Wiper and Washer Systems: Description and Operation
INTRODUCTIONWindshield and rear liftgate glass wiper and washer systems are standard factory-installed equipment on this model.
WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM
An intermittent windshield wiper system is standard equipment on this model. The intermittent wiper system lets the driver select from either of two wiper speeds, low or high, or the intermittent wipe delay mode. A knob on the end of the multi-function switch stalk is rotated to select the desired wiper speed, or the intermittent wipe delay mode and interval.
On models equipped with a base version of the Central Timer Module (CTM), the intermittent wipe mode delay times are driver adjustable from about one-half second to about eighteen seconds. On models equipped with a high-line version of the CTM, the intermittent wipe mode delay times are speed sensitive. Above about sixteen kilometers-per-hour (ten miles-per-hour) the delay is driver adjustable from about one-half second to about eighteen seconds. Below about sixteen kilometers-per-hour (ten miles- per-hour) the high-line CTM doubles the delay time, or provides delays of about one second to about thirty-six seconds. The intermittent wipe mode is provided by delay logic and relay control circuitry contained within the CTM, and an intermittent wipe relay.
The windshield wipers will operate only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or ON positions. A fuse located in the junction block protects the circuitry of the windshield wiper system.
Following are general descriptions of the major components in the windshield wiper system. Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the windshield wiper system.
WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM
An electrically operated windshield washer system is standard equipment. A knob on the end of the multi-function switch stalk is depressed toward the steering column to activate the washer system. A washer reservoir in the engine compartment holds the washer fluid, which is pressurized by a pump when the windshield washer switch is actuated. The windshield washer pump feeds the pressurized washer fluid through the washer system plumbing to the windshield washer nozzles.
A standard equipment low washer fluid warning lamp in the instrument cluster 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 junction block protects the circuitry of the washer system.
Following are general descriptions of the major components in the windshield washer system. Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the windshield washer system.
REAR WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM
A rear wiper and washer system is standard factory-installed equipment on this model. The rear wiper is a single speed intermittent-cycle wiper system. A single rear window switch module in the instrument panel lower bezel contains two separate switches. One switch controls both the rear wiper and washer systems, while the second switch controls the rear window defogger system.
The rear wiper motor has in integral electronic timer module, and is mounted inside the liftgate below the rear window glass. The rear washer system has a dedicated washer pump and plumbing, but shares the windshield washer reservoir located in the engine compartment.
The rear wiper and washer systems will operate only when the ignition switch is in the ON position. A fuse in the junction block protects the circuitry of both the rear wiper and washer systems.
Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more information on the features, use and operation of the rear wiper and washer system.
WIPER ARM AND BLADE
All Durango models have two 50-centimeter (19.69-inch) windshield wiper blades with non-replaceable rubber elements (squeegees). The driver side and passenger side wiper blades are not interchangeable. The driver side blade features an additional bridge, which provides an additional set of claws to retain the wiper squeegees than the six sets of claws used on the passenger side blade. 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. The standard rear wiper uses a single 40.0-centimeter (15.75-inch) wiper blade with a non-replaceable rubber element (squeegee).
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, the entire wiper blade assembly 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 or rear glass should be cleaned with a sponge or cloth and windshield washer fluid, a mild detergent, or a non-abrasive cleaner. If the squeegees continue to streak or smear, the wiper blades should be replaced.
The blades are mounted to spring-loaded wiper arms. The spring tension of the wiper arms controls the pressure applied to the blades on the glass. The windshield wiper arms are secured by a nut to each of the two wiper pivots that protrude through the cowl plenum cover/grille panel at the base of the windshield. The rear wiper arm is secured by a nut directly to the rear wiper motor output shaft on the liftgate below the rear window glass.
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 four screws through four rubber grommet-type insulators to the cowl plenum panel beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel. The wiper motor is secured with screws near the center of the tubular linkage and pivot module bracket, and the wiper pivots are secured to the ends of the module bracket.
The two wiper pivot crank arms and the wiper motor crank arm each have ball studs on their ends. The motor crank arm ball stud is the longer of the three. Two drive links connect the motor crank arm to the pivot crank arms.
The passenger side drive link has a plastic socket- type bushing on each end. The driver side drive link has a plastic socket-type bushing on one end, and a plastic sleeve-type bushing on the other end. The socket-type bushing on one end of each drive link is snap-fit over the ball stud on the crank arm of its respective pivot. The driver side drive link sleeve- type bushing end is then fit over the motor crank arm ball stud, and the second socket-type bushing of the passenger side drive link is snap-fit over the exposed end of the motor crank arm ball stud.
The wiper linkage, pivots, bushings, mounting bracket, and motor are only serviced as a complete unit. If any part of this assembly is faulty or damaged, the entire wiper module must be replaced.
WIPER MOTOR
Front
The two-speed permanent magnet wiper motor has an integral transmission and park switch. The motor also contains an internal automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the motor from overloads.
