Wiper and Washer Systems: Description and Operation
WIPERS/WASHERSFig. 1 Front Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Location:
Front Windshield Wiper System
The front windshield wiper/washer switch is mounted on the right side of the multi-function switch, on the steering column, behind the steering wheel.
The wiper system has LOW, HIGH, and INTERMITTENT switch positions. The intermittent wiper system, in addition to low and high speed, has a delay mode and a pulse wipe mode.
The intermittent wiper function is integral to the wiper switch. All electronics and relay are inside the switch assembly. The wiper switch also includes the MIST feature which provides a single wipe when actuated.
Move the control lever up to select the desired wiper speed. Move the lever upward to the second detent for Low speed wiper operation, or to the third detent for High speed operation.
Use the intermittent wiper when weather conditions make a single wiping cycle, with a variable pause between cycles, desirable. Move the lever to the DEL position, then select the delay interval by turning the end of the lever. The delay can be regulated from a maximum of approximately 18 ± 0.5 seconds between cycles, to a cycle every second ± 0.5 second.
The windshield wipers will only operate with the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY or IGNITION RUN position. The wiper circuit is protected against over loads by a fuse in the fuse block and a circuit breaker within the wiper motor. This protects the circuitry of the wiper system and the vehicle. The wiper motor has permanent magnet fields.
The intermittent wiper delay mode has a range of 1 ± 0.5 to 18 ± 0.5 seconds. Pulse wipe is accomplished by holding stalk lever in the WASH position momentarily. The wiper blades then sweep once or twice after the WASH at low speed and then return to the previous wiper switch mode.
The wiper system completes the wipe cycle when the switch is turned OFF The blades park in the lowest portion of the wipe pattern.
Push down on the wiper lever to activate a single wipe to clear off road mist or spray from a passing vehicle. As long as the lever is held down, the wipers will continue to operate.
Front Windshield Washer System
This vehicle is equipped with an electrically operated windshield washer pump. The washers are operated by a switch in the multi-function switch control lever. The lever is located on the right side of the steering column.
The electric pump assembly is mounted directly to the reservoir. A permanently lubricated motor is coupled to an impeller type pump. The pump and reservoir are serviced as separate assemblies.
To use the washer, pull the stalk lever toward you and hold while spray is desired. If the stalk lever is pulled while in the delay range, the wiper will operate for two wipe cycles (± 1) after the stalk lever is released, and then resume the intermittent interval previously selected.
The wash function can be accessed in the OFF position of the wiper control switch. Pulling the washer stalk lever rearward when the switch is in the OFF position will operate the wipers and washer motor pump continuously until the stalk lever is released. Releasing the stalk lever will stop the washer pump but the wipers will complete the current wipe cycle followed by an average of two more wipe cycles (± 1) before the wipers park and the module turns OFF.
If the stalk lever is pulled while in the OFF position, the wipers will operate for two wipe cycles, then turn OFF.
Fluid, gravity fed from the reservoir, is forced by the pump through rubber hoses to the hood mounted nozzles which direct the fluid streams to the windshield.
Rear Windshield Wiper System
The driver controls an electrically operated intermittent rear wiper system with the switch located on the instrument panel accessory switch bezel. The rear wiper is controlled by ignition switched battery current through a fuse in the fuse block, and will operate only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or ON positions.
The intermittent rear wiper system allows the driver to select an intermittent wipe mode. The intermittent wipe mode delay time has a fixed delay interval of about four seconds between sweeps. This system also has a wipe-after-wash feature that operates the rear wiper for as long as the washer pump is energized, then provides about two additional sweeps of the wiper after the washer pump is de-energized.
The rear wiper motor module operates on a separate non-switched battery current feed through a fuse in the fuse block.
The rear wiper system includes the following components:
- Rear wiper and washer switch.
- Rear wiper arm and blade.
- Rear wiper motor module.
A rocker switch located in the accessory switch bezel, below the radio turns the rear wiper ON or OFF. When this switch is pressed the rear wiper will operate at a fixed interval of about four seconds.
Press and hold the switch as long as spray is desired. If the switch is depressed while the wiper is ON, the wipers will operate for a few seconds after the switch is released then resume the previously set mode of intermittent wiper.
NOTE: The washers will stop spraying if the switch is pressed longer than 30 seconds.
Rear Windshield Washer System
The driver controls all rear washer system functions with the switch integral to the accessory switch bezel in the instrument panel. The rear washer system is controlled by ignition switched battery current through a fuse in the fuse block, and will operate only when the ignition switch is in the ACCESSORY or ON positions.
This system has a wipe-after-wash feature that operates the rear wiper for as long as the washer pump is energized, then provides about two additional sweeps of the wiper after the washer pump is de-energized.
The rear washer system shares the washer reservoir of the front windshield washer system. The front washer pump is a two way pump that is reversed depending on which switch is activated.
The rear washer system includes the following components:
- Washer reservoir and pump.
- Wiper and washer switch.
- Rear washer nozzle and plumbing.
The vehicle operator selects the rear washer system functions using the wiper and washer switch, which is located on the instrument panel, accessory switch bezel. The instrument panel switch provides a hard wired ignition switched battery current feed to the rear washer pump for the washer system function.
Press and hold the switch as long as spray is desired. If the switch is depressed while the wiper is ON, the wipers will operate for a few seconds after the switch is released then resume the previously set mode of intermittent wiper.
NOTE: The washers will stop spraying if the switch is pressed longer than 30 seconds.