Hey, couldn’t find an old thread on this. I have a 01 Cherokee with a rear window wiper that won’t turn. Power is going to the lift gate and when I hit the switch up front I hear an intermittent clicking. I replaced the wiper motor with a new one and the same issue is happening (and this is with everything else off too so there is nothing to stop the motor from spinning.) Somewhere I read that I probably have a short circuit causing the issue, so if anyone had the same issue before where was the short circuit for you? Maybe mine is at the same spot.

Or if anyone knows where the rear wiper motor is supposed to be grounded that would be helpful.

 

Have you checked the wiring that goes from the body to the hatch ?

 

no because I can’t tell where it starts and ends. And I’m afraid to start pulling wires. These Jeeps are getting so old the wiring might disintegrate

 

It's at the top of the hatch in a rubber tube and if the wiring in starting to disintegrate then that's where I would look 1st . The wiring bends there when you open the hatch ,

 

Yep. Pull the rubber tube at each end and inspect the wires. There's probably about a 90% chance that the problem is there. Do NOT pull the wires all the way out. Just splice in new wire as needed.

Just FYI, they all run down the diver side pillar. You have to pull the panel behind the spare tire to get to the other end, but you probably won't need to do that.