Part 1
WIPERS/WASHERSFRONT
DESCRIPTION
An electrically operated intermittent front wiper and washer system is standard factory-installed safety equipment on this model. The front wiper and washer system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail:
- Front Control Module (3) - The Front Control Module (FCM) is integral to the Integrated Power Module (IPM). The FCM/IPM is located in the engine compartment, near the battery.
- Front Washer Nozzle (1) - Two fluidic front washer nozzles are secured by integral latch features to dedicated openings in the hood panel near the base of the windshield. Each nozzle includes an integral front washer system check valve.
- Front Washer Plumbing - The plumbing for the washer system consists of rubber hoses and molded plastic fittings. The plumbing is routed to the engine compartment from the washer reservoir. The front washer hose is routed along the left side of the engine compartment to the dash panel, then across the underside of the hood panel to the washer nozzles.
- Front Wiper Arms & Blades (7) - The two front wiper arms are secured with nuts to the threaded ends of the two wiper pivot shafts, which extend through the cowl plenum cover/grille panel located near the base of the windshield. The two front wiper blades are secured to the two wiper arms with an integral latch, and are parked on the glass near the bottom of the windshield when the front wiper system is not in operation.
- Front Wiper Module (4) - The wiper pivot shafts are the only visible components of the front wiper module. The remainder of the module is concealed within the cowl plenum beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel. The wiper module includes the wiper module bracket, three rubber-isolated wiper module mounts, the wiper motor, the wiper motor crank arm, the wiper drive link, the wiper connecting link and the two wiper pivots.
- Rain Sensor Module (5) - A Rain Sensor Module (RSM) is used on models equipped with the optional automatic wiper feature. The RSM is located on a bracket bonded to the inside surface of the windshield glass, just below the upper windshield opening header near the center of the glass.
- Right Multi-Function Switch - The right (wiper) multi-function switch is secured to and directly connected to the Steering Control Module (SCM), on the steering column just below the steering wheel. Only the switch control stalk extending from the right side of the steering column is visible, while the remainder of the switch is concealed beneath the steering column shrouds. The right multi-function switch is dedicated to providing all of the driver controls for both the front and rear wiper and washer systems.
- Steering Control Module (6) - The Steering Control Module (SCM) is secured to the top of the steering column, just below the steering wheel and is completely concealed beneath the steering column shrouds.
- Washer Fluid Level Switch - The washer fluid level switch is located in a dedicated hole on the lower, outboard side of the washer reservoir, ahead of the left front wheel house splash shield.
- Washer Pump/Motor - The reversible electric washer pump/motor unit is located in a dedicated hole on the lower, outboard side of the washer reservoir, ahead of the left front wheel house splash shield. This single washer pump/motor provides washer fluid to either the front or rear washer system plumbing, depending upon the direction of the pump motor rotation.
- Washer Reservoir (2) - The washer reservoir is concealed between the left inner fender shield and the left outer fender panel, ahead of the left front wheel house splash shield. The filler neck and cap are the only visible components of the reservoir and, are accessed from the left front corner of the engine compartment.
- Wiper High/Low Relay - The wiper high-low relay is an International Standards Organization (ISO) micro relay located in the IPM in the engine compartment near the battery.
- Wiper On/Off Relay - The wiper on-off relay is an International Standards Organization (ISO) micro relay located in the IPM in the engine compartment near the battery.
Hard wired circuitry connects the front wiper and washer system components to the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the front wiper and washer system components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures,
further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
REAR
An electrically operated fixed interval intermittent rear wiper and washer system is standard factory-installed equipment on this model. The rear wiper and washer system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail:
- Front Control Module (1) - The Front Control Module (FCM) is integral to the Integrated Power Module (IPM). The FCM/IPM is located in the engine compartment, near the battery.
- Rear Washer Nozzle (3) - The fluidic rear washer nozzle is integrated into the Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) located on the liftgate outer panel above the liftgate flip-up glass. The rear washer nozzle includes an integral check valve.
- Rear Washer Plumbing - The plumbing for the rear washer system consists of rubber hoses and molded plastic fittings. The plumbing is routed along the left side of the engine compartment from the washer reservoir, through the dash into the passenger compartment, up the left cowl side and A-pillar where it is connected to a hose integral to the headliner that runs from the A-pillar to the rear washer nozzle on the upper liftgate header.
- Rear Wiper Arm & Blade (5) - The single rear wiper arm is secured by a nut directly to the rear wiper motor output shaft, which extends through the center of the liftgate outer panel near the base of the liftgate flip-up glass. The rear wiper blade is secured to the rear wiper arm with an integral latch, and is parked off of the glass when the rear wiper system is not in operation.
- Rear Wiper Arm Park Ramp - The molded rubber rear wiper arm park ramp is secured with a screw to the liftgate outer panel to the right of the rear wiper motor output shaft bezel. When the rear wiper system is not in operation, the rear wiper arm is parked off of the glass on this ramp so that it will not interfere with or be damaged by the liftgate flip-up glass operation.
- Rear Wiper Module (4) - The rear wiper module includes the module bracket, two rubber-isolated wiper module mounts and the rear wiper motor. The wiper motor output shaft is the only visible component of the rear wiper module. The remainder of the module is concealed within the liftgate beneath the liftgate glass opening.
- Rear Wiper Relay - The rear wiper relay is an International Standards Organization (ISO) micro relay that is soldered into the Junction Block (JB) in the passenger compartment, underneath the instrument panel on the driver side of the vehicle.
- Right Multi-Function Switch - The right (wiper) multi-function switch is secured to and directly connected to the Steering Control Module (SCM), on the steering column just below the steering wheel. Only the switch control stalk extending from the right side of the steering column is visible, while the remainder of the switch is concealed beneath the steering column shrouds. The right multi-function switch is dedicated to providing all of the driver controls for both the front and rear wiper and washer systems.
- Steering Control Module (2) - The Steering Control Module (SCM) is secured to the top of the steering column, just below the steering wheel and is completely concealed beneath the steering column shrouds.
- Washer Reservoir - The rear washer system shares a single reservoir and reversible pump with the front washer system, but has its own dedicated plumbing. The washer reservoir is concealed between the left inner fender shield and the left outer fender panel, ahead of the left front wheel house splash shield. The filler neck and cap are the only visible components of the reservoir and, are accessed from the left front corner of the engine compartment.
Hard wired circuitry connects the rear wiper and washer system components to the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the rear wiper and washer system components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.
OPERATION
FRONT
The front wiper and washer system is designed to provide the vehicle operator with a convenient, safe, and reliable means of maintaining visibility through the windshield glass. The various components of this system are designed to convert electrical energy produced by the vehicle electrical system into the mechanical action of the wiper blades to wipe the outside surface of the glass, as well as into the hydraulic action of the washer system to apply washer fluid stored in an on-board reservoir to the area of the glass to be wiped. When combined, these components provide the means to effectively maintain clear visibility for the vehicle operator by removing excess accumulations of rain, snow, bugs, mud, or other minor debris from the outside windshield glass surface that might be encountered while driving the vehicle under numerous types of inclement operating conditions.
The vehicle operator initiates all front and rear wiper and washer system functions with the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch (1) that extends from the right side of the steering column, just below the steering wheel. Rotating the control knob (2) on the end of the control stalk, selects the OFF, DELAY, LOW, or HIGH front wiper system operating modes. In the DELAY mode, the control knob also allows the vehicle operator to select from one of five intermittent wipe delay intervals. In vehicles equipped with the optional Automatic Wiper System, the DELAY position of the control knob selects the automatic wiper mode, while the five intermittent wipe delay interval positions of the control knob allow the vehicle operator to select from one of five automatic wiper sensitivity levels.
Pulling the control stalk rearward actuates the momentary front washer system switch, which selects the Wash and Wipe-After-Wash modes, depending upon when and how long the switch is held closed. The multi-function switch provides hard wired resistor multiplexed inputs to the Steering Control Module (SCM) for all of the wiper and washer system functions. The SCM then sends electronic messages to the Front Control Module (FCM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus requesting the appropriate front wiper and washer system operating modes.
Front wiper and washer system operation is completely controlled by the SCM and FCM logic circuits, and that logic will only allow these systems to operate when the ignition switch is in the ACCESSORY or ON positions. Battery current is directed from a fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC) and a circuit breaker in the Junction Block (JB) to the wiper on/off and high/low relays in the Integrated Power Module (IPM) through a fused B(+) circuit. The FCM uses low side drivers to control wiper system operation by energizing or de-energizing the wiper high/low and wiper on/off relays. The FCM uses an H-bridge circuit to control the operation of the washer pump/motor unit. The right multi-function switch circuitry receives a clean ground output from the SCM on a multi-function switch return circuit, then provides resistor multiplexed inputs to the SCM to indicate the selected front wiper system and front washer system mode.
The hard wired circuits and components of the front wiper and washer system may be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. However, conventional diagnostic methods may not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the SCM, the FCM or the electronic message inputs to or outputs from the SCM or the FCM that control the front wiper and washer system operating modes. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the SCM or the FCM inputs and outputs related to the various front wiper and washer system operating modes requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool.
OPERATING MODES
Following are paragraphs that briefly describe the operation of each of the front wiper and washer system operating modes.
AUTOMATIC WIPE MODE
If the vehicle is equipped with the optional automatic wiper system and it is enabled, when the control knob on the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch is moved to one of the five sensitivity positions, the SCM sends an electronic wiper switch sensitivity message to the Rain Sensor Module (RSM). The RSM monitors an area within the wipe pattern of the windshield glass for the accumulation of moisture. Based upon internal programming and the selected sensitivity level, when sufficient moisture has accumulated the RSM sends the appropriate electronic wipe command messages to the FCM, then the FCM operates the front wiper system accordingly.
As the sensitivity level is set higher, the RSM is more sensitive to moisture accumulation and will send wipe commands more frequently. The third (middle) sensitivity position of the control knob is designed to provide optimal wiper performance for most typical driving requirements. The FCM logic is also programmed to provide an immediate wipe cycle each time the control knob on the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch is moved from the OFF position to one of the five sensitivity positions, and another immediate wipe cycle each time the control knob is moved from a lower sensitivity position to a higher sensitivity position. Also, if a vehicle is equipped with automatic wipers but the feature has been disabled using the customer programmable features function, when any sensitivity position is selected with the control knob the system will respond in the same manner as in the intermittent wipe mode.
The automatic wiper system also has features designed to protect the mechanical components of the wiper system, and will not allow automatic wiper operation under the following conditions:
- Low Ambient Temperature - When the ambient temperature is below 0°C (32° F), the automatic wipers will not operate during a new ignition cycle until the wiper switch has been moved to a different position than that which was selected at the moment the current ignition cycle began, or until a vehicle speed input is detected.
- Transmission In NEUTRAL - When the transmission gear selector is placed in the NEUTRAL position with the ignition switch in the ON position, the automatic wipers will not operate during the current ignition cycle until the wiper switch has been moved to a different position than that which was selected at the moment the NEUTRAL position was selected, until the vehicle speed is greater than 8 kilometers-per-hour (5 miles-per hour) or until the transmission gear selector is moved out of the NEUTRAL position, whichever occurs first.