It appears my octavia has the usual problem where the rear wiper doesnt work (not even erratically). If i use the wash function there is only a dribble of water. I was just wondering it its possible the fuse has gone or should i just replace the washer motor and be done with?

If it makes any difference my front right headlamp washer is not there atm, due to be replaced soon. If i use that it just pumps water all over the road with none going to the other headlamp washer.

Headlights - I guess that makes sense, I suspect if you block the pipe to the missing front headlight washer then the pressure will get water to the passenger side washer.

Rear wiper - hatch or estate? it might be joint in the pipework either in the boot (check near to the CD changer), or the tailgate itself. Hatch wiper motors seem to let water in around the seal and can seize up.

It appears my octavia has the usual problem where the rear wiper doesnt work (not even erratically). If i use the wash function there is only a dribble of water. I was just wondering it its possible the fuse has gone or should i just replace the washer motor and be done with?

If it makes any difference my front right headlamp washer is not there atm, due to be replaced soon. If i use that it just pumps water all over the road with none going to the other headlamp washer.

Do you mean wiper does not work or washer fluid to not work???

Sounds like you have both problems.

If your fluid is running slow then that should give you evidence that the washer pump is running and a blockage is more likely to be the issue. The poor flow might also be down to you not having the headlight jets there as that could divert pressure to the rear washer jets.

I would get a needle and clean out the crud in the rear wiper arm jets(2 of them) see if that helps.

If your rear wiper is not actually moving when switch operated then this could be a fuse(can't remember which one ) and could also be a corroded motor asm which is common. Check fuse first as these motor asm are now approx £100 new

sorry, I wasn't very clear.

When I operate the rear wiper, the arm doesn't move at all. Not even erratically.

The washer also only lets a small amount of water through to the rear wiper.

I only bought the car last week so I don't even know how to operate the headlamp washers. Is it with the rear washer or the front windscreen washers that they activate?

edit - its a hatchback

Edited 2 September, 201114 yr by yesiamtom

After inspeciting all the fuses none of them looked like they had gone so I guess I do need a new re wiper motor. I think the washer fluid issue is because im missing the front headlamp washer so that can be sorted quite easily.

Thanks for the replies guys, I know this topic is quite a regular (and annoying) one

Bowders - do you have a build thread or anything? I live in Portsmouth, im wondering if I've seen you driving around?

Edited 2 September, 201114 yr by yesiamtom

The rear wiper on mine has bust as well. Got some quotes, but the amount it is, I'm almost tempted to leave it broken.

Are they easy to change yourself? I had a quick look inside the tailgate to see about the fixings, but couldn't figure out how to get the plastic moulding off! Not a good start...

:S

After inspeciting all the fuses none of them looked like they had gone so I guess I do need a new re wiper motor. I think the washer fluid issue is because im missing the front headlamp washer so that can be sorted quite easily.

Thanks for the replies guys, I know this topic is quite a regular (and annoying) one

Bowders - do you have a build thread or anything? I live in Portsmouth, im wondering if I've seen you driving around?

Hi Buddy,

Not far from you at all. must of seen you about, I am in Portsmouth quite a bit.

Yes I have some rebuild pics, but it is fiddly and will only stop the problem for a short while as the reason it is not working is because the electrics have been soaked in water from a crappy designed motor asm, where the water to jets runs through a metal pipe inside the motor. If that metal pipe is leaking the problem will come back.

sorry, I wasn't very clear.

When I operate the rear wiper, the arm doesn't move at all. Not even erratically.

The washer also only lets a small amount of water through to the rear wiper.

I only bought the car last week so I don't even know how to operate the headlamp washers. Is it with the rear washer or the front windscreen washers that they activate?

edit - its a hatchback

I believe that the headlamp washers activate with the windscreen washers if you hold in the wash for about 2 secs... Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong!

Headlamp washers should work when the headlights are on and you activate the windscreen wash. On my vRS with Xenons, the headlamp wash is about a 2-3 second burst no matter how long you keep the windscreen wash.