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Rear wiper not working- Polo 2003 9N 1.2 petrol

Hello all, my first post on here. I tried searching but did not find the answer.
My partner has the above car, and its now my job to fix it. I dont know a great deal about VW, but i am learning.

The front wiper works fine and i can hear the relay click as it operates.
Do the front and rear share the same relay block/ control module?

I know the rear wiper will not work if the boot lid is open. The rear lock microswitch works though, as the tailgate warning lamp comes on if left open, so i guess its unlikely the microswtich is inhibiting the wiper operation? Unless there are dual micro switches?

I checked the fuse, its tested good, and i tried a new fuse to make sure.

I used a multi meter on the fuse seat, and theres no 12v present even when the rear wiper switch is pressed on.
so i am thinking its the relay or i guess could be the switch stalk.

I tried wiggling the wiring at the boot door hinge, but it didnt help.

Rear washer spray still works. Its not leaking into the wiper motor. cable still plugged into the motor, no corrosion on plugs.

I have the Haynes manual for the Polo, but it does not tell me the location of the relay. I can only find 4 relays to the right below the steering wheel.

Can anyone tell me the location of the rear wiper relay, before i have to rip the whole dash out! Or any other suggestions?

My partner struggles with reversing as it is, so with no rear wiper she really struggling!

Any help much appreciated.

Thanks

Naki

I'm not convinced that the rear wiper does not work when the hatch is open, it works like that on some other cars because the hatch needs to be shut for the body>hatch to make contact.

This could just be a faulty rear wiper switch or control module output.

One last thing, you do know that the rear wiper will sweep if the front wipers are on and you select reverse - does the rear wiper not even work under these conditions - I was just trying to eliminate the column switch!

Also, a wire could be broken in the cable that goes out from the car body to the hatch, you would need to remove the trim and check, also feel all along the rubber conduit for a broken lead, if so, you will need to solder in a new section, or use crimps, don't make this repair in the rubber conduit, but cut more wire out and move the repair into the car and the second end of the splice inside the hatch.

I had an issue with my rear wiper, turned out that the washer jet had failed, filling the wiper gearbox with screen wash which had shorted out the self-parking switch. Dried everything out and the wiper started working again though due to the leak it just filled up again....

Might be worth checking this before fault finding the in wiring loom or relay.

jalopy1975 wrote:I had an issue with my rear wiper, turned out that the washer jet had failed, filling the wiper gearbox with screen wash which had shorted out the self-parking switch. Dried everything out and the wiper started working again though due to the leak it just filled up again....

Might be worth checking this before fault finding the in wiring loom or relay.

Do you know that VW sell a repair kit for the rear wiper that consists of a new motor cover/washer tube, shaft, gaskets, seals, grease, and a spray nozzle?

Anyone know if the new Shap polo wiper arm fit the 9n????

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I don't have an answer, but, which type of wiper blade and arm is currently fitted to your car as there were two types fitted around that time, either old style multi link bridge blade type, or newer Aero type with a one piece bridge. In case you don't know, the arm type changes between these two listed types. Also, I seem to remember that the latest type - well on the late 2009> Ibiza, is a normal multi link bridge with a "dress panel" clipped on top of it, which might mean that the blade bridge top profile might need to be "special" - maybe have a look on lists like Halford's site to see if it quotes a different part number.