ive got an 81 subaru wagon and the rear defrost, license plate light and rear wipers dont work. the rear hatch isnt the cars original and im guessing its just not plugged into the wiring harness but i have no idea where the bundle of wires goes after it comes out of the rear hatch and into the roof area. i have already pulled the panel off the inside of the hatch so i can see the wires going to the lights and wiper motor but all of those wires seem to be in good shape.

 

also there are two wires that come from inside the roof but are clipped off before they go into the hatch and its unlikely that this is a good thing

 

any other ideas for places to trouble shoot ?

Do you have any rubber conduit running from the roof to the hatch near the hinges?

 

I can't quite tell from your post where the wires are coming out of your hatch and roof. If you had a pic you could save yourself a thousand words and 20 questions.

 

If you don't have a camera, then numbers of wires and colors would be helpful.

yeah the wires from the lights and motor go up to the corner of the hatch and into a little rubber boot which goes out of the hatch into the roof of the car. ill put up a picture tomorrow.