The motor is secured near the center of the tubular wiper linkage and pivot module bracket with three screws. The wiper motor output shaft passes through a hole in the module bracket, where a nut secures the wiper motor crank arm to the motor output shaft.
Wiper speed is controlled by current flow to the proper set of brushes. The wiper motor completes its wipe cycle when the windshield wiper switch on the end of the multi-function switch stalk is turned to the OFF position, and parks the blades in the lowest portion of the wipe pattern.
The windshield wiper linkage, pivots, bushings, mounting bracket, and motor are only serviced as a complete unit. If any part of this unit is faulty or damaged, the entire wiper module must be replaced.
Rear
The rear wiper motor is secured to a bracket that is fastened to the liftgate inner panel with two screws through two rubber grommet-type insulators, below the rear window glass and behind the liftgate trim panel. The motor output shaft passes through the liftgate outer panel where a rubber grommet and a nut seal and secure the unit to the liftgate outer panel. A plastic cover snaps onto the motor output shaft to conceal the mounting nut. The rear wiper arm is secured directly to the motor output shaft with another nut, which is also concealed by a plastic cover that snaps onto the end of the wiper arm.
The rear wiper motor unit provides a single speed intermittent-cycle operating mode, which is provided by an electronic timer circuit that is integral to the motor unit. The rear wiper motor cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire rear wiper motor assembly must be replaced.
WIPER SWITCH AND WASHER SWITCH
Front
Multi-Function Switch:
The windshield wiper and washer switches are contained in the multi-function switch assembly. The multi-function switch assembly is secured to the left side of the steering column. A knob on the end of the multi-function switch stalk is rotated to select the desired wiper speed or intermittent wipe delay, or depressed toward the steering column to activate the washer system.
The multi-function switch contains circuitry for the following functions:
- Turn signals
- Hazard warning
- Headlamp beam selection
- Headlamp optical horn
- Windshield wipers
- Windshield washers.
The information addresses only the switch functions for the windshield wiper and washer systems. If any function of the multi-function switch is faulty, or if the switch is damaged, the entire switch assembly must be replaced.
Rear
The single two-function rear wiper and washer switch is integral to the rear window switch pod, which includes the rear window defogger switch. The rear window switch pod is installed in the instrument panel lower bezel, which is located near the center of the lower instrument panel, below the heater and air conditioner controls. The rear wiper and washer switch controls the rear wiper and washer functions.
The rear window switch pod also contains the rear window defogger logic and timer circuitry, an amber defogger indicator lamp, the rear window defogger relay, and two switch illumination lamps. The indicator and illumination lamps in the switch pod use incandescent bulbs, which can be serviced.
The sliding-type switch features a detent in the ON position for the rear wiper. Pushing in on the rear wiper switch button activates the momentary rear washer switch. The rear wiper and washer switch also has an integral illumination lamp with a serviceable bulb. Both the rear wiper and rear washer motors will operate continuously for as long as the switch is held in the momentary Wash position.
The rear wiper and washer switch cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the entire rear window switch pod must be replaced.
CENTRAL TIMER MODULE
Two versions of the Central Timer Module (CTM) are available on this vehicle, a base version and a high-line version. The base version of the CTM is used on base models of the vehicle. The base version of the CTM combines the functions of a chime/buzzer module and an intermittent wipe module into a single unit, The base CTM also uses inputs from the door ajar switches, the headlamp switch and the key-in ignition switch to control the output to the dome Tamp circuits, which allows the base CTM to provide load shedding to help protect the battery from becoming discharged.
The high-line version of the CTM is used on high- line vehicles. The high-line CTM provides all of the functions of the base version CTM, but also is used to control and integrate many of the additional electronic functions and features included on the high- line models. The high-line version of the CTM contains a central processing unit and interfaces with other modules in the vehicle on the Chrysler Collision Detection (CCD) data bus network.
The CCD data bus network allows the sharing of sensor information. This helps to reduce wire harness complexity, reduce internal controller hardware, and reduce component sensor current loads. At the same time, this system provides increased reliability, enhanced diagnostics, and allows the addition of many new feature capabilities.
Both the base and the high-line versions of the CTM support the intermittent wipe and wipe-after- wash features, but only the high-line CTM supports the speed sensitive intermittent wipe. The intermittent wipe relay is one of the outputs that both the base and the high-line versions of the CTM can control. Each CTM is programmed to energize or de-energize the intermittent wipe relay in response to certain inputs from the windshield wiper and washer switches and from the windshield wiper motor park switch.
For the speed sensitive intermittent wipe feature, the high-line CTM also uses vehicle speed messages, which are received on the CCD data bus from the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).
Both versions of the CTM are mounted under the passenger side end of the instrument panel, outboard of the instrument panel glove box opening.
See Wiper System for diagnosis of the base version of the CTM. For diagnosis of the high-line version of the CTM or the CCD data bus, a DRB III scan tool and the proper Diagnostic Procedures are recommended. The CTM cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
INTERMITTENT WIPER RELAY
The intermittent wipe relay is a International Standards Organization (ISO) micro-relay. The terminal designations and functions are the same as a conventional ISO relay. However, the micro-relay terminal orientation (or footprint) is different, current capacity is lower, and the relay case dimensions are smaller than those of the conventional ISO relay.
The intermittent wipe relay is a electromechanical device that switches battery current to the windshield wiper motor or wiper motor park switch when the relay coil is grounded by the Central Timer Module (CTM) in response to inputs from the windshield wiper (multi-function) switch.
The intermittent wipe relay is located in the Power Distribution Center (PDC), in the engine compartment. Refer to the PDC label for relay identification and location.
The intermittent wipe relay cannot be repaired and if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
WASHER RESERVOIR
The washer fluid reservoir is integral to and located on the right end of the upper radiator shroud in the engine compartment. Both the washer pump and motor unit and the washer fluid level sensor have barbed nipples, which are installed through a rubber grommet seal inserted in holes on the right end of the upper radiator shroud and reservoir unit. The washer pump and washer fluid level sensor are retained by an interference fit between the barbed nipple and the grommet seal, which is a light press fit.
The washer reservoir has a snap-fit filler cap with a rubber gasket. The cap hinges on and is secured to a molded-in hook formation on the top of the fan shroud, just inboard of the reservoir filler neck. The washer reservoir grommet seals and filler cap are each available for service. The washer reservoir is serviced only as a unit with the upper radiator shroud.
WASHER PUMP
The washer pumps and motors are mounted on the right end of the upper radiator shroud near the bottom of the washer reservoir. A barbed nipple on the pump housing passes through a rubber grommet seal installed in a hole near the bottom of the reservoir. The washer pump is retained by an interference fit between the barbed pump nipple and the grommet seal, which is a light press fit.
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 units cannot be repaired. If faulty, the entire washer pump and motor unit must be replaced.
WASHER FLUID LEVEL SENSOR
The standard washer fluid level sensor is mounted on the right outboard end of the upper radiator shroud near the front of the windshield washer reservoir. A barbed nipple on the sensor is press-fit into a rubber grommet seal installed in a hole in the side of the reservoir.
When the fluid level in the reservoir falls below the pivoting float on the sensor, the float changes position and closes the internal switch contacts of the sensor.
The washer fluid level sensor cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the sensor unit must be replaced.
WASHER NOZZLE AND PLUMBING
Front
Pressurized washer fluid is fed through a single hose, attached to a barbed nipple on the washer pump. The hose is routed from the washer reservoir to the dash panel along the top of the right front wheelhouse inner panel. At the dash panel, the hose passes through a grommet inserted in a hole in the cowl plenum panel to an in-line fitting located in the cowl plenum area, beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel.
A hose from the in-line fitting in the cowl plenum is routed through clips molded into the underside of the cowl plenum cover/grille panel to a wye fitting near the passenger side washer nozzle. Hoses from the wye fitting are routed to the two washer nozzles, which are snap-fit into openings in the cowl plenum cover/grille panel.
The wye fitting includes an integral check valve to prevent the washer fluid from draining from the nozzles back to the reservoir or from leaking out of the nozzles after washer operation is complete. The two fluidic washer nozzles are not adjustable. The nozzles and hose fittings cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
Rear
Pressurized washer fluid is fed through a single hose, attached to a barbed nipple on the rear window washer pump. The hose is routed from the washer reservoir to the dash panel along the top of the right front wheelhouse inner panel. At the dash panel, the hose passes through a grommet in the dash panel into the passenger compartment. Inside the passenger compartment the hose is routed down the right cowl side inner panel to the sill, then along the sill to the right quarter inner panel. The hose is routed along the quarter inner panel and up the right lift-gate opening pillar to the liftgate opening header.
Located near the top of the supply hose routing, beneath the right liftgate opening pillar trim, the hose connects to a check valve. The check valve prevents washer fluid drain-back or siphoning from occurring. From the check valve, another single hose is routed to the liftgate opening header panel. There the hose passes through a grommet out of the liftgate opening header and through another grommet into the top of the liftgate inner panel. Within the lift-gate, the hose is connected to a nipple that protrudes from the fluidic washer nozzle, which is snap-fit into a keyed hole in the top of the liftgate outer panel.
The rear window washer nozzle cannot be adjusted. The nozzle, check valve, and hose fittings cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
SPEED SENSITIVE INTERMITTENT WIPERS
The DN truck equipped with a highline CTM will utilize speed sensitive intermittent wipers. Only a highline CTM will be able to support this feature. A base CTM will provide for intermittent wipers without the speed sensitive feature. The low and high speeds are controlled through the wiper stalk switch. The intermittent portion of the wiper control is handled by the CTM through the intermittent wiper relay. When the module detects a decrease in delay time as selected by the driver, an immediate wipe of the windshield takes place and the new delay interval is implemented.