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Thread: Which relay controls rear wiper?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Yarmouth, Maine
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    112
    My Cars
    1999 528it

    Which relay controls rear wiper?

    BMW relay.jpg

    I've searched here and elsewhere and failed to find a definitive answer to my question. Can anyone tell me which relay is for the rear wiper in a '99 528it, assuming it is one of those in the picture above? If not in the right rear corner, where is it located? And is there another relay I can borrow from elsewhere in the car that I can swap to see if my relay is at fault?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
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    Gardner MA
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    313
    My Cars
    2003 525iT, 2008 328xiT
    What is the actual problem? You did not tell us what the issue is.

    Although the relay is possibly bad, more than likely it is a wiring issue in the hinges if the wiper is not working. It is a VERY common issue.

    Other possibilities are the motor or microswitch on the motor.

    But let us know what the real symptoms are.
    2003 525iT Automatic, Topas Blue Exterior, Gray Leather Interior, Sports Suspension, Sports Seats, M 3 spoke Steering Wheel.
    2008 328xi E91 (wagon) Automatic, Barberatot Metallic Exterior, Terracotta Leather Interior.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Yarmouth, Maine
    Posts
    112
    My Cars
    1999 528it
    Rear wiper inoperative. Wiring looks fine though, obviously, the wires may be separated within the insulation. Fuses okay. No power to the wiper motor. Relay is easiest to rule out, hence the original request.

    But while we're at it, can anyone tell me where the plug is located (beneath the headliner?) for the end of each run of wires going through the hinges? If it is readily accessible, it would be far simpler to check continuity on each wire to confirms its condition.

  4. #4
    geargrinder's Avatar
    geargrinder is offline Having No Trouble Here BMW CCA Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    AndoverRockport MA & Intl
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    E46M3Cic E39.540iT E84X1
    Now youre on to the right look. Anything busted in the hatch the first look is to the wiring bundles in the hinges usually.

    No there's no easy "quick disconnect just inside the headliner" for the hatch. Why not I can't say, its true of all other German wagons too, I guess they assume the wires should never go bad and the hatch never needs replacing. It's a completely suckfest though. Same deal w/ my old Audi wagons. Man it'd be great if there were a couple nice clean disconnects inside the headliner.

    That said... wiper relay is "K11", you should be able to maybe do same kind of test from the relay terminals. FWIW those BMW color coded relays are (AFAIK) standardized so you can always swap 2 light greens etc. However a seldom used one like the rear wiper I wouldn't expect to crap out honestly.

    K11 gets powered by F1, and switched on by the General Module and the rainsensor.

    http://www.bmw-planet.net/diagrams/r...000011074.svgz

    The GM apparently switches it on based on instruction received from the rear wiper/wash module, which in turn is controlled by the stalk. There's 2 versions of this diagram before/after 1999/03 build date but only change seems to be stalk pinout numbers.

    http://www.bmw-planet.net/diagrams/r...000008812.svgz

    - - - Updated - - -

    Wiper relay. Oddly located in the e-box.

    http://www.bmw-planet.net/diagrams/r.../E39_EK11A.htm
    2003 M3CicM6 TiAg
    2002 540iT Sport Vortech S/C 6MT LSD TiAg
    2008 Audi A3 2.0T DSG (the daily beater)
    2014 BMW X1 xDrive28i (wifemobile)

    Former:

    1985 MB Euro graymarket 300SL
    1995.5 Audi S6 Avant (utility/winter billetturbobattlewagen)


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