Headlamp

HEADLAMP

The headlamp washer system (also known as the Headlamp Cleaning System/HCS) is designed to provide the vehicle operator with a convenient, safe, and reliable means of maintaining headlamp lighting performance. The various components of this system are designed to convert electrical energy produced by the vehicle electrical system into the hydraulic action of the washer system to apply washer fluid stored in an on-board reservoir to the lenses of the two front lamp units, removing excess accumulations of snow, ice, bugs, mud, or other minor debris from the front lamps that might be encountered while driving the vehicle under numerous types of inclement operating conditions.

The vehicle operator initiates the headlamp washer system function using the control knob on the end of the multi-function switch control stalk that extends from the left side of the steering column, just below the steering wheel. While the headlamps are turned ON, pushing the knob on the end of the control stalk towards the steering column beyond the actuation point for more than about 100 milliseconds (0.10 second) activates the headlamp washer pump/motor in combination with the front washer pump/motor. When the headlamp washer pump/motor unit is energized, hydraulic pressure builds within the headlamp washer system plumbing against the pressure of the return spring in each headlamp washer nozzle. Sufficient pressure causes the headlamp washer nozzles to telescope outward and to dispense high pressure washer fluid onto the lenses of both front lamp units for about 760 milliseconds (0.76 second).

Headlamp washer system operation is completely controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM) (also known as the Signal Acquisition and Actuation Module/SAM) logic circuits based upon electronic wash command message inputs received from the Steering Control Module (SCM) (also known as the steering column module/MRM) based upon the multi-function switch position, and upon hard wired inputs from the headlamp switch (also known as the rotary light switch module) on the instrument panel. The BCM will only allow this system to operate when the ignition switch is in the ON position and the headlamps are turned ON. The BCM uses high side drivers to energize or de-energize the headlamp washer system relay which, in turn, controls the operation of the headlamp washer pump/motor unit.

The hard wired circuits and components of the headlamp washer system may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the headlamp washer system or the electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide some features of the headlamp washer system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the headlamp washer system or the electronic controls and communication related to headlamp washer system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.