Rear wipe activates when in reverse

[montymole]

Couldn't find anything before on this, weird one ..

Automatic Sharan from '99 TDi 1.9 with an AFN engine.

When you select reverse gear the rear wiper starts going on continuous wipe, when taken out of reverse it stops wherever it is in the wipe cycle and stays there.

I've had a Mercedes that would switch on the rear wipe when put into reverse but that was only if the front wipers were on and it would complete the normal wipe cycle, stopping at the end point. The Sharan does it always, whenever reverse is selected.

Unless you stop it on either end of the wipe, the normal steering column stork does nothing. You have to play roulette with the reverse setting and get the wiper back to an end point so that the stork switch works again.

Any ideas or just chalk up to bad wiring or earthing issues, ignoring until something more sinister appears .. 8-)

thanks for any useful input !

[NG1]

I have a mk5 golf tdi and if I have my front wipers on and select reverse, it wipes the rear window but only the once. I also have a touran but can't remember it doing the same thing.

The VW main dealer should be able to assist you with this as they may be able to change settings in the car from their diagnostic equipment.

[boomboomer]

Another, possibly easier to solve cause could be the wiring loom where it passes from the car body into the tailgate. You may have a few wires worn through and shorting together.

I had this issue with my Alhambra, although it was the brake light circuit blowing fuses, and opened the rubber gaiter to find a real mess.

[andy e]

had similar problem on my sharan all the sheathing on the wires was brittle allowing wires to short out, just taped them up with some rubber tape that my lad gets, did all the doors as they were in the same state

[Crasher]

Yes, check the wires in the tailgate to body tube; I imagine two are split and touching.