Wiper and Washer Systems: Description and Operation
WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEMA two-speed windshield wiper system is standard equipment on this model. An intermittent windshield wiper system is optional. The standard system lets the driver select from two wiper speeds, low or high. The intermittent wiper system adds an intermittent wipe delay feature.
On models equipped with the intermittent wiper system, the intermittent wipe mode delay times are driver adjustable from about one second to about fifteen seconds. The intermittent wipe mode is provided by delay logic and relay control circuitry contained within the intermittent wiper/washer switch. The intermittent wipe relay is also contained within the switch.
The windshield wipers will operate only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions. A fuse located in the fuseblock module protects the circuitry of either windshield wiper system. Refer to the owner's manual for more information on the windshield wiper system controls and operation.
WINDSHIELD WASHER SYSTEM
An electrically operated windshield washer system is standard equipment. A washer reservoir in the engine compartment holds the washer fluid, which is pressurized by a pump when the windshield washer switch lever is actuated. The windshield washer pump feeds the pressurized washer fluid through the washer system plumbing to the windshield washer nozzles.
If the vehicle is equipped with the two-speed wiper system and the wipers are not already turned on when the washers are activated, the wiper switch will be turned on to the low speed position automatically. The wipers must be turned off manually following a washer switch activation. If the vehicle is equipped with the intermittent wipe system and the wipers are not turned on when the washers are activated, the wipers will be automatically cycled for one or two wipes, then be turned off.
The washers will operate only when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions. A fuse located in the fuseblock module protects the circuitry of the washer system. Refer to the owner's manual for more information on the windshield washer system controls and operation.
REAR WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM
A rear wiper and washer system is standard equipment on models equipped with the optional hardtop. The rear wiper system provides the following operating modes:
- Continuous fixed-cycle wipe.
- A rear washer mode.
- A park mode that operates the wiper motor until the blade reaches its park position when the rear wiper switch is placed in the Off position.
A single switch in the instrument panel accessory switch bezel controls both the rear wiper and washer functions. The rear washer system shares the reservoir of the windshield washer system, but has its own dedicated washer pump and plumbing.
The rear wiper and washer systems will operate only when the ignition switch is in the On position. A fuse in the fuseblock module protects the circuitry of both the rear wiper and washer systems.
Refer to the owner's manual for more information on the rear wiper and washer system controls and operation.
WIPER ARM AND BLADE
All models have two 33.02-centimeter (13-inch) windshield wiper blades with non-replaceable rubber elements (squeegees). The rear wiper uses a single 45.72-centimeter (18-inch) wiper blade with a non-replaceable rubber element (squeegee).
Caution should be exercised to protect the rubber squeegees from any petroleum-based cleaners or contaminants, which will rapidly deteriorate the rubber. If the squeegees are damaged, worn, or contaminated, the entire wiper blade assembly must be replaced.
Wiper squeegees exposed to the elements for a long time tend to lose their wiping effectiveness. Periodic cleaning of the squeegees is suggested to remove deposits of salt and road film. The wiper blades, arms, and windshield or rear lift glass should be cleaned with a sponge or cloth and windshield washer fluid, a mild detergent, or a non-abrasive cleaner. If the squeegees continue to streak or smear, the wiper blades should be replaced.
The blades are mounted to spring-loaded wiper arms. The spring tension of the wiper arms controls the pressure applied to the blades on the glass. The windshield wiper arms are secured by an integral latch to the two wiper pivots on the cowl plenum cover/grille panel at the base of the windshield. The rear wiper arm is secured by an integral latch directly to the rear wiper motor output shaft on the lift glass.
The wiper arms and blades cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
WIPER LINKAGE AND PIVOT
The wiper linkage and pivot module is secured with screws to the cowl plenum panel beneath the cowl plenum cover/grille panel. The wiper motor is secured with screws to the center of the linkage and pivot module bracket. The wiper pivots are secured to the ends of the module bracket.
The driver side wiper pivot crank arm and the wiper motor crank arm each have ball studs on their ends. The passenger side crank arm has two ball studs. A drive link is connected from the motor crank arm ball stud to one ball stud on the passenger side pivot crank arm. A connecting link is connected from the other ball stud on the passenger side pivot crank arm to the driver side pivot crank arm ball stud.
Both the drive link and the connector link have a plastic socket-type bushing on each end. Each of the socket-type bushings are snap-fit over their respective ball studs.
The wiper linkage, pivots, bushings, motor, crank arm, and mounting bracket are only serviced as a complete unit. If any part of this assembly except the motor is faulty or damaged, the entire unit must be replaced. The wiper motor is also available as a separate service item.
WIPER MOTOR
Front
The two-speed permanent magnet wiper motor has an integral transmission and park switch. The motor also contains an internal automatic resetting circuit breaker to protect the motor from overloads. The motor is secured to the wiper linkage and pivot module bracket with three screws and is protected by a rubber boot. The wiper motor output shaft passes through a hole in the module bracket, where a nut secures the wiper motor crank arm to the motor output shaft.
Wiper speed is controlled by current flow to the proper set of brushes. The wiper motor completes its wipe cycle when the windshield wiper switch stalk is moved to the Off position, and parks the blades in the lowest portion of the wipe pattern.
The windshield wiper motor cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire wiper motor and boot assembly must be replaced. The wiper linkage and pivots module, which includes the wiper motor, is also available for service.
Rear
The rear wiper motor is secured on the inside of the lift glass with a slotted bracket that fits onto a grommet under the right lift glass hinge mounting nut. The motor output shaft passes through the lift- glass, where a rubber gasket and a plastic bezel and nut unit seal and secure