Delayed action rear wiper - any suggestions for remedy

Figgerty

I drive an old Fiesta (97 plate) and although it is very old it starts first time, every time. I laugh each winter when I see new cars having problems starting when my 'old faithful' just keeps going on and on. The only problem is that despite switching on the rear wiper and leaving it on, it does not start to work for about 10 - 15 minutes after I first switched it on.

Is there a simple way to fix this or should I spend money by going to a local mechanic.

If this is the wrong Forum for this moneysaving query, please suggest a more appropriate Forum, if known.

Crabman

Hi Figgerty,

I've split your post into a new thread for a better response

(I tried to send this via private message but your user profile appears to not allow PMs)

harveybobbles

open the boot and look for the three (or four?) metal prongs - clean them up a bit and the wiper will work better.

Clean the contact plates too.

skivenov

I had this with my old escort and came to the conclusion it earthed through the hinges rather than the plates (although the world and his dog told me I was wrong), so in addition to cleaning the plates, I opened the boot and at the top sank a self tapping screw into tailgate and the frame and ran a bit of wire between them. Worked fine forever after that!

Figgerty

Crabman wrote: »

Hi Figgerty,

I've split your post into a new thread for a better response

(I tried to send this via private message but your user profile appears to not allow PMs)

Thank you Crabman. I have now 'enabled' Private messages. I had ticked the option for PM's only from my contacts and moderators.

Figgerty

harveybobbles wrote: »

open the boot and look for the three (or four?) metal prongs - clean them up a bit and the wiper will work better.

Clean the contact plates too.

Thanks for your interest.

Is all of this underneath the carpet in the boot. I dont remember seeing any prongs or plates. Assuming I find them, what should I clean them with?

skivenov

If my memory of your car's correct (though my memory of what I was doing 5 minutes ago ain't good), the prongs will be pointing down from the boot lid when you open it, and the contact plates will be where they land. Probably about 8 inches to the right of the catch.

londonTiger

i wipe my rear window once or twice at most, usually when i get into the cr after its been raining.. never need to use it. becaue the car travels forwards rain doesn't hit the rear window. Just a bit of rainx and you wont need to use the wiper at all.

harveybobbles

Does your rear fog light work? Think that picks up current from them contact plates i mentioned too.

You may find that the wiper motor is knackered. We went thru a spate of replacing them as they allowed water to get in them.

Figgerty

skivenov wrote: »

If my memory of your car's correct (though my memory of what I was doing 5 minutes ago ain't good), the prongs will be pointing down from the boot lid when you open it, and the contact plates will be where they land. Probably about 8 inches to the right of the catch.

Thanks for a lovely simple explanation.
That is what I remember but I did not know this had anything to do with the wipers. I just thought it was part of the boot closing bits. 'Bits' is a technical term you may not be familar with but it is one I use quite a lot followed by 'pieces'.

Do I use an alcohol wipe or a piece of clean fabric to clean them?

Figgerty

londonTiger wrote: »

i wipe my rear window once or twice at most, usually when i get into the cr after its been raining.. never need to use it. becaue the car travels forwards rain doesn't hit the rear window. Just a bit of rainx and you wont need to use the wiper at all.

This must be why a lot of new cars and hire cars don't have a rear wiper. When I eventually buy a new car it will have to have a rear wiper.

I like to use it when I'm driving in heavy rain or in winter when you have sleet or snow falling - it helps my driving if I can see clearly.