I am a new member although I have been eavesdropping for a few years. I have had this 2014 Roomster since 2016. It has done over 90k now so has been used quite a bit. Things are starting to go wrong, it happens with all cars when they get on a bit.

My number one problem I need to fix for the upcoming MoT is the rear wiper. It stopped working. As a first step I checked the fuse. If the manual is correct the allocated fuse is fine. I say if the manual is correct because I can see it is not entirely accurate. 
Step 2, I bought and tested a new motor. It did not work so I suspect either the switch or the wiring loom as it is highlighted repeatedly on this forum. Supplier was kind and allowed me to return the replacement motor which was exceptionally generous.

However, if the loom was broken there would be no power to the wiper motor plug and that is not the case. The brown wire has continuity to earth so it’s fine. The other three have some power in the region of 4.5v at the two outer and a few mV on the central of the three. Strangely some have power when the wiper is off too.

I also tested the old motor by hooking it up to my spare campervan battery. Nothing doing no matter what combination of connections. That battery is fine, it starts my Boxer.

Therefore,

I need to get into the loom in the tailgate and side panel of the boot. Does anyone have any guidance on how to do that without causing a lot of damage. The gaiter between the tailgate and pillar is resisting all attempts to get it off so advice on that would be good too.

 

 

 

 

You can remove the tailgate trim panels easily, just pop out the clips (20 or so) with needle nose pliers.

 

After that you can remove the gaiter(use a blunt flatblade or plastic trim tools) that is between the tailgate and the chassis (top left) to look for wire breaks.

 

To remove the gaiter, you might have to use a bit of brute force and maybe some wd40, it shouldnt be very difficult to remove but might have gone a bit hard from old age.

 

Thats where mine were.  where the wiring moves around during opening and shutting.

They were pretty obvious but sometimes the copper can break inside the plastic if you aren't getting anywhere.

They can be connected one moment and then for no apparent reason not work, some kind of quantum physics going on maybe, it has baffled me in the past

 

Being CanBus Voltages don't always make sense. Assume Nothing with electrical problems.

Edited 25 January, 20215 yr by loony

Hi 

Thanks for the reply.
 

I did manage to get there in the end. It was getting the side panel trims of the boot off that was the real problem and I failed at that. I managed to get the upper one partly off to get access to the multi way connector. Minor damage unfortunately.
A continuity test showed two discontinuous wires but also a lot of corrosion and copper salts in the connector block. I got the gaiter loose just as you describe. As you say the broken wires were in there but also a split washer hose. Wires were easy to splice as I have that sort of kit to hand. I am awaiting a length of pipe and a pack of unions for the washer hose. My splices have lots of free movement but I am expecting the other cables to break, the tension on them is evident. Bad design, they need to look at a Sevel van, all the cables on my camper have plenty free movement and plenty of securing mounts. That said, its fuse box layout as given in the manual is a work of fiction.

 

I reckon the strange small voltages were being feed back through wet cables and copper salts. Bit like and old British motorbikes and cars, all dodgy earths and leakage.

 

Air con now gone off again but I doubt I can fix that.

 

 

 

 

most likely condenser if you are lucky for the Aircon, if the clutch is working on the compressor.

 

Avoid kwik fit and a like like the plague, try and get a recomended local good guy do a sniff test, sometimes helpful dealers will tell you who they use for issues.

 

worth getting fixed as the compressor can seize and throw belts off if left for a long time.

 

My brothers Fabia had major issues because they actually designed the front door loom too short, obviously it broke.

 

I think there is so much cheap chinese wire about a lot of manufacturers are suffering, ive seen this on 17 plate audi's.

Edited 25 January, 20215 yr by loony