2007 Outback rear wiper and washer fluid quit

8852 Views 14 Replies 5 Participants Last post by larry engelmann, Mar 9, 2018

m1stertim

Discussion Starter · Apr 26, 2017

Hey guys,

I've googled the heck out of this one but I can't find anybody who had both the wiper motor and the fluid pump for the rear quit at the same time.

For a couple days, it wouldn't return back to start position when I would turn it off, it would just stop wherever it was at that point. Then today, it just quit in the middle of wiping with fluid.

There is no pump noise, no activity whatsoever from either the pump or the wiper motor. There are also no issues with the front wipers or washers.

So, given its failure method, I'm guessing it's an issue with the switch. I've got the FSM, which shows standard resistance for the different positions, but I've got to remove the airbag and steering wheel to even test it, so if yinz have any ideas first that'd be great. I also don't see any part number for the rear switch... if any of yinz know that, that'd be great too. Looks like the whole stalk might be one assembly though?

Additionally, and probably unrelatedly, my rear hatch closed sensor had been intermittently malfunctioning, but that quit when I cleaned the latch area, and has been working fine 100% of the time before this started. But I just thought I'd bring it up. I did inspect the wiring harnesses for the rear hatch and all appeared to be fine.

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rasterman

· #2 · Apr 26, 2017

It's fairly common for the rear wiper to fail on these models due to breaking wires in the flex boot between the body and the rear hatch, near the right side hinge.

That doesn't explain the washer failure, at least not directly. The rear washer is driven by a second electric pump on the reservoir. If the wiper wire broke and grounded itself, the fuse would blow for that branch circuit. I don't know if the rear washer pump and rear wiper are on the same circuit. Naturally that would have to be a different circuit than the front washer since that still works. I haven't got the wiring diagram to check this, but @plain OM does.

The switch on the stalk is the only other candidate I can think of.

plain OM

· #3 · Apr 26, 2017

Broken wire in the boot leads to wiper not parking when turned off. Broken live wire shorts to ground, blows fuse. Blown fuse cuts power to both the rear wiper motor and the rear washer pump.

Probably fuse #23, 15 Amps, in the cabin fuse panel, identified as "Rear Wiper" & "Rear Window Washer" on page 12-7 of the Owners Manual, although there could be another as well.

But repair the broken wire(s) first . . .

Ref: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...-replace-05-outback-hatch-wiring-harness.html

m1stertim

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 26, 2017

rasterman said:
It's fairly common for the rear wiper to fail on these models due to breaking wires in the flex boot between the body and the rear hatch, near the right side hinge.

That doesn't explain the washer failure, at least not directly. The rear washer is driven by a second electric pump on the reservoir. If the wiper wire broke and grounded itself, the fuse would blow for that branch circuit. I don't know if the rear washer pump and rear wiper are on the same circuit. Naturally that would have to be a different circuit than the front washer since that still works. I haven't got the wiring diagram to check this, but @plain OM does.

The switch on the stalk is the only other candidate I can think of.

I do have the wiring diagram, and the rear wiper and washer are on different fuses.

I got more down and dirty with the harness... it looks like that may be the issue indeed. Thanks guys; I'll follow up with that link.

plain OM

· #5 · Apr 26, 2017 (Edited)

m1stertim said:
I do have the wiring diagram, and the rear wiper and washer are on different fuses. . . . .

The FSM show that the rear wiper system uses four fuses. However, a closer look shows that fuse, F/B fuse #23, powers the washer pump (FB-24) and the "keep going to park" power to the motor (FB-23). If the FB-23 "keep going" wire breaks, the wiper motor will still run when the switch is at on, but the motor then stops as soon as the switch is turned off, regardless of its position. That was your first sign of trouble. But note that FB-24 goes not only to the washer motor, but also connection B21 of the BIU, which controls the wiper motor. If the broken wire from FB-23 shorts to ground and blows fuse #23, then the power to the BIU is cut, and the wiper motor won't run at any time, which is the problem you have now.

Reactions: 1

m1stertim

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 26, 2017

plain OM said:
The FSM show that the rear wiper system uses four fuses.

Yes, that's how I read it too, but once I got to the fuse box.... it doesn't. 1 fuse for wiper and fluid like you said.

But anyway, I pulled the whole harness out, spliced every wire with new more flexible wire where it bends, put it back in, replaced the 1 fuse, and everything works flawlessly now.

Thanks for the help, guys; you're the best :smile2:

Reactions: 2

plain OM

· #7 · Apr 27, 2017

@m1stertim

The other three fuses (8, 7, & 31) are for the BIU, not specifically for the wiper. The BIU is involved with the rear wiper and washer (but not the front wiper and washer). When the rear wiper is set to operate intermittently, it runs according to preset timing controlled by the BIU. However, when the transmission is in Reverse, the BIU changes the rear wiper operation to continuous. The other fuses power the BIU and that can affect more than just the wiper, consequently, they're identified in the fuse boxes as BIU fuses rather than wiper-related fuses.

That said, you did a lot of work in a short time; getting the whole harness out and replacing all the wires, then re-installing -- that's really great. Well done!

m1stertim

Discussion Starter · #8 · Apr 27, 2017

plain OM said:
@m1stertim

That said, you did a lot of work in a short time; getting the whole harness out and replacing all the wires, then re-installing -- that's really great. Well done!

Well it wasn't my first time taking off those trim pieces, which is the hardest part IMO (I have a big antenna on the roof, ham radio), and definitely not my first time splicing wires haha. Took a little under 2 hours total.

