2016 liftgate. Rear washer works but not wiper. Any tips on removal?

[jeru574]

Hello, I have a 2016 Titanium wagon with rear liftgate.

 

My rear wiper has recently stopped functioning but the washer still works.

 

Has anyone removed the rear wiper/washer motor unit and if so do I need any special tools or tricks to accomplish it?

 

Anything else that could cause this behavior other than a bad wiper/washer motor unit?

 

Thanks

[G B L]

Having Barn doors and the wiper covers are easily removable I can not speak to how hard the wiper motor is to remove,  The washer pump is in the front of the TC and sends the fluid back through a hose so its operation is separate from the wiper.   A good scan tool will isolate the issue to the motor or circuit.

[Double Nickels]

The interior panel on the lift gate pops off with trim removal tools.  You will see the wiring harness and motor assembly in plain view.  

[Don Ridley]

The wiper motor is controlled by the BCM. I think it gets pulse width modulated signals so troubleshooting in it may be complicated. 

 

Like GBL and I continually preach... You need a scan tool to work on these vehicles. The scanner may show an error code for the wiper (comm error or other). I use Forscan (free) and a $70 converter to connect to my PC or smartphone.

[B0NE]

I'd like to remove that wiper motor completely, as I've blacked out the rear window and I'm always accidentally hitting the switch that turns it on. Any suggestions on what kind of plug to put in it's place that would be leak proof?

[Fifty150]

Since you are convinced that you will never want the wiper again in the future........unplug the motor at the harness.  Maybe even wrap a little electrical tape.  Remove the motor and wiper arm.  Treat the hole like a body repair.  Get some 3M Bondo.  I recall that there is sort of a mesh tape that you can apply over the hole, then bondo on top.  Sand it down.  Paint it.  

 

 

 

 

[Don Ridley]

Many options on Amazon. Also check your local auto parts store for a rack of similar parts 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081T2X495/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_bjo1FbJHSZYNS

[B0NE]

I have a liftgate and the unit is in the glass, so the bondo route might not work well. A rubber plug would do the trick, thanks guys.

[Fifty150]

I have a lift gate also.  Admittedly, I did not go out to the car to actually look at the rear wiper.  I suppose I should have known from memory that the wiper arm is set into the rear auto glass.  Sorry.

[Fifty150]

Here is a view of the liftgate with the panel removed.

[G B L]

On 12/11/2020 at 12:57 PM, B0NE said:

I'd like to remove that wiper motor completely, as I've blacked out the rear window and I'm always accidentally hitting the switch that turns it on. Any suggestions on what kind of plug to put in it's place that would be leak proof?

While you Think about a big body work project  you could take the arm off and unplug the motor!

[B0NE]

16 hours ago, G B L said:

While you Think about a big body work project  you could take the arm off and unplug the motor!

Haha, that arm has been off for a while. Problem with that is, now there's a 2 inch peg sticking out that likes to snag t shirts when I'm hooking up the boat trailer. 

[G B L]

12 hours ago, B0NE said:

2 inch peg sticking out that likes to snag t shirts when I'm hooking up the boat trailer.

Yes that could be an issue.  Some of that Foam that the swimming pool noodles are made from could be  made into a cover for the Peg  saving the tee shirts  .