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
High speed wiper motor operation is controlled by suppling ignition voltage through the wiper switch to the high speed control circuit. In low speed ignition voltage is supplied through the low speed control circuit.
Intermittent, park, and washer wipers are all low speed wiper motor functions controlled through the wiper relay. During intermittent and wash operation the switch signals are inputs to the wiper relay. Whenever the relay is energized ignition voltage will be supplied from the relay through the windshield wiper switch to the wiper motor low speed circuit.
Reference Information
Schematic Reference
Wiper/Washer Schematics (Hatchback) (Wiper/Washer Schematics (Hatchback))Wiper/Washer Schematics (Notchback) (Wiper/Washer Schematics (Notchback))
Connector End View Reference
Component Connector End Views (Connector Views)
Description and Operation
Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation (Wiper/Washer System)
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)
Circuit/System Verification
1. Ignition ON, verify the windshield wipers operate in HIGH and LOW speeds.
• If the windshield wipers are inoperative in one or both speeds, refer to wiper malfunction.
2. Verify the intermittent windshield wipers operate.
• If the windshield wiper intermittent function is inoperative, refer to intermittent wipers malfunction.
3. Verify the windshield wipers park.
• If the windshield wipers do not park, refer to wipers do not park.
Circuit/System Testing
Wiper Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, Disconnect the X2 harness connector at the windshield wiper switch.
2. Test for less than 1ohm between the ground circuit terminal 2 and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
3. Connect the X2 harness connector at the windshield wiper switch. Disconnect the X1 harness connector at the windshield wiper switch.
4. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 8 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance.
5. Ignition OFF, connect the harness connectors at the windshield wiper switch. Disconnect the harness connector at the windshield wiper motor.
6. Test for less than 1ohm between the ground circuit terminal 4 and ground.
• If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
7. Ignition ON, place the wiper switch in the HIGH position, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal 6 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the wiper switch.
8. Place the wiper switch in the LOW position, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal 5 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the wiper switch.
9. If all circuits test normal replace the windshield wiper motor.
Intermittent Wipers Malfunction
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the X1 harness connector at the IP fuse block.
2. Place the wiper switch in the Intermittent position. Test for less than 1ohm between the signal circuit terminal 5 and the ignition circuit terminal 64.
• If greater than the specified range, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the windshield wiper switch.
3. Connect the X1 harness connector and disconnect the X3 harness connector at the IP fuse block.
4. Ignition ON, place the wiper switch in the Intermittent position. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal 13 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the wiper switch.
5. Ignition OFF, connect the X3 harness connector at the IP fuse block. Disconnect the harness connector at the windshield wiper motor.
6. Ignition ON, place the wiper switch in the Intermittent position. Verify that a test lamp illuminates between the control circuit terminal 2 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal replace the wiper relay.
7. If all circuits test normal replace the IP fuse block.
Wipers Do Not Park
1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the windshield wiper motor.
2. Ignition ON, verify that a test lamp illuminates between the ignition circuit terminal 3 and ground.
• If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the ignition circuit for an open high resistance.
3. Test for less than 5ohm between the control circuit terminal 3 and the control circuit terminal 5.
• If greater than the specified range, test both control circuits for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuits test normal, test or replace the wiper relay.
4. If all circuits test normal replace the windshield wiper motor.
Repair Instructions
Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification (Verification Tests) after completing the diagnostic procedure.
* Windshield Wiper and Washer Switch Replacement (Service and Repair)
* Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement (Hatchback) (Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement (Hatchback))Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement (Notchback) (Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement (Notchback))