Principles of Operation
Wipers and Washers
Principles of Operation
The wiper motors receive inputs from the following:
- Multifunction switch
- PCM
- Smart Junction Box (SJB)
- Battery Junction Box (BJB)
The following components are integrated in the wiper motors:
- Windshield wiper motor module
- Run/park relay
- High/low speed relay
- Run/park sense (Hall-effect)
- Washer pump relay
High-Speed Windshield Wipers
When the multifunction switch is set to the high-speed position, it supplies ground to the integral high/low speed relay coil and the integral run/park relay coil, which causes the windshield wiper motor to operate at high speed. During high-speed operation only, both the integral high/low-speed relay coil ground and the integral run/park relay coil ground are controlled directly by the multifunction switch. This differs from low speed or intermittent operation when the integral run/park relay coil is controlled by the microprocessor. When the switch is placed in the OFF position, the motor continues to operate until the motor returns to the PARK position and the internal Hall-effect sensor senses the motor magnet. The output to the integral run/park relay deactivates the relay and disconnects the voltage to the motor.
Since the integral high/low relay coil and the integral run/park relay coil are both controlled by a hard wired circuit to the multifunction switch, the windshield wipers will still operate in high-speed mode if the internal windshield wiper module fails, but will not automatically park when the multifunction switch is turned to the OFF position.
Low-Speed Windshield Wipers
When the multifunction switch is set to the low-speed position, it supplies ground to the internal windshield wiper motor module low-speed inputs and the windshield wiper motor operates at low speed. During low-speed operation, the integral run/park relay is activated by the microprocessor and supplies 12 volts to the low-speed brush of the windshield wiper motor. The integral run/park relay coil ground is controlled by the internal windshield wiper motor module based on inputs received from the multifunction switch. When the switch is placed in the OFF position, the motor continues to operate until the motor returns to the PARK position and the internal Hall-effect sensor senses the motor magnet. The output to the integral run/park relay deactivates the relay and disconnects the voltage to the motor.
Intermittent Speed Windshield Wipers
When the multifunction switch is set to the intermittent position(s), it supplies ground to the windshield wiper motor module inputs and the windshield wiper motor operates in intermittent mode. During intermittent operation, the windshield wiper motor activates the integral run/park relay coil which sends voltage through the integral high/low relay. The integral high/low relay remains deactivated, supplying the voltage to the low-speed brush of the windshield wiper motor. The windshield motor continues to operate until the internal Hall-effect sensor senses the magnet (PARK position) and deactivates the integral run/park relay, which disconnects voltage from the wiper motor. The windshield wipers remain parked until the windshield wiper motor module completes a time-out and then repeats the intermittent windshield wiper cycle.
Speed Dependent Windshield Wipers
The speed-dependent feature increases the frequency of wiping to compensate for the extra moisture that accumulates on the windshield as the vehicle speed increases, when the multifunction switch is in any intermittent setting except the INT 1 position. The windshield wiper module receives Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) information directly from the PCM. As vehicle speed increases, the speed-dependent feature gradually shortens the delay between wipes.
The speed-dependent feature is easiest to verify in the INT 2 position. With the vehicle at a standstill and the multifunction switch in the INT 2 position, the wipers should operate once every 10 seconds. As vehicle speed increases, the delay between wipes will gradually shorten. For example, by the time the vehicle reaches 100 km/h (62 mph), the wipers should operate every 5 seconds. Speed dependent operation is similar in INT 3, INT 4 and INT 5 modes.
Wiper Activated Headlamps (If Equipped with Autolamp System)
The SJB sends a voltage signal to the wiper motor module in order to monitor the status of the wipers. When the headlamp control switch is in the AUTOLAMP position and the wipers on for greater than 10 seconds, the SJB will activate the headlamps. When the SJB detects that the wipers have been turned off, the SJB will turn off the headlamps after 30 seconds.
Intermittent Rear Window Wiper System
When the multifunction switch is set to the rear intermittent position(s), it supplies ground to the rear window wiper motor module input and the wiper operates in intermittent mode. During intermittent operation, the rear wiper motor momentarily activates the rear window wiper relay (internal), which sends voltage to the motor. Once the rear window wiper motor is activated, the internal run/park switch connects voltage to the motor, keeping it operating. When the rear window wiper motor returns to the PARK position, the run/park switch disconnects voltage internally from the wiper motor input, reconnecting it to the rear window wiper motor module output. The rear window wiper remains parked until the rear window wiper motor module completes a time-out and then repeats the cycle.
Washer System
The front and rear washer system use the same washer reservoir and washer pump. The front and rear wiper motor modules each contain an integral washer relay. When the windshield and rear window washer relays are inactive, the washer relays supply a path to ground to the washer motor.
When the windshield wiper motor module receives a windshield wash signal from the multifunction switch, the windshield wiper motor module activates its integral windshield washer relay which sends voltage to the washer pump. The washer pump receives ground from the inactive rear window washer relay in the rear wiper motor module.
When the rear wiper motor module receives a rear window wash signal from the multifunction switch, the rear wiper motor module activates its integral rear window washer relay which sends voltage to the washer pump. The washer pump receives ground from the inactive windshield washer relay in the windshield wiper motor module.
Software Safe Mode
The windshield wiper motor defaults to software safe mode when the run/park sensor does not sense the Hall-effect magnet inside the wiper motor. This can be caused by an obstruction of the windshield wipers, a binding linkage or loss of the Hall sensor signal. The motor continues to operate in a high/low-speed condition, and when turned off, the wipers immediately park on the windshield. If necessary, the wipers can be turned on and off until they return to the PARK position.
Windshield Wiper Circuit Function Table
Rear Wiper Circuit Function Table
