Technical Rear wiper issue

[Silviu78]

Hi, I have a 500 hybrid from 2021 that started to develop the folowing issue: the rear wiper is starting when I start the engine and is doing 3-4 wipes and then stops but randomly, not to correct end place. I saw a lot of similar cases on internet but nobody said how they solve it. Has someone found a solution for this ?

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[puntodeltathema]

I'd say wiring fatigue and resulting short circuiting in the electrical connection between the body and the hatchback (top left if you open the hatch) - a fairly classic symptom on older cars but yours is a bit new for that....?

 

[John202020]

I'd say wiring fatigue and resulting short circuiting in the electrical connection between the body and the hatchback (top left if you open the hatch) - a fairly classic symptom on older cars but yours is a bit new for that....?

Depends on how many times and at what temperature the lid has been opened?
But yes sounds classic hatch wiring issue

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi, I have a 500 hybrid from 2021 that started to develop the folowing issue: the rear wiper is starting when I start the engine and is doing 3-4 wipes and then stops but randomly, not to correct end place. I saw a lot of similar cases on internet but nobody said how they solve it. Has someone found a solution for this ?

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I had an old punto that would start the wiper on the stalk, but only way to stop it was to turn ignition off,

Sounds like an earth fault to me

And tailgate : hatch wiring has been as common failure before

 

[Silviu78]

Thanks guys! I will check the wires in that hatch grommet.

 

[GettinBetter]

I'd go with the earth fault, I'd be surprised see wiring fatigue on a 3yr old vehicle.
Too much paint left on/not cleaned off properly at the nearest earthing point bolt.
My tuppence worth....

 

[Silviu78]

I'd go with the earth fault, I'd be surprised see wiring fatigue on a 3yr old vehicle.
Too much paint left on/not cleaned off properly at the nearest earthing point bolt.
My tuppence worth....

Sorry for the ignorance, do you know exactly where I can check this ?

I also bought a multimeter few days ago to check the continuity…
I prefer to keep for the end the grommet to avoid to damage any other wires with my beginer skils.

 

[John202020]

I had the rear wiper motor on the mazda fail at 7 years old worked one moment not the next, was a internal switch problem was simpler just to swap with a second hand one

 

[jrkitching]

I'd be surprised see wiring fatigue on a 3yr old vehicle

So would I, unless that vehicle was a Fiat 500.

On a Fiat 500, I'd expect it, rather than be surprised by it. My own car's wiring failed completely at about the same age.

It's a shockingly poor piece of design/engineering; what is unforgivable is that this problem has been known about practically since the car launched, and seemingly nothing has been done to address this issue.

 

[Silviu78]

I had a look this morning and visually everything seems to be OK with the wires in that grommet, looks quite well, just in the middle they don't have fabric tape. The connection to the motor seems to be OK. Do you know any method to check the continuity without starting to cut the wires?

 

[John202020]

Did you check the other end of the flexible not just one?

 

[Silviu78]

Did you check the other end of the flexible not just one?

Good advise! Checked and the I found what is the photo. Anyway, with a soldering gun I made the connection and now is working as it should be. I’m just hoping will last until May, next year when I will return this car….

Thanks guys!

 

[jrkitching]

So another confirmed hatch wiring fault on a car less than four years old.

The repair you have done will only provide a very temporary fix. If you want it to last until next May, I strongly recommend you stop opening and closing the hatchback. And this is certain to cause problems down the line for whoever next buys the car.

If everything is now working normally, you are lucky. If the wrong wires touch, and a live feed ends up where it shouldn't be, it's possible to damage electronic modules on the car which could cost thousands to replace.

And also, worryingly, we're seeing similar reports of door loom failures.

Just what are Fiat using for cable???

 

[Silviu78]

Yeah, I think the wire length is not sized correctly, is too tight so if you slam the tailgate or you open it frequently probably in time this is causing issues. Anther cause can be the quality of wire, probably they are using the cheapest option on the market.

If will fail again I will add an extension to be sure that is not tensioned anymore.

 

[jrkitching]

Yeah, I think the wire length is not sized correctly, is too tight so if you slam the tailgate or you open it frequently probably in time this is causing issues. Anther cause can be the quality of wire, probably they are using the cheapest option on the market.

The design weakness is that the loom is bent through an excessively sharp angle whenever the hatch is opened or closed. The type and quality of wire used is an exacerbating factor.

The only solution that has any chance of lasting is to splice in new cables of a type capable of withstanding the flexing, making sure to attach both ends to a secure part of the loom not subject to bending. This involves removing a considerable amount of trim on both the rear bodyshell and the hatch itself.

The wiring selected must have both insulation and conductors designed for repeated flexing; the cable used by Fiat has neither. Cable designed for meter test leads would be a good choice.

Standard automotive electrical cable has no chance of producing a lasting repair in this application, however much you might extend the cables by.

If you don't open the hatch anymore, your fix should last long enough to enable you to return the car at the end of your agreement.
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[puntodeltathema]

More evidence that the newer cars have poor quality wiring. I wonder if it is a COVID/Ukraine/global supply chain issue which has (or did in 2020-21) caused a change of source.

 

[GettinBetter]

Wow! Good catch. I stand corrected about the age thing...
Maybe I should check mine having seen those photos.

Is this worse on later cars then?

 

[John202020]

I'd be tempted to put a note in the hidden under seat storage stating the issue so a new owner might find it eventually?

 

[Silviu78]

I'd be tempted to put a note in the hidden under seat storage stating the issue so a new owner might find it eventually?

Yes, that’s not a bad idea, I will do it.
I must admit that I’m not feeling comfortable to give the car back knowing about that issue but I’m convinced that if you will go in a service to repair it, probably they will do a similar “temporary” repair. I’m very curious to see in the Fiat workshop manual what is written as repair steps for that harness.

 

[steveras57]

Yes, that’s not a bad idea, I will do it.
I must admit that I’m not feeling comfortable to give the car back knowing about that issue but I’m convinced that if you will go in a service to repair it, probably they will do a similar “temporary” repair. I’m very curious to see in the Fiat workshop manual what is written as repair steps for that harness.

probably should be "throw it in the bin" then employ an electrician not an accountant to design and build a good one out of off quality materials rather than dog!.