Volkswagen Rabbit/GTI/Jetta/GLI MkV DIY & FAQ

DIY: Rear wiper delete plug

DIY rear wiper delete

Tools needed:

3/8 socket wrench

2” extension (optional)

10mm socket

13mm socket

Phillips head screwdriver

Needle nose pliers

PB blaster

Towel/rag

Cleaning solution

Supplies:

Clear silicone

zip ties (optional)

1” nylon hole plug(PURCHASE AT LOWE’S. on package says made by hillman 1″ nylon hole plugs black. comes in quantity of 2 and costs like $1.39 for the pack. can be found in the drawers next to the nuts and bolts in the hardware section)(*****UPDATE. today at home depot i found a similar cap that would do the job in the hardware section pretty well tucked away. although it was only available in white not black.)

PICS AT BOTTOM

: pop off cover from base of rear wiper and remove 13mm bolt

(Try to remove wiper arm, if it’s stuck in place spray with PB blaster and continue)

: open hatch and remove 2 Phillips head screws (one in each handle)

: remove covers to gain access to rear light bulbs

: start from bottom left or bottom right corner of hatch and pull from handle and hole for light releasing the clips holding the panel to the hatch, repeat on other side, then release the top of the panel by the glass. There isn’t really anyplace to grab but I grabbed both sides and put my head against the glass and pulled down to remove the panel.

: If all 10 clips did not stay attached to the panel take the needle nose pliers and your rag and pry them off. I used the rag to protect the paint under the panel. Then I reattached the clips to the panel.

: disconnect wiring harness from motor; also disconnect fluid hose that attaches to motor. (Have towel handy incase of any fluid that might drip out (I had a few drips but nothing major)

: remove 3 10mm nuts/washers holding motor to hatch (don’t worry about it falling out, it’s held in pretty good)

(If your wiper arm was stuck earlier try to pull it off again. If it still doesn’t come out continue)

: grab onto motor with 2 hands and start to pull it down and wiggle it off the car. Have a little patience doing this part. The motor should come off (and if your wiper arm was still attached it should pop off and slide down the glass on the hatch and rest on the spoiler)

: Now that the motor and wiper is removed pull out the rubber gasket that is still attached to the glass

: clean the area around where the wiper was attached on the inside and the outside.

: take your plug and apply a thin line of clear silicone underneath the outer lip, lower hatch and pop plug into place. You should see some silicone all the way around the outside of the plug. This is good because you know it will make a waterproof seal. Let dry overnight and remove extra silicone)

: Before re-installing the interior panel I zip tied the wiring harness and fluid line to the other wires inside so they wouldn’t be rattling on the interior panel. Also if you can’t find something to plug up the fluid line I just wrapped a paper towel around the end just in case anything else decides to drip out.

: after that’s all taken care of line up the interior panel and snap it back into place and re-install the 2 screws and you’re ready to go. Just put the motor and rear arm with all the small bolts that you took off and put them into a 1gal zip lock bag if you plan on keeping the wiper assembly.

inside of rear panel

inside of hatch with motor removed

great success!!!!

removed parts

NO VAGCOM IS NEEDED WHEN PERFORMING THIS MODIFICATION, once the motor is disconnected the rear wiper becomes disabled and fluid will not come out of the hose if accidentally triggered.