Rear wiper operating whilst switched off

dionh · 23rd June 2008, 20:57

Anyone know what's going on here? When I engage reverse gear, the rear wiper on my tourer gives three wipes and then stops. My understanding is that this should only happen if the switch on the steering column is in the first position - which it isn't - both front and rear switches are in the off position.
It has only started doing this recently and draws curious looks from passers-by, not to mention curses from me.

Di.

Greeners · 23rd June 2008, 21:07

Does it do it everytime you engage reverse...?

JohnDotCom · 23rd June 2008, 21:15

This would be normal if you have auto Rain sensing wipers,
and they are set to on and you engage reverse.

Greeners · 23rd June 2008, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnDotCom

This would be normal if you have auto Rain sensing wipers,
and they are set to on and you engage reverse.

Not sure that is true John...I'm 99% certain, if the front wipers are on and you select reverse, the rear wiper will give 3 wipes, regardless of if you have auto sensing wipers or not.

If I can find a handbook I'll check.

Other option is a battery disconnection job as the BCU may have got it's knickers in a knot...

dionh · 23rd June 2008, 21:53

I couldn't swear to it, but I think it happens every time David, (trouble is you only notice it when it happens - if you see what I mean).
John, it does have a rain sensor, but according to the handbook, this only operates if the switch is set to intermittent wipe and in any case there has been no rain for it to detect for a couple of days!

Di.

JohnDotCom · 23rd June 2008, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greeners

Not sure that is true John...I'm 99% certain, if the front wipers are on and you select reverse, the rear wiper will give 3 wipes, regardless of if you have auto sensing wipers or not.

Dooh! Never thought of that one as I have Rain Sensors.
Thanks for correction David, must check all variants first in future.

David3807 · 23rd June 2008, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by dionh

I couldn't swear to it, but I think it happens every time David, (trouble is you only notice it when it happens - if you see what I mean).
John, it does have a rain sensor, but according to the handbook, this only operates if the switch is set to intermittent wipe and in any case there has been no rain for it to detect for a couple of days!

Di.

If you have the intermittent position selected for the front wipers the rear wiper will always set off when reverse is selected - rain or lack of has no effect on the rear wiper. A least thats the way it works on my tourer and I have had the rear wiper go off when I have accidentally put the fronts on intermittent and reverse selected. No rain so the fronts dont sweep but the rear still goes off when reversing.

If you are sure that you havnt moved the front wiper switch it could be a failing connection in the switch. Suggest move switch downwards (for the one quick sweep facility) and let it spring back - then try reverse gear again to see what happens

dionh · 24th June 2008, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by David3807

If you are sure that you havnt moved the front wiper switch it could be a failing connection in the switch. Suggest move switch downwards (for the one quick sweep facility) and let it spring back - then try reverse gear again to see what happens

Brilliant! I tried the 'one quick sweep' and lo and behold everything now works as it should.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Di.

David3807 · 24th June 2008, 10:43

Thats great. Probably a sticky switch or dirty contacts.

Never done it myself but dont think its too difficult to get at the switch with some contact cleaner if it happens again.

23rd June 2008, 20:57	#1
dionh Regular poster MG ZT-T cdti 135 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Monmouth Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Rear wiper operating whilst switched off Anyone know what's going on here? When I engage reverse gear, the rear wiper on my tourer gives three wipes and then stops. My understanding is that this should only happen if the switch on the steering column is in the first position - which it isn't - both front and rear switches are in the off position. It has only started doing this recently and draws curious looks from passers-by, not to mention curses from me. Di.

23rd June 2008, 21:07	#2
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	Does it do it everytime you engage reverse...? __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

23rd June 2008, 21:15	#3
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	This would be normal if you have auto Rain sensing wipers, and they are set to on and you engage reverse.

23rd June 2008, 21:53	#5
dionh Regular poster MG ZT-T cdti 135 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Monmouth Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I couldn't swear to it, but I think it happens every time David, (trouble is you only notice it when it happens - if you see what I mean). John, it does have a rain sensor, but according to the handbook, this only operates if the switch is set to intermittent wipe and in any case there has been no rain for it to detect for a couple of days! Di.

24th June 2008, 10:43	#9
David3807 Posted a thing or two 2002 R75 Conn SE 2.5l Auto Tourer, 2001 R75 Conn SE 2.5 Auto Saloon Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gravesend Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thats great. Probably a sticky switch or dirty contacts. Never done it myself but dont think its too difficult to get at the switch with some contact cleaner if it happens again.