The other day I experienced the read window wiper running in my GK EX when it was clearly turned off on the stem control arm. I had just started up in the garage, and my wife had been driving in the rain and using the rear wiper. I turned it off, but it still kept running for awhile, maybe a minute. Has anyone else experienced this? I doesn't happen in any predictable way.

 

I don't know if this is the same situation you have experienced, but I noticed the other day that while I was backing out, in the rain, with my front wiper on, the back started working as well, and did not cut-off until I went into Drive. My Son pointed out that our Honda Odyssey did the same thing, which was news to me. It must be a safety issue, and Honda is just assuming since you have your front wiper on, and backing up, that you need to clear the back window as well.

 

That's VERY helpful! I suspect you are correct. I was in reverse when this happened. It's probably covered in the owner's manual--just as are a thousand other things! I appreciate the answer.

 

Yup, it's for safety purposes that the rear wiper comes on when you're in reverse if you have the front wipers on already.

 

my 2013 does it, my commo platoon buddy's 2012 did it, my moms crz does it, and my dads 2013 accord does it.

It is a pretty nifty feature if you ask me. Someone most people dont ask for or even look for. Its like a nice little bonus feature lol

 

::RESURRECTED THREAD ALERT::

Sorry I just had to vent. I just discovered the rear wiper makes a pass or two when the fronts are turned on and you mash it into reverse ... so so cool.

 

My '09 did it too. I guess we know now who didn't bother to read the owner's manual.

 

Actually I read it a month before I bought the car, but I guess I missed that part. Oh well.

 

The rear wiper on the Honda Fit comes on when backing up, regardless of whether the front wipers are on or not. It's a convenience and safety issue Honda decided customers needed.

Or at least, all GE fits were that way. My 2010 Sport wipers came on whenever I put it into reverse... rain, snow, hail, sunshine... whether the front wipers were on or off.

However, they never stayed on. They wiped the rear window two or three times and stopped until either the front wipers were turned on, or until the rears were turned on manually.

My owner's manual stated this was normal operation, and to be expected.

 

That's really weird. My rear wipers ONLY come on in reverse when the front wipers are turned on, both on my '09 and my '15.

 

on my 2015, it works like the manual states on page 127...

when shifting into reverse (regardless of what the rear wiper switch is set to):

If front wipers are OFF, rear wiper stays OFF
If front wipers are on INT, rear starts on INT
If front wipers are ON, rear wiper goes ON

The rear wiper turning on when shifting into reverse, even if front wipers are off (like most days) sounds like a problem... Wipers dont like dry windshields Just re-read and you said that your manual states that its normal... seems very weird....

 

Yup! Mine came on and swiped 2-3 times regardless of whether the fronts were on or not. Maybe Honda gave some peeps auto "easter eggs," and some didn't get them!

One of my dad's neighbors saw and inquired about my GE and decided to purchase one... his rear wiper functioned the same as mine. He asked me about it not knowing whether it was normal or not.

Maybe Honda started my specific GE wiper actions after the 2009 model?

 

Doesn't matter now... I no longer own my GE!

Still, when I get time I'm going to grab the ol' GE manual out of complete curiosity at this point... to see if I read wrong, and if so, to ponder the fact my wipers may have been performing in a defective manner.

 

Yeah, that's not good. I can only imagine the fun it would be if someone needed to replace their rear wiper and removed it before going to the auto store to buy the replacement. You may hear some choice words while backing out of the driveway.