Wiper and Washer Systems: Description and Operation
GENERAL INFORMATIONWARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELTS/AIR BAGS FOR STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION.
The windshield wipers will only operate with the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY or IGNITION RUN position. The wiper circuit is protected against over loads by a fuse in the fuse block and a circuit breaker within the wiper motor. This protects the circuitry of the wiper system and the vehicle. The wiper motor has permanent magnet fields.
The intermittent wiper system, in addition to low and high speed, has a delay mode and a pulse wipe mode. The delay mode has a range of 1 to 15 seconds. Pulse wipe is accomplished by momentarily moving the stalk lever into the WASH position while the wiper switch is in either OFF or DELAY position. The wiper blades then sweep once or twice and return to the previous wiper switch mode, OFF or DELAY.
The intermittent wiper function is integral to the wiper switch. All electronics and relay are inside the switch assembly.
The wiper system completes the wipe cycle when the switch is turned OFF. The blades park in the lowest portion of the wipe pattern.
The wiper switch also includes the MIST feature which provides a single wipe when actuated.
WIPER BLADES
Wiper blades, exposed to the weather for a long period of time, tend to lose their wiping effectiveness. Periodic cleaning of the wiper blade is suggested to remove the accumulation of salt and road film. The wiper blades, arms, and windshield should be cleaned with a sponge or cloth and a mild detergent or nonabrasive cleaner. If the blades continue to streak or smear, they should be replaced. The right and left wipers are different blade lengths. The driver side length is 550 mm and the passenger side length is 475 mm. The blades should not be interchanged.
WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLE(S)
Windshield Washer Nozzle - Typical:
Windshield Washer Pattern - Typical:
This model is equipped with two hood mounted washer nozzles. Each nozzle emits two streams into the wiper pattern. If the nozzle performance is unsatisfactory they can be adjusted. To adjust insert a pin into the nozzle ball and move to proper pattern. The right and left nozzles are identical.
WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM
All models are equipped with electrically operated windshield washer pumps. The wash function can be accessed in the OFF position of the wiper control switch. Holding the wash button depressed when the switch is in the OFF position will operate the wipers and washer motor pump continuously until the washer button is released. Releasing the button will stop the washer pump but the wipers will complete the current wipe cycle. Followed by an average of two more wipe cycles (±1) before the wipers park and the module turns off.
The electric pump assembly is mounted directly to the reservoir. A permanently lubricated motor is coupled to a rotor type pump. Fluid, gravity fed from the reservoir, is forced by the pump through rubber hoses to the hood mounted nozzles which direct the fluid streams to the windshield.
Windshield Washer Reservoir:
The pump and reservoir are serviced as separate assemblies.