Greetings, just joined the forums after buying a used 2004 E61 530d SE.
After buying it, the car has developed a few issues, one of which is the fact that the rear windshield wiper stopped working this morning.
When I turn it on, I hear the motor working, and the washer works fine. However, the wiper itself doesn't move at all. I can easily move the wiper by hand all the way.
Any suggestions on what this might be?

 

Can you move the wiper with the glass shut? If so your motor is knackered

 

Yeah, I can freely move the wiper all along it's path with both the main tailgate and the window gate closed. How hard would it be to replace the motor you reckon?

 

Easy! Remove the inner tailgate trim and unbolt the motor, simple as that

 

Either that or the peg is missing from the back of the wiper spindle on the inside of the glass

 

Think this is the problem, peg missing or stuck pressed in.
The peg can be pressed as to not cause damage when the wiper is beeing moved when the glass is open. It could be stuck in that position.

 

Guess that's it. Just had a look in the dark, and I see a pin stuck all the way in the mechanism that's attached to the actual window. I would assume that's the pin, and that it is supposed to fit into the round slot for it in the disc located in the actual tailgate?

How would I get it out, and by looking at it (I can see this might happen more often), how do I prevent this from happening again?

Good call guys, appreciate it!

 

There is a spring on it, so it should come back up. Probably some dirt in it.
Taking it apart and then cleaning it sould solve the issue.

 

or just WD40 it!