So I am considering swapping out my hatch for the hatch that has the windshield wiper. I seriously hate driving in the rain without a rear windshield wiper its scary. Anywho, I was wondering besides that actual hatch and the wiper switch what else is needed? or is it plug in play?

 

i also would like to know this! good luck to ya

 

GeezerMan: you know what I mean when it rains and you can't see anything what so ever on your rear hatch because of the rain drops.

 

Kind of involved.

For a fully legitimate install you will need-

- Wiper Motor
- Windshield Wiper
- GXL Hatch Shock
- Wiper switch with Rear Wiper switch option.
- Wires.

You're going to need the GXL hatch shock because it has wiring integrated into the shock to power the motor. The hatch shock wiring then plugs into more wiring under the B-pillar panel and the wiring goes throughout the body of the car to the steering wheel wiper switch setup and whatnot. Or you could run wires directly from the motor to your own switch in order to power it. Could probably be done in under an hour.

 

seriously haha



i have a parts car with a wiper-hatch, i guess ill just look where all the wiring goes


i'll let u know how it goes if you still need the info this weekend!

also, on a related note, the damper has a sorta spring on it, is that important?

 

If you push the damper all the way in, you'll notice the two springs come together to make contact. That is the electrical contact needed to power the motor. That's why you can't turn on your rear windshield wiper when the hatch is open (dampers extended), the "springs" aren't making contact thus there is no electrical connection. Thats why you don't see any wires hanging from the hatch/dampers. Its a cleaner way of providing power to the wiper.

To answer your question; yes they're important.

 

okay by wires what do are you referring 2? I have an extra plug hanging there by my left tail light. I figured that would connect to the windshield wiper or is there another wire I need?

 

I'm not sure what those plugs by the tail lights are but those arent it.

The plug I'm talking about are under the left side B-Pillar. Its under a circular cap, kind of like a hub cap. I'm not sure if all FC's have this or if only the ones that came with rear wipers have it. Its hard to describe, if you want I can take a picture of it tomorrow.

By wire, I meant generic 16Gauge wire in order to run your own wiring from the motor to a power source, because I doubt your car came with the actual wiring for the rear wiper, but perhaps it did.

 

Isn't there also a washer bottle, pump and nozzle?

 

Before you go through all that trouble, give RainX a try. I've been using it for years and never wished for a rear wiper.

 

Yeah, RainX is great but it doesn't do much with snow...

 

well I live in southern california it has never snowed throughout my whole life.
Aaron: never thought about that I will check it out

championadrien: can you send me the pictures so I can know what it looks like. then I can try my luck and see if my car came with it.

As for installing the reservoir tank and pump i wonder how that is supposed to work. I kind of regret getting a GTU but hey it was my first car and I have had a blast with it.

 

Yes, there is a washer bottle and pump with a rear wiper application. The pumpand bottle mount on the left rear by the tail lights. The two wire plug is most likely the one for the washer pump. The hoses for the washer run up the left side (facing forward) and under neath the trim panel just forward of the hatch opening.

 

the only perk i see with a rear wiper is it's easier to open the hatch. I use mine maybe once in the morning if it rains and then never again because the air pulls the water off it at speed

 

I seem to remember the wiring clipping onto the edge of the window molding?
I just threw that phone cord coiled up wiring out actually, it was definitely not connected to the shock itself

Was it different for S4 or S5?

Funny how things change, people wanted wiperless hatches now we want them again!

 

That corded wired was for defrost. and yes the factory hardness has the plug built in, as do they have all the wiring for AAS and Cruise,ect.., even though not every car has those options installed the body harness is still there.

However, i would try the rain-x. I can't seem to get my wiper to work for the life of me... its got power, and supplying power via back probing makes it move, but somewere along the way there is resistance and even after cleaning all the contacts it still wont work. I gave up on it along time ago.

 

I swapped the hatch on my coupe because it was rusty but I vaguely remember any of it, it only took like 15 minutes to do it, its good all the wiring is there.

I wish Ford had installed the wiring on my truck for the heater mirrors, definitely need those on alot of snowy days

 

Yeah I've never used the washer fluid, I do have it, its just not really necessary. I do find myself needing the actual wiper though, seems like it would be damn handy.

Yeah thats what I figured since it would be easier to just build all base cars with fully wiring and add the additions later.

Did you check your actual wiper switch? I know mine doesn't work, I'm just savin up cash to get it rebuilt.

 

Here you go. if the pictures are unclear just ask questions and I will clarify.