Part 3 of 4

Fig. 6 Washer Fluid Level Switch:

WASHER FLUID LEVEL SWITCH
The washer fluid level switch is a single pole, single throw reed-type switch mounted on the rearward facing side of the washer reservoir, in the right front corner of the engine compartment. Only the molded plastic switch mounting flange and connector receptacle are visible when the switch is installed in the reservoir. A short nipple formation extends from the inner surface of the switch mounting flange, and a barb on the nipple near the switch mounting flange is press-fit into a rubber grommet seal installed in the mounting hole of the reservoir. A small plastic float pivots on the end of a bracket that extends from the switch nipple formation. Within the float is a small magnet, which actuates the reed switch. The washer fluid level switch cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or damaged, the switch must be replaced.

The washer fluid level switch uses a pivoting, oblong float to monitor the level of the washer fluid in the washer reservoir. The float contains a small magnet. When the float pivots, the changing proximity of its magnetic field will cause the contacts of the small, stationary reed switch to open or close. When the fluid level in the washer reservoir is at or above the float level, the float moves to a vertical position and the switch contacts open. When the fluid level in the washer reservoir falls below the pivoting float, the float moves to a horizontal position and the switch contacts close. The switch contacts are connected in series between ground and the washer fluid switch sense input of the instrument cluster. The switch is connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of the headlamp and dash wire harness. The switch receives ground through another take out of the headlamp and dash wire harness with a single eyelet terminal connector that is secured under a ground screw on the dash panel just inboard of the power brake booster in the engine compartment. The washer fluid level switch can be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and methods. (Refer to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/WASHER FLUID INDICATOR - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).

Fig. 2 Wye Fitting And Check Valve:

WASHER HOSES/TUBES
The washer plumbing consists of a small diameter rubber hose that is routed from the barbed outlet nipple of the washer pump/motor on the washer reservoir to a molded plastic in-line fitting with barbed nipples near the left end of the cowl plenum panel in the engine compartment. A second section of washer hose passes from the cowl plenum panel to the rear of the inner hood reinforcement, where the engine compartment hose is connected to one barbed nipple of a molded plastic wye fitting. The other two barbed nipples of the wye fitting joins the engine compartment hose to the two washer nozzle hoses. The two washer hoses are routed with locating clips along the underside of the hood panel to the two washer nozzles.

Washer hose is available for service only as roll stock, which must then be cut to length. The molded plastic washer hose fittings cannot be repaired. If these fittings are faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.

Washer fluid in the washer reservoir is pressurized and fed by the washer pump/motor through the washer system plumbing and fittings to the two washer nozzles. Whenever routing the washer hose or a wire harness containing a washer hose, it must be routed away from hot, sharp, or moving parts; and, sharp bends that might pinch the hose must be avoided.

Fig. 9 Washer Nozzles:

WASHER NOZZLE
The two washer nozzles have integral snap features that secure them in dedicated holes in the rear of the hood panel near the base of the windshield. The domed upper surface of the washer nozzle is visible on the top of the hood panel, and the nozzle orifice is oriented towards the windshield glass. The washer plumbing fittings for the washer nozzles are concealed beneath the hood panel in the engine compartment. These fluidic washer nozzles are constructed of molded plastic. The washer nozzles cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.

The two washer nozzles are designed to dispense washer fluid into the wiper pattern area on the outside of the windshield glass. Pressurized washer fluid is fed to each nozzle from the washer reservoir by the washer pump/motor through rubber hoses, which are attached to a barbed nipple on each washer nozzle below the hood panel. The washer nozzles incorporate a fluidic design, which causes the nozzle to emit the pressurized washer fluid as an oscillating stream to more effectively cover a larger area of the glass area to be cleaned.

Fig. 11 Washer Pump/Motor:

WASHER PUMP/MOTOR
The washer pump/motor unit on the outboard side of the washer reservoir, near the bottom in the left front corner of the engine compartment. A small permanently lubricated and sealed electric motor is coupled to the rotor-type washer pump. A seal flange with a large barbed inlet nipple on the pump housing passes through a rubber grommet seal installed in the dedicated mounting hole near the bottom of the washer reservoir. A smaller barbed outlet nipple on the pump housing connects the unit to the washer hose. The washer pump/motor unit is retained on the reservoir by the interference fit between the barbed pump inlet nipple and the grommet seal, which is a light press fit. An integral electrical connector receptacle is located on the motor housing. The washer pump/motor unit cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire washer pump/motor unit must be replaced.

The two washer nozzles are designed to dispense washer fluid into the wiper pattern area on the outside of the windshield glass. Pressurized washer fluid is fed to each nozzle from the washer reservoir by the washer pump/motor through rubber hoses, which are attached to a barbed nipple on each washer nozzle below the hood panel. The washer nozzles incorporate a fluidic design, which causes the nozzle to emit the pressurized washer fluid as an oscillating stream to more effectively cover a larger area of the glass area to be cleaned.