X5 E70 Rear Wiper Will Not Stop Even With The Car Off?
 

Sup Guys,

My wife ran into a weird problem on my 2010 X5 (E70) last night. She turned the rear wiper on yesterday as it was raining. However, when she got home, shut off the car and pulled the key out of the ignition the rear wiper stayed on. When she mentioned it to me, i thought it would shut off after a few minutes so i didnt think much of it. This morning I noticed the rear wiper was still going. I turn the car on and and pull the wiper lever towards me and nothing happens. I tried pushing, pulling the lever. Each time i feel the detent but the rear wiper doesnt shut off. :dunno:

After i exhausted all measures with the lever and fearing my battery would drain, i decide to pull the negative cable from the battery thinking perhaps this would maybe reset the wiper. I wait a minute, when i reconnect the negative cable the rear wiper goes back on.

I used the rear wiper several times but never encountered this problem. Anyone know what it might be?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

anyone?

Strange problem,no idea,what it could be.My guess is either the control module has gone "mad" (that must be the KBM,base body module),or the return switch contacts on the motor itself had somehow fused together.

Thanks Bawareca,

What is a control module? Is that like a relay? Where is it located?

I believe the front and rear wipers are controlled by the KBM,which is plugged in the back of the front fuse box,behind the glovebox.There are only a few mechanical relays in these cars,most consumers are controlled by electronic switches inside the control modules.
If it were me I would unplug the rear wiper motor and check if the wiper will move if voltage is sent to the connector.

Guys,

I noticed when re-attaching the negative battery cable the rear wiper would go on and i hear a high pitch whine coming from the front passenger fuse panel. i accessed the front fuse panel and realized the rear wiper relay was making the sound. As soon as i removed it the whine stopped and so did the rear wiper. Upon further inspection of the relay and slot where the relay snaps in i noticed some sought of a green build up (see snapshot below). I got a replacement relay from pep boys and popped it in but unfortunately got the same result, the rear wiper went on (with the car being off) and the high pitch whine started up again. I am not certain whats causing this or how to fix it. If you guys can offer some help i would greatly appreciate it.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psqxetl2yx.png

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psngsncfuo.jpg

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pssotcdz58.jpg

The relay high frequency on/off is usually a sign of a missing ground somewhere.Is it making the same thing with the ignition off?Also I would still recommend you to check the rear wiper motor itself.Water intrusion there is much more likely,and this happening after the rain makes sense.Or you may go on and open the fuse box to check for a water intrusion there.

I my vote is for checking the fuse panel for signs of water first. I had water ingress in my rear fuse panel which resulted in some crazy behaviour. Ended up stripping the panel into its individual parts and cleaning the resultant corrosion and other residue with electrical contact cleaner before reassembly - worked a treat. I say this because I had the same green copper type residue on my rear fuse panel...perhaps you have a blockage in the drains under your front cowling? That's been known to result in water in the front passenger foot well (leaves etc collect in the area below the front windshield).

I had this exact same problem with our 2007 4.8i.
It was due to the sunroof drains being plugged, and water dripping directly in to the passenger footwell fuse area. I used contact cleaner and rubbing alcohol to clean the relay inputs on the panel, and replaced my relay. That fixed it.

Sure is awkward when your rear wiper won't stop even when the car is off.

Thanks for the info. Did your rear wiper stay on even when the car is off?