I would like to know what the snap-into-hole zip-tie thingamabobs are called and if there's a place I can buy more of them... I couldn't figure out a non-destructive way to remove them so I just cut them.

However, when the transmission is in Reverse, the BIU changes the rear wiper operation to continuous.

You know, I saw notes in the FSM about intermittent timing being different based on speed on automatics... this is a manual so I don't have that benefit. I don't think I've reversed in the rain, actually... I'm going to have to try that. I honestly find continuous mode to be useless on the rear wiper - I wish it had 2 different intermittent speeds. Even in the heaviest rain at highway speeds, there's very little hitting the rear window...

rasterman

· #9 · Apr 27, 2017

m1stertim said:
I wish it had 2 different intermittent speeds. Even in the heaviest rain at highway speeds, there's very little hitting the rear window...

I miss the old VW (circa 1980) learning wipers. You triggered them twice manually and it would memorize the interval between triggers and then repeat it until you turned them off or reset the interval.

Best of all it was self-contained in the switch, which was pin-compatible and suitable for retrofit into a fair number of models that weren't originally so equipped.

rustbeltah

· #10 · Apr 27, 2017

Same problem in my 2007 for 2 years now. First wiper stopped, then fluid motor--I am sure it is the harness but honestly cannot be bothered with it a this point as the car works for me and recently bought a new Honda for the family. The defrost still works so I chalked it up to one of the failings of this gen (bad wiring harnesses). Interestingly if you drive for 3+ hours the wiper will start to randomly move.

plain OM

· #11 · Apr 27, 2017

m1stertim said:
. . .
I would like to know what the snap-into-hole zip-tie thingamabobs are called and if there's a place I can buy more of them... I couldn't figure out a non-destructive way to remove them so I just cut them.

They come fitted on the harness from the factory and, as far as I can tell, aren't identified separately in the Subaru parts catalog. However, as an initial guide, Amazon seems to have a selection of generic ones -- search for "Push Mount Car Dome Cable Zip Tie". Moreover, there's some that don't have the long tail: see https://www.amazon.com/Disco-Automo...=Disco+Automotive+8140+Universal+Wire+Routing

You know, I saw notes in the FSM about intermittent timing being different based on speed on automatics... this is a manual so I don't have that benefit. I don't think I've reversed in the rain, actually... I'm going to have to try that. I honestly find continuous mode to be useless on the rear wiper - I wish it had 2 different intermittent speeds. Even in the heaviest rain at highway speeds, there's very little hitting the rear window...

The Owners Manual, on pages 3-45 and 46, refers to the intermittent speed and continuous operation in when in reverse, but you're right, the latter is mentioned only in relation to the automatic transmission. Be interested to find out if either function (variable speed, continuous in reverse) does work with the manual.

m1stertim

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 27, 2017

plain OM said:
They come fitted on the harness from the factory and, as far as I can tell, aren't identified separately in the Subaru parts catalog. However, as an initial guide, Amazon seems to have a selection of generic ones -- search for "Push Mount Car Dome Cable Zip Tie". Moreover, there's some that don't have the long tail: see https://www.amazon.com/Disco-Automo...=Disco+Automotive+8140+Universal+Wire+Routing

Ooh, those look handy. I don't see a mount hole size listed though. I'm not at the car with calipers right now, but it appeared to be about a 1/4" (or 6mm?) hole - is that standard across the board?

The Owners Manual, on pages 3-45 and 46, refers to the intermittent speed and continuous operation in when in reverse, but you're right, the latter is mentioned only in relation to the automatic transmission. Be interested to find out if either function (variable speed, continuous in reverse) does work with the manual.

Well I know that the variable speed doesn't. I just tested the continuous, and it doesn't do it either. I may be wrong here, but isn't the manual transmission *entirely* manual, i.e. the engine doesn't even know what gear it's in? It has the reverse sensor for the back-up lights, but that's it.

rasterman

· #13 · Apr 27, 2017

m1stertim said:
Well I know that the variable speed doesn't. I just tested the continuous, and it doesn't do it either. I may be wrong here, but isn't the manual transmission *entirely* manual, i.e. the engine doesn't even know what gear it's in? It has the reverse sensor for the back-up lights, but that's it.

The reverse gear switch signal applies to both AT and MT. Obviously it runs the lights on the back, but it also gets used for other things: There was an option for an auto-dimming rear view mirror which overrides any dimming when reverse gear is selected. It's not conclusive, but the options page listed on cars101 for the 2007 Outback does not list that mirror as being eligible for automatics only.

I don't know if the ECU makes any use of the signal but I suspect it does not.

plain OM

· #14 · Apr 27, 2017

m1stertim said:
Ooh, those look handy. I don't see a mount hole size listed though. I'm not at the car with calipers right now, but it appeared to be about a 1/4" (or 6mm?) hole - is that standard across the board?

Not sure, but I found a few other, similar (if not identical) kits on Amazon. They have more detailed descriptions that include the hole size (1/4-inch) and reference to corresponding GM part numbers.

Well I know that the variable speed doesn't. I just tested the continuous, and it doesn't do it either. I may be wrong here, but isn't the manual transmission *entirely* manual, i.e. the engine doesn't even know what gear it's in? It has the reverse sensor for the back-up lights, but that's it.

I know it works on my 07 (4EAT). The BIU I/O table doesn't show a distinct input relating to reverse gear, so it's probably a function of the high-speed CAN system that provides control signal links between the TCM, BUI, and ECM.

larry engelmann

· #15 · Mar 9, 2018

I realize this is an older thread but I have a 2006 Outback with a manual transmission and the intermittent wiper function remains while in reverse and doesn't switch to continuous the way it appears the AT transmissions do.

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