1998 V70 AWD, rear wiper arm/sprayer and rear latch fixed

[cvtech]

I wanted to share some knowledge.

For as long as I've owned my V70 the rear wiper never worked. Hit button, nothing. No fluid, no wipe. I noticed the PO removed the fuse from the panel. I hoped it was an easy fix, added fuse...nothing. No fluid no wipe. So I removed the rear paneling, removed the wiper arm and saw the pivot was seized. I disassembled the arm, cleaned and greased the pivot point and arm worked. Now for the fluid. I can hear the pump running but no fluid. Check the line to the rear nozzle and the PO had it pinched under the 3rd brake light. So I removed the brake light and worked the rubber hose back open. I siphoned the line to wiper fluid primed and attached back to jet. All is good!

Now to the rear latch. Recently the rear latch refused to catch to keep the door shut. It was also throwing the "trunk open" light on the dash. There was also a very noticeable rattle from rear door. The rear latch was not catching anymore so the door would bounce and there was a rattle shaker sound like a BIG marracas shaker. The trigger had tension but no grab on the arm near the bumper. I originally assumed it was going to be the spring within the mechanism but it wasn't. The plastic bit that the spring attached to broke. This plastic bit also activates the momentary switch that send the signal back to the dash saying "door closed". So I needed a new one rear latch mechanism. I found one on eBay for a 2000+ XC70/V70. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=111686968749&globalID=EBAY-USThe picture appeared to be similar but part numbers different. I got the part in and noticed it was different enough that it was not a direct swap over. I had to remove the latch from the electronics part and swap that. One difference was that the 2000+ one did not have the child safety lock switch and the a level to open from 3rd row. I am assuming the model XC or V it came off did not have a 3rd row like my 98 V70. I also notice that it was one pin short in the wiring harness. The mechanism swapped directly over. Luckily the old momentary switch was still good. The motor actuator on the old assembly was still good and strong as well. I have an extra now if it ever fails that I verified works with the old. I also ordered new clips off eBay for $11 to attach the panels back. http://www.ebay.com/itm/400932173691

The rattling was a magnet like material that was glued to the inside of the trunk behind the panel. It basically crumbled off into the plastic panels, causing the shaker sound. Cleaned that all up and put new clips on plastic. Now with a new latch holding tight, new clips and cleaned shake, rear hatch is silent.

Now to figure out what oil is being sprayed from the car and causing the rear window to glaze over. See my other recent post for more.