A new one on me #3

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Citroen Berlingo Multispace, as seen many times before.....this time, the tailgate wouldn't latch. Fine, I'll check it out.
Could I also see what was the matter with the rear wiper and washer? OK, no probs.

Its a glove box out job to get to the fuses, but they were all fine. The front wipers and washers were fine too, just the rears dead.
Off came the trim panel.

The tailgate door switch handle (called a pallet) was flapping about a bit, and the central locking was bouncing around so that was a port of call first.
Toddled off to Citroen to get a new pallet (39.69) o_O and a switch too as that was looking the worse for wear (£42).
Fitted that and the central locking still wasn't working, although the solenoid was giving it a try. That turned out to be a bit of beach gravel jamming the lock mechanism......success!

After doing that, much to my surprise the rear wiper and washer came back to life :unsure:.
I didn't really understand that one, so I phoned a pal who is an auto sparky.
He said that the rear tailgate had to be latched, and there had to be someone sitting in the drivers seat for things to behave. Who would have guessed that one?

For sure, this is where specialised knowledge of the marque really is invaluable.......I was thinking along the lines of a new column switch, but at over £300 I wasn't going down that route.
Out of the 15 panel clips, only two survived!

Have a good evening, everyone
John :)
 
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After doing that, much to my surprise the rear wiper and washer came back to life :unsure:.
I didn't really understand that one, so I phoned a pal who is an auto sparky.
He said that the rear tailgate had to be latched, and there had to be someone sitting in the drivers seat for things to behave. Who would have guessed that one?
I had a similar problems with the wipers that wouldn’t work on a Golf that I was doing a service on many years ago. Checked everything and wondered why the owner hadn’t even mentioned it. Turned out that they don’t work with the bonnet up.…..
 
I don't understand how the car knows that the tailgate (or in your case, bonnet) is actually open.
With the lock snapped shut, but the tailgate open, zilch in the wiper dept. I couldn't see any tilt switch or whatever, just the usual C/L connections, wiper motor and number plate lamp wiring.
One of the mysteries of life that will remain just that!
John :)
 
I don't understand how the car knows that the tailgate (or in your case, bonnet) is actually open.
With the lock snapped shut, but the tailgate open, zilch in the wiper dept. I couldn't see any tilt switch or whatever, just the usual C/L connections, wiper motor and number plate lamp wiring.
One of the mysteries of life that will remain just that!
John :)
Looking at a picture of a Golf bonnet switch online, there is an electrical connector going to it. It must have the bonnet switch incorporated in the latch. On the forums, a faulty bonnet switch is often mentioned as the cause of the wipers not working.
 
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