No matter if I tick the box or don't on the dashboard screen menu the rear wiper always wipes once when I turn the ignition on. 

 

I have a vision when there is a heavy frost the wiper will get damaged when it gets stuck to the rear screen and the wiper activates.

 

Is there another way to stop the rear wiper from automatically activating ? 🤔 

 

9 minutes ago, Derbyshirebod said:

No matter if I tick the box or don't on the dashboard screen menu the rear wiper always wipes once when I turn the ignition on. 

 

I have a vision when there is a heavy frost the wiper will get damaged when it gets stuck to the rear screen and the wiper activates.

 

Is there another way to stop the rear wiper from automatically activating ? 🤔 

 

Pretty sure the MaxiDOT tick box is only there to enable auto rear wipe when reverse is selected and when certain conditions (front wipers running continuously in auto above a certain speed from recollection).

 

I think you may have the wiper (right hand) stalk in wrong position.  Rather than being in default off position you have it pushed forward one increment which sets the rear wiper to essentially intermittent wipe mode as per position 6 below

 

 

Just tested with my 63 plate facelift car with auto wipers and if you start engine with the wiper stalk in that forward position (rather than in the default off position) you get a single wipe of the rear screen as you describe.  Try pulling the wiper back towards you until front screen washes and then gently release from spring loaded wash position so it only springs back to the default off position.  If it's then still doing a rear wipe on startup then maybe there is an issue with the wiper stalk not defaulting to correct off position?

I must have spent over an hour outside freezing my nuts off! Messing about with the rear wiper switch and maxidot settings.

 

A couple of times I managed to stop the rear wiper from a single wipe on turning the ignition on. Neither I'm sure how I got it to start again!

But I'm not sure how I did it???

 

As you suggested DrCorbyLee the Maxidot setting doesn't seem to turn the single wipe on or off at ignition on.

 

I'm either extremely stupid or there is a fault with the wiper switch? Making sure the wiper switch is in both the off positions doesn't seem to stop the single wipe at ignition on.

54 minutes ago, Derbyshirebod said:

I must have spent over an hour outside freezing my nuts off! Messing about with the rear wiper switch and maxidot settings.

 

A couple of times I managed to stop the rear wiper from a single wipe on turning the ignition on. Neither I'm sure how I got it to start again!

But I'm not sure how I did it???

 

As you suggested DrCorbyLee the Maxidot setting doesn't seem to turn the single wipe on or off at ignition on.

 

I'm either extremely stupid or there is a fault with the wiper switch? Making sure the wiper switch is in both the off positions doesn't seem to stop the single wipe at ignition on.

There isn't a noticeable difference to (my) naked eye between off and intermittent wipe position and I have occasionally suprised myself when looking in rear view mirror and seen rear wiper wiping for no apparent reason because I'd knocked the stalk forward and not noticed.  If my trick re pulling back the stalk to wash the front screen and then slowly releasing stalk to ensure it only springs back to the default off position doesn't work every time to prevent start-up wipe each and every time then it does sound like there is an intermittent mechanical (e.g. stalk not ending up in correct position) or electrical (e.g. switch contact not making or breaking correctly) issue with the wiper stalk.  Not sure how you would diagnose, maybe VCDS can show the status of the stalk switches?  Silly question - looks like you have something hung from the base of ithe wiper stalk (air freshener maybe?)  Clutching at straws but is it possible that this is preventing the stalk moving back and forth freely?  

Yes I do have an air freshener hanging form the switch though I wouldn't have said it's heavy enough to impair the spring action? I've counted the switch positions in both directions in both axis. As you say visibly it's difficult to determine if the switches are in the off position! 

 

I have another issue in that neither of the near side passenger windows or mirror work anymore! So I've used VCDS this afternoon but there didn't appear to be any error codes for wipers or windows ? Though I'm wondering if I've disturbed the common earth when I fitted a tow bar a few weeks ago?

I don't think there is anything in this log referring to the wipers?

Log-ND12 OLC-TMBMF73T7D9008712-294050km-182714mi-0001.txt

2 hours ago, Derbyshirebod said:

Yes I do have an air freshener hanging form the switch though I wouldn't have said it's heavy enough to impair the spring action? I've counted the switch positions in both directions in both axis. As you say visibly it's difficult to determine if the switches are in the off position! 

 

I have another issue in that neither of the near side passenger windows or mirror work anymore! So I've used VCDS this afternoon but there didn't appear to be any error codes for wipers or windows ? Though I'm wondering if I've disturbed the common earth when I fitted a tow bar a few weeks ago?

Many an obscure electrical problem on SIIs can be down to well know problem of damaged wire(s) in door loom. When mine went in driver's door was fortunate it simply disabled main speaker in that door rather than any important functionality (although amazing how annoying mono output becomes after a while!) Could explain your passenger window and mirror issue (might even be driver's door loom which sees the most stick as there's I believe a common controller in that door) but struggle to see how that would impact on rear wiper.

 

Concern with the air freshener wasn't weight, more concerned cord could jam in the ball joint in steering wheel cover preventing it moving as intended.  Unlikely but not impossible.

 

Still sounds to me like could be issue with the stalk mechanism not doing what it should.  Wonder if you can find replacement one from a breaker or ebay at sensible price to try swapping out?

 

WRT VCDS, was wondering if any way to view live data coming from the stalk rather that seeing any fault code