

The instructions I got with a new motor said you should not operate the motor without the arm attached. And as said it won't work without the glass closed no matter what.

 

[myerswg]

I have a 98 with the rear wiper working intermittently, mostly not. I hear the clicking noise at the relays and at the motor. Swapped relays did not work and the switch does not seem to be bad since the washer works. I would like to try everything before buying a new motor so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ramren16]

I have a 98 with the rear wiper working intermittently, mostly not. I hear the clicking noise at the relays and at the motor. Swapped relays did not work and the switch does not seem to be bad since the washer works. I would like to try everything before buying a new motor so any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

turn it on high and try to bang on it sounds stupid

 

[TheJackal]

turn it on high and try to bang on it sounds stupid

Or turn it on high, and slam the gate.

If that works, it's the motor. It is not difficult to replace.