Principles Of Operation

Wipers and Washers

Principles of Operation

Windshield Wipers and Washers

NOTE: The Smart Junction Box (SJB) may also be identified as the Generic Electronic Module (GEM).

The windshield wiper system consists of a front wiper relay and an integrated wiper motor and module assembly, which contains internal washer, run/park and high/low speed relays. The windshield wiper motor and module assembly also contains a Hall-effect sensor that is used to determine the parked position of the wiper motor during a cycle. The integrated windshield wiper motor and module assembly has 5 different operating modes: OFF, LOW speed, HIGH speed, INTERMITTENT and SOFTWARE SAFE mode.

High-Speed Windshield Wipers

When the multifunction switch is set to the HIGH speed position, it supplies ground to the high/low speed relay coil and the run/park relay coil, which causes the windshield wiper motor to operate at high speed. During high-speed operation only, both the high/low-speed relay coil ground and the run/park relay coil ground are controlled directly by the multifunction switch. This differs from LOW speed or intermittent operation when the 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 run/park relay deactivates the relay and disconnects the voltage to the motor.

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 internal run/park relay is activated by the microprocessor and supplies 12 volts to the low-speed brush of the windshield wiper motor. The 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 run/park relay deactivates the relay and disconnects the voltage to the motor.

Intermittent 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 run/park relay coil which sends voltage through the high/low relay. The 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 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.

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 are on, the SJB will activate the headlamps within 10 seconds. When the SJB detects that the wipers have been turned off, the SJB will turn off the headlamps after 30 seconds.

Rear Window Wiper

The rear window wiper system consists of a rear wiper relay and an integrated wiper motor and module assembly, which contains internal washer and wiper relays.

When the multifunction switch is set to the rear wiper intermittent position(s), it supplies ground to the rear window wiper motor module inputs and the wiper motor 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.

Windshield and Rear Window Washer

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-effect 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