Thought I'd post this up to help anyone who might have the same problem, which actually WE caused! 

We picked up our new Yeti Drive a few days ago, and it wasn't until yesterday we had occasion to use the rear wash/wipe.

Pushed the lever back... Nothing. No wipe, no wash. Checked the handbook... Doing everything right. Checked the fuse, all good. 

 

Then we read about 2 sensors under the bonnet and tailgate. So checked that both were firmly closed.... They were, and nothing showing open on the maxidot display. 

Scratched head.... Several times. 

Rang Dealer... He suggested a faulty motor, wiring, connector etc etc, but would need the car back in....but booked up at present.... Grrr. 

 

When we got home after picking up the Yeti, we transferred a large box with our travel kit from our old car which we'd traded in, (tyre pump, basic tools, dog stuff, wellies etc). 

That box was sufficiently large to go in the Yeti boot lengthwise, to allow the tailgate to close fully and not show as open on the maxidot display, but NOT for the sensor switch to activate the rear wiper. It must have been only fractional, but enough to hold it open a tad and prevent the rear wiper from working. 

 

Lesson learned.... Off to get a smaller box.

 

Hope it helps someone else anyway. 

 

Quote from the other thread you posted in:

 

Hint #1953.

Look at the door display that appears between the speedo and rev counter. If a door, hatch or bonnet isn't shut properly it shows up as "whitish" in the display.

You will also find that the alarm flash doesn't occur if they aren't shut properly.

He says that nothing was showing as open in the Maxidot display.

The rear hatch open can be missed in the Maxidot unless you know what you are looking for, nothing as obvious as the other 5 being open.

I'd be surprised if there was more than one boot sensor - either open or closed.  OEMs do not like adding $en$or$ and $witche$ if they can avoid it and one is enough to cover the boot-open warning, which would then lead to electrical shut-down of the wiper, disabling of the alarm etc.

Thanks to you all. Yes, that was the problem, nothing at all showed on the maxidot. But thanks Llanigraham we now know why the car was locking up normally but the indicators didn't flash. 

 

Obviously we're still finding our way round the car, so bear with us! This has more gadgetry than anything we've ever owned previously, but we are learning. 

 

Great forum and very very grateful for all your efforts to help us. Thanks.