Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Wiper and Washer Systems: Description and Operation

Low Speed
With the ignition switch in ON (II) or START (III), battery voltage is applied to the windshield wiper motor. When you move the wiper switch to LO, the low speed winding of the motor is grounded through the low contact of the wiper/washer switch, and the wipers run at low speed.

Park/OFF
When you turn OFF the wiper switch, ground is provided for the low speed winding of the windshield wiper motor. The ground is provided through the wiper switch, windshield wiper intermittent relay and the cam switch ON the motor to G301. The wipers run at low speed until the cam switch ON the motor moves to PARK, removing the ground. The wipers stop in the park position.

High Speed
When you move the wiper switch to HI, the high speed windings of the windshield wiper motor are grounded through the HI contact of the wiper/ washer switch, and the wipers run at high speed.

Intermittent
When you move the wiper switch to INT, battery voltage is applied through the GRN wire to the integrated control unit. The integrated control unit grounds the coil of the windshield intermittent wiper relay. The relay, in turn, provides ground to the low speed windings of the wiper motor, and the wipers make a single sweep about every five seconds.

Mist
When you push the wiper/washer lever down and hold it, the high speed winding of the windshield wiper motor is grounded through the MIST contact in the wiper/washer switch. The wipers sweep at high speed until the lever is released. The PARK/OFF function then takes over and the wipers stop in the park position.

Washer
When you pull the wiper/washer lever toward you, battery voltage is applied to the windshield washer motor and the integrated control unit. The integrated control unit grounds the coil of the windshield intermittent wiper relay. The relay, in turn, provides ground to the low speed windings of the wiper motor. The washer motor pumps washer fluid on the windshield and the wipers run at low speed until you release the lever. The wipers make one more sweep after the lever is released.