Ford Fiesta rear screen wiper

[DC2]

The rear screen wiper does not work on my daughters Fiesta (1.1) she just acquirred it (1995 I think) and Dad has to fix it! I've looked at the motor and can't see anything wrong except I can not rotate the arm - do they cease up - if so can they be unceased by an old man like me!

[alunrw]

Could it be the fuse perhaps, had a simlilar problem with an escort?

[v64paul]

the motor is connected to the arm via a small gearbox. this is most likely the reason you cant turn the arm, because it's not designed that way. i would first check electrical feed, not sure if there is a seperate fuse but it's always worth checking the basics. if i had a pound for every time i'd assumed the worst and taken out the engine when it had run out of petrol i'd have about three pound fifty by now.... if it turns out to be the motor, it's off to the breakers yard if good old fashioned wd40 does'nt work that is! 

[JimmyK]

One flaw I have found in an earlier Fiesta was the switch on the column went high resistance, so it would not operate electrically: I ended up putting in a relay from the switch (the switch will allow enough current for the relay coil) and the motor supply comes through the relay contacts. You will have 12 volts in the rear of the car for the park supply. Maybe they sorted this in the older ones, check if there is a relay designed in that the column switch operates anyway

I am not sure whether they would be easy to turn by hand even if there wasnt a problem.

[mondepaul123]

Check the contacts and pins inside the tailgate on the lower right hand side. They go green. Clean up the plates and the corresponding pin ends on the tailgate, so they are nice and copper coloured again, and apply a little vaseline to keep them that way!