# Rear wiper and defroster don't work **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford, escapehybrid\ **Created:** [November 21, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530 "2022-11-21T20:54:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Daltyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Daltyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daltyn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/1 "2022-11-21T20:54:52Z")
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid with 197k miles. Rear wiper does not work. There’s no movement or sound coming from the rear when I turn it on. Rear defroster does not work. The light on the switch turns on from the dash. Rear washer fluid comes out normally. I recently replaced the wiper motor. The old one was corroded and may have still worked but it was pretty cheap to replace. All the fuses from the engine compartment and the interior seem to be good. My best guess is there’s a bad ground somewhere but I’m just guessing at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/2 "2022-11-21T21:03:15Z")
> [@Daltyn](#): > > My best guess is there’s a bad ground somewhere That would be my first guess as well. A digital multimeter goes a long way toward diagnosing that. The next guess would be a broken wire inside the rubber gaiter that feeds the harness into the hatch. Check the contacts of the wiper and defroster for voltage when turned on, then resistance to ground. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/3 "2022-11-21T21:09:21Z")
[Ford wipers wiring diagram — Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice Ricks Free Auto Repair Advice | Automotive Repair Tips and How-To](https://ricksfreeautorepairadvice.com/ford-wipers-wiring-diagram/) ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 9:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/4 "2022-11-21T21:35:13Z")
Check for power at the connector if it was all corroded and or create a new wire to ground to test. ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/5 "2022-11-21T21:54:32Z")
> [@Mustangman](#): > > The next guess would be a broken wire inside the rubber gaiter that feeds the harness into the hatch. This was my first guess, considering there’s been sixteen years of flexing there. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 10:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/6 "2022-11-21T22:23:54Z")
With both wiper motor and defroster suddenly not working, first step, double check the fuse(s) that control those circuits are good. A bad ground is possible, but wouldn’t be my first guess, unless ground wire was disturbed during recent WW motor replacement. If the problem is a wiring problem, I’d guess a faulty electrical connector first. Problematic relay after that. ---
**Author:** ![Daltyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Daltyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daltyn)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/7 "2022-11-21T23:23:31Z")
Either the multimeter I have is faulty (it’s a few years old and pretty cheap)or I’m just not using it correctly somehow. I can’t even get a reading to show up when I test the +/- battery terminals. I went ahead and ordered a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 11:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/8 "2022-11-21T23:31:27Z")
You know multimeters have batteries, don’t you? Maybe the battery needs replacing. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/9 "2022-11-21T23:52:44Z")
I put the dial on ohms and touch the lead. If I get a reading it works fine. You don’t have to pay a lot of money if you are not interested in total accuracy. I think I paid $10 for my last one. Most of the time I’m just trying to get a reading. Don’t care if its 11 volts or twelve as long as something registers. ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2022, 11:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/10 "2022-11-21T23:55:11Z")
My multimeter has a replaceable fuse in it. so, check to see if yours has one and if it is still good. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:48am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/11 "2022-11-22T05:48:38Z")
There’s a lot of flexing in the wires where they go from the body to the hatch, probably at the top next to or with the hinge. It’s often a problem in doors, too. Even if you are lucky enough to find where the wires are broken you still have to at least splice in a new piece of wire or they will break again. Most of the time you end up replacing that whole harness. It’s picky work when you have to get through the trim and the headliner without making a mess. ---
**Author:** ![Daltyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Daltyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daltyn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/12 "2022-11-22T05:51:53Z")
I replaced the batteries to see if it made a difference and it did not. It won’t even register a continuity test when touching the probes together. ---
**Author:** ![Daltyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Daltyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daltyn)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 5:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/13 "2022-11-22T05:56:05Z")
I removed the wire harness that connects the wiper motor and one side of the defroster, to another connector that’s located in the top back right corner behind a panel and the headliner. The harness looks to be in good condition but I have no idea where that connection leads to yet. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2022, 4:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/14 "2022-11-22T16:35:32Z")
Your hands are really tied without a testing meter. Looking at wires is a waste of time, they can look perfect and be broken or heavily corroded inside the insulation. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/15 "2022-11-23T00:01:18Z")
> [@Daltyn](#): > > [inexpensive] multimeter … faulty … or … not using it correctly I’m guessing the dvm (multimeter) I use for my diy’er auto work cost less than yours, free! … lol … Harbor Freight used to give them away when you made a purchase. I think they are $7 post-Covid, still a good value. If batteries are good, battery connections not corroded, and you turn it on in “volt” mode, you should see it display “0 volts” (or close to that). If it doesn’t display anything, screen looks same on or off, it’s probably a gonner. Time to pony up $7 for a new one. If it powers up ok, but doesn’t make measurements or are inaccurate/inconsistent - Internal fuse may be blown, take it apart for a look-see - Testing wire(s) may be broken (this is a pretty common problem) - Mode switch may be corroded (another common problem esp w/inexpensive versions). Try rotating it around in circles through all the settings 3 or 4 times. Google to find a training web-page or u-tube on how to use multi-meter basic functionality. Often the problem isn’t how to use the meter, but how to interpret the results. Requires basic electric-circuit knowledge. Most folks learn this is a classroom, but could be learned by internet training too I suspect. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 12:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/16 "2022-11-23T00:14:25Z")
You can make one in a pinch with a 12v bulb and couple pieces of wire. If the bulb lights you have power. But remember to turn the switch on. Still a ride to hf or the hardware store would be easier. ---
**Author:** ![TheWonderful90s](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/thewonderful90s/32/29584_2.png) [@TheWonderful90s](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TheWonderful90s)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 4:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/17 "2022-11-23T04:28:50Z")
That advice is for standard quality meters. The $5 ones at Harbor Freight are wiped out if set to the ohms setting and more than about 25V is applied to the leads, or more than a couple Volts is applied across the leads when on the current measurement setting. The last one I opened had a fuse that was hooked up in such a way that it wouldn’t actually do anything. ---
**Author:** ![Daltyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/2bfe46/32.png) [@Daltyn](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Daltyn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 4:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/18 "2022-11-23T04:33:23Z")
I ended up getting a Fluke 107 on sale for a decent price. I checked continuity on every single fuse under the hood and also the interior. Also checked as many wire harnesses as I could without removing the headliner yet. I forgot to check voltage leading to the wiper motor but I’ll do that in the morning. I don’t really know what to do next. I’m not getting any issues from any other electrical parts. Local mechanics are going to charge at least $200 to check for electrical issues. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 5:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/19 "2022-11-23T05:34:39Z")
Seems to me you start at the point of failure, the wiper motor, and proceed back until you get a reading. Like said likely frayed wire close to the door. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530/20 "2022-11-23T22:10:43Z")
> [@Daltyn](#): > > Local mechanics are going to charge at least $200 to check for electrical issues. Spending $200 for a shop diagnosis is probably the way to go. Electrical problems are best diagnosed by referring to the car’s wiring diagram. Otherwise it can be nearly impossible. Imagine you were a tourist driving from Malibu to San Bernardino without a map. The options are to spend the $200 for the shop, or purchase a set of wiring diagrams for you car. The second option would cost considerably less than $200 if a Haynes or Chilton’s repair manual is available for you car. But then you’d still have to obtaining a working DVM & do the diagnosis. $200 to the shop is sounding more and more reasonable. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rear-wiper-and-defroster-dont-work/187530.md?page=2)