newbie needs help

[clive p]

I now know why the enlightened drive mercs. Just bought an old 200te estate to see me through this year as my vw recently died( possibly because my idea of maintenance is minimal interference until lights appear or it stops) It came cheap and I had no intentions of keeping it too long.. Now I want to get out the polish and give it a bit of TLC.

Two things that I really wouldn't have bothered about are now starting to annoy me. One is the ABS not functioning properly, but I guessed what that might have been and confirmed it with your help on this sight. Not having so much luck searching for remedies for the second, though. It's the rear wash/wipe not working. It has been looked at by the previous owners garage who suggested there was a problem with the wiring in the roof. If thats the case, then I guess I'll just live with it. What makes me think that this may not be the case is that operating the buttons does produce a relay 'click' in the tailgate. I assume this is the one mounted on the left as you look from the back. The rear screen heater does work.
Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks, Clive

 

[flagstaff]

it's unlikely (although i'm not certain) that the relay would be located in the tailgate. the click you are hearing may well be power reaching the motor or/and controller, and stopping there; possible cause could be a broken motor or associated hardware. the relay is more likely to be found with all the other relays/fuses - under the bonnet ...

 

[Mr Fridge]

If you can apply a voltage from the battery direct to the wiper motor and see if it works, if it does then it is the wiring or power supply from the steering column up to the motor if it does not work its the motor. A long piece of wire with an inline fuse works wonders for testing or a bulb and wire to check power on to the motor when switched on from the control.