I'm presuming this isn't just something I've only just noticed after years of ownership - but when driving with the rear wipe off but the front wipers on, indicating to the right triggers the rear to wipe. Also braking triggers the rear to wipe. Selecting reverse (as normal) triggers the reverse.

I presume the likeihood is something in the rear wiring loom is doing something odd, picking up the lights going on at the rear to trigger the rear wiper?

(car is 2010 1.1 Eco Active)

I think you must have an earth fault on the rear lights where all sorts of off weird things can happen. You need to take off the rear light units clean contacts and check the wires for chafing.

Assumed that was the case. Just wanted to check that I wasn't going mad and that it was just working as designed!!

Its definitely not as it should be, but the clue is in a light affecting the wiper. It's likely you also have disco lights at the back when you use the brakes but as driver you'd never know.

Yes, that's what I'd assumed too. Couldn't check as I parked up at work today, but it's on my radar to check tonight now that I've got a warning about it.

Remove rear passenger light and clean the connector properly. That should sort that out for you. Your rear lights will probably be discoing too. Might need a file to remove the hard stuff, proper connector cleaner and a wee dab of Vaseline to keep it dry. Will last a couple of years and then repeat!

Oddly, all the lights appear OK, so I'm leaving it until the weekend to clean up the contacts. It's switched behaviour today, now indicating left triggers the rear wiper!

I had exactly the same situation, you need to re-solder your wire connections to back lights. Cost me £40.

Hope this helps.

That's a great steer, thanks. Though my soldering is woeful.

larkim said:

That's a great steer, thanks. Though my soldering is woeful.

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I took it to a electrical mechanic and it cost me £40, so not too bad.

Is it possible with a multimeter to properly diagnose this myself.

I've taken off the rear light assembly and this video shows what happens - flickering brake light on one of the filaments in that bulb when the indicator flashes. Internally now the indicator light flashes rapidly when both brake and left indicator are illuminated.

I know I could take it to a garage for them to sort, but I'd rather acquire the knowhow myself if possible. All of the bulbs are working, front and rear, so it's not a bulb issue, and I've cleaned the connectors with alcohol and reseated the wiring loom connector. If it is going to be beyond me, fair enough, but I've got an multi-meter, some time to spare and an enthusiasm for it, so any pointers about the steps one would take to diagnose it would be gratefully received!!

Video (and I think sound, so you can tell which pedals / switches are being used)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZwNdrNmfzgaMyRx86

You need to take the light assembly completely out and check the connector block where it connects to the car. It'll be crusty. Remove the crusty bits and give it a good clean up with contact cleaner. A wee dab of Vaseline afterwards will keep the damp out a bit. It's not the light assembly itself - just the connector.

I had the same problem on my 53 reg Panda last month. I changed all the rear bulbs and it sorted it.

Simply disturbing the connections can correct the problem, but it is always wise to check the connectors. Corrosion in there will eventually cause the connector to fail. Take it apart, clean contacts, protect with dielectric spray and reconnect.

This is exactly the issue I am having. As some other have said the actual plug on the end of the loom seems to be the culprit. I cleaned mine up but it still made. I difference. I found another thread on here where they bent the earth connection closer together again, this is the middle pin in the multi plug.

Slevin Kelevra said:

This is exactly the issue I am having. As some other have said the actual plug on the end of the loom seems to be the culprit. I cleaned mine up but it still made. I difference. I found another thread on here where they bent the earth connection closer together again, this is the middle pin in the multi plug.

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If the contact's are copper get some killrock limescale remover the soak then in does. A great job at removing corrosion from copper cable ends

chris3234 said:

If the contact's are copper get some killrock limescale remover the soak then in does. A great job at removing corrosion from copper cable ends

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I don’t think they are copper but thanks anyway for the tip.

I’m going to take another look at things tomorrow and see if I can bend the contact points for the pin back closer together.

It might be easier to get a plug from a scrap yard, cut it off the end of the loom and splice it to yours. Solder and heat shrink sleeve etc.

If you cannot solder, you can at least test it with wires twisted together and taped up then get an auto electrician to properly solder it for you.

Cheers, not had a chance to get stuck in again, but that's a really useful pointer!

Ok, so I’ve resolved the issue.

Remove the light units and have a look at the central pin, mine was certainly a little burned, especially the plastic at the base of the pin.

I then looked at the corresponding hole on the multi plug, the metal prongs were bent open and when compared to the rest of the prongs in the other holes, it was easy to see where the issue lay.

I carefully bent the prongs back Closer together, refitted the light unit and hey presto the lights now work normally again. I had to do this on both rear light units.

I’m not sure how much of a permanent fix this will be, possibly getting another, undamaged multi plug would be the long term solution.