General Description
INTRODUCTIONFollowing are general descriptions of the major components in the wiper and washer systems.
SYSTEM OPERATION
Windshield Wiper System
An intermittent windshield wiper system is standard equipment. This system lets the driver select from either of two wiper speeds, or the intermittent wipe mode. The intermittent wipe mode allows the driver to select a delay between wipes of about two seconds to about fifteen seconds.
The windshield wipers will operate only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions. A fuse located in the fuse block module protects the circuitry of the windshield wiper system.
Windshield Washer System
A electrically operated windshield washer system is standard equipment. A reservoir in the engine compartment holds the washer fluid, which is pressurized by a pump when the windshield washer (multi-function) switch is actuated. The windshield washer pump feeds the pressurized washer fluid through the washer system plumbing to the windshield washer nozzles.
An optional low washer fluid warning lamp on the instrument panel will warn the driver when the washer fluid level needs to be checked.
The washers will operate only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions. A fuse located in the fuse block module protects the circuitry of the washer system.
Wiper Arm And Blade
All Ram van/wagon models have two 45.72 Centimeter (18-inch) windshield wiper blades with replaceable rubber elements (squeegees) These wiper blades include an anti-lift feature. The wiper blades and squeegees must be oriented correctly when installed on the wiper arms for the anti-lift feature to be effective.
Caution should be exercised to protect the rubber squeegees from any petroleum-based cleaners or contaminants, which will rapidly deteriorate the rubber. If the squeegees are damaged, worn, or contaminated, they must be replaced.
Wiper squeegees exposed to the elements for a long time tend to lose their wiping effectiveness. Periodic cleaning of the squeegees is suggested to remove deposits of salt and road film. The wiper blades, arms, and windshield should be cleaned with a sponge or cloth and windshield washer solvent, a mild detergent, or a non-abrasive cleaner. If the squeegees continue to streak or smear, they should be replaced.
The blades are mounted to two spring-loaded wiper arms. Spring tension of the wiper arms controls the pressure applied to the blades on the glass. The wiper arms are secured by an integral latch to the two wiper pivots on the cowl plenum cover/grille panel at the base of the windshield. The wiper arms and blades cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
Wiper Linkage And Pivot
The wiper linkage and pivot module is secured with screws to the cowl top panel beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel. The wiper motor is mounted on the engine compartment side of the cowl plenum panel. The wiper motor output shaft and crank arm are installed through a hole in the cowl plenum panel into the cowl plenum area, where they connect to the wiper linkage.
The two wiper pivot crank arms and the wiper motor crank arm each have ball studs on their ends, the left pivot ball stud is the longer of the three. A connecting link with a plastic socket-type bushing in the right end, and a plastic sleeve-type bushing in the left end, is fit over the pivot ball studs to join the two pivots.
The wiper drive link has a plastic socket-type bushing on each end. One end of the drive link is fit over the exposed end of the longer left pivot ball stud, while the other end is snap-fit over the ball stud on the wiper motor crank arm.
The wiper linkage, pivots, and bushings are only serviced as a complete unit. If any part of this assembly is faulty, the entire unit must be replaced. The wiper motor and wiper motor crank arm are serviced separately.
Wiper Motor
The two-speed permanent magnet wiper motor has an integral transmission and park switch. The motor has a rubber-isolated mounting bracket that is secured with bolts to a reinforcement with weld nuts on the engine side of the cowl plenum panel. The wiper motor output shaft passes through the cowl plenum panel into the cowl plenum area, where a nut secures the wiper motor crank arm to the output shaft.
Wiper speed is controlled by current flow to the appropriate set of brushes. The wiper motor completes its wipe cycle when the wiper/washer (multi-function) switch is turned to the Off position, and parks the blades in the lowest portion of the wipe pattern.
The wiper motor cannot be repaired. If faulty, the entire wiper motor assembly must be replaced. The wiper motor crank arm, mounting bracket, and reinforcement are serviced separately.
Multi-Function Switch:
Wiper Switch And Washer Switch
The windshield wiper and washer switches are contained in the multi-function switch assembly. The multi-function switch assembly is mounted to the left side of the steering column. This switch contains circuitry for the following functions:
- Turn signals
- Hazard warning
- Headlamp beam selection
- Headlamp optical horn
- Windshield wipers
- Windshield washers.
The information contained addresses only the switch functions for the wiper and washer systems. However, the multi-function switch cannot be repaired. If any function of the multi-function switch is faulty, or if the switch is damaged, the entire switch assembly must be replaced.
Intermittent Wipe Module
In addition to low and high speed, the intermittent wipe system has a delay mode. The delay mode has a range of about two to fifteen seconds.
The length of the delay is selected with a variable resistor in the wiper (multi-function) switch, and is accomplished by electronic circuitry within the intermittent wipe module. If the washer knob is depressed while the wiper switch is in the Off position, the intermittent wipe module will operate the wiper motor for approximately two wipes and automatically turn off the motor.
The intermittent wipe module is snap-fit onto a single blade-type mounting bracket located under the instrument panel. The module cannot be repaired and, if faulty, must be replaced.
Washer Reservoir
The washer fluid reservoir is secured to the left radiator closure panel near the battery and the coolant reserve bottle in the engine compartment. The washer pump and motor unit has a threaded nipple, which is installed through a rubber grommet seal inserted in a hole in the bottom of the reservoir. A plastic nut and washer secure the washer pump nipple from inside the reservoir, and is accessed through the reservoir filler neck.
The reservoir also has a provision for a low washer fluid level sensor. The reservoir and filler cap are each available for service.
Washer Pump
The washer pump and motor are mounted near the bottom of the washer reservoir. A threaded nipple on the pump housing passes through a grommet in the bottom of the reservoir A nut and washer is installed on the nipple from the inside of the reservoir.
A permanently lubricated and sealed motor is coupled to a rotor-type pump. Washer fluid is gravity-fed from the reservoir to the pump. When the motor is energized, the pump pressurizes the washer fluid and forces it through the plumbing to the nozzles.
The washer pump and motor unit cannot be repaired. If faulty, the entire washer pump and motor unit must be replaced.
Washer Nozzle And Plumbing
Pressurized washer fluid is fed through a single hose, attached to a barbed nipple on the washer pump. The hose is routed to a tee fitting located in the cowl plenum area, beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel. Hoses from the tee fitting are routed to the lower nipple of an elbow fitting that is snapped onto the mounting plate of each wiper pivot.
The upper nipple of each elbow fitting protrudes above the cowl plenum cover/grille panel near the wiper pivots. A hose attached to the upper nipple of each elbow fitting is routed through a spring-like guard to prevent the hose from kinking. The hose is then routed through a plastic trough-like guard snapped to the underside of each wiper arm to a nipple on the washer nozzle.
The two washer nozzles are snap-fit onto the wiper arms near the wiper blade end and are not adjustable. Each nozzle emits four streams of washer fluid onto the windshield through the entire wipe pattern. The nozzles, tees, and elbows cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.