Windshield Wiper System Malfunction
Windshield Wiper System Malfunction
Diagnostic Instructions
* Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
* Review Strategy Based Diagnosis Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
* Diagnostic Procedure Instructions Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.
Diagnostic Fault Information
Circuit/System Description
The body control module (BCM) controls the wiper motor based on input from the windshield wiper washer switch. The BCM monitors the wiper washer switch through three separate signal circuits and a ground circuit. The windshield wiper switch high signal circuit is used to determine high speed wiper operation, the windshield wiper switch low signal is used to determine low speed, intermittent, and mist operation through the use of a resistor ladder, and windshield washer switch signal circuit is used to determine washer operation.
The BCM controls the windshield wiper motor through two output controls, controlling two relays which determine the desired wiper speed, high or low.
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Wiper/Washer Schematics Electrical Diagrams
Connector End View Reference
Component Connector End Views A/C Compressor Clutch
Description and Operation
Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation (Wiper and Washers) Wiper/Washer System (Wipers and Washers)
Electrical Information Reference
* Circuit Testing Circuit Testing
* Connector Repairs Connector Repairs
* Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
* Wiring Repairs Wiring Repairs
Scan Tool Reference
Control Module References Programming and Relearning for scan tool information
Circuit/System Verification
1. Ignition ON, wiper switch in the OFF position, verify the scan tool Windshield Washer Switch parameter is Inactive.
• If not the specified value, refer to Windshield Wiper Washer System Malfunction Windshield Wiper Washer System Malfunction.
2. Wiper switch in the OFF position, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Off.
• If not the specified value, refer to Multifunction Switch Circuit Malfunction.
3. Wiper switch in the OFF position, verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter is Inactive.
• If not the specified value, refer to Multifunction Switch Circuit Malfunction.
4. Wiper switch in the LO position, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Low.
• If not the specified value, refer to Multifunction Switch Circuit Malfunction.
5. Wiper switch in the HIGH position, verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter is Active
• If not the specified value, refer to Multifunction Switch Circuit Malfunction.
6. Wiper switch in the INT position, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Intermittent.
• If not the specified value, test or replace the multifunction switch.
7. Wiper switch in the INT position, observe the scan tool Wiper Delay Setting parameter while cycling the delay adjustment switch from long delay to short delay. The parameter should cycle between D1 and D5 as each delay position is selected.
• If not the specified value, test or replace the multifunction switch.
8. Wiper switch in the LO position, verify the windshield wipers are cycling at the low speed.
• If the wipers are not operating at the low speed, refer to Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction.
9. Wiper switch in the HIGH position, verify the windshield wipers are cycling at the high speed.
• If the wipers are not operating at the low speed, refer to Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction.
10. Wiper switch in the INT position, cycling the delay adjustment switch from long delay to short delay. Verify the wiper delay time decreases from long delay to short delay as each delay position is selected.
• If the delay does not change as specified, refer to Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction.
Circuit/System Testing
Multifunction Switch Circuit Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the multifunction switch.
2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 20 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 7 and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit test normal, replace the BCM.
3. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Off.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 4 (without N38) or terminal 10 (with N38) for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
4. Verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter Inactive.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal 5 (without N38) or terminal 9 (with N38) for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
5. Install a 3 A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 4 (without N38) or terminal 10 (with N38) and ground. Verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Switch Fault.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
6. Install a 3 A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal 5 (without N38) or terminal 9 (with N38) and ground. Verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter is Active.
• If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the multifunction switch.
Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect windshield wiper relay.
2. Test for less than 20 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 85 and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
3. Test for less than 20 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 87A and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
4. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 87 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test or replace the underhood fuse block.
5. Install a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 86 and the ground circuit terminal 85.
6. Using the multifunction switch, command the low speed wipers ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as commanded.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
7. Ignition OFF, disconnect the windshield wiper speed control relay.
8. Test for less than 2 ohms between the control circuit terminal 30 at the windshield wiper relay and the control circuit terminal 30 at the windshield wiper speed control relay.
• If greater than the specified range, replace the underhood fuse block.
9. Connect the windshield wiper relay.
10. Test for less than 20 ohms between the control circuit terminal 30 and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test or replace the windshield wiper relay.
11. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 85 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test or replace the underhood fuse block.
12. Install a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 30 and ground.
13. Using the multifunction switch, command the low speed wipers ON. The test lamp should turn illuminate.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, replace the windshield wiper relay.
14. Install a test lamp between the B+ circuit terminal and the control circuit terminal 86.
15. Using the multifunction switch, command the high speed wipers ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as commanded.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
16. Ignition OFF, connect the windshield wiper speed control replay. Disconnect the harness connector at the windshield wiper motor.
17. Test for less than 20 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 4 and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
18. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 2 and ground.
19. Using the multifunction switch, command the low speed wipers ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as commanded.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the windshield wiper speed control relay.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the windshield wiper speed control relay.
20. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 1 and ground.
21. Using the multifunction switch, command the high speed wipers ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF as commanded.
• If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the windshield wiper speed control relay.
• If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the windshield wiper speed control relay.
22. Wipers OFF, verify a test lamp illuminates between the signal circuit terminal 3 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
23. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the windshield wiper motor.
Component Testing
Multifunction Switch
1. Disconnect the X1 harness connector at the multifunction switch.
2. With the wiper switch in the HIGH position, test for less than 2 ohms between the low reference terminal 7 and the signal terminal 5 (without N38) or terminal 9 (with N38).
• If greater than the specified range, replace the windshield wiper washer switch.
3. While cycling the wiper switch through each delay and speed position, test for the specified resistance between the low reference terminal 7 and the signal terminal 4 (without N38) or terminal 10 (with N38).
Note:
If the switch tests open in any switch position other than Off, test the signal circuits for a short to voltage before replacing the switch.
If any switch position is not within the specified range, replace the windshield wiper washer switch.
Windshield Wiper Motor
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the windshield wiper motor.
2. Install a 25 A fused jumper wire between the control terminal 2 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between the ground terminal 4 and ground.
3. Verify the wiper motor is operating in the low speed mode.
• If the wiper motor is not in the low speed mode, replace the windshield wiper motor.
4. Install a 25 A fused jumper wire between the control terminal 1 and 12 volts. Install a jumper wire between the ground terminal 4 and ground.
5. Verify the wiper motor is operating in the high speed mode.
• If the wiper motor is not in the high speed mode, replace the windshield wiper motor.
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification Verification Tests after completing the diagnostic procedure
* Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement
* Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement
* Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
* Control Module References Programming and Relearning for BCM replacement, setup, and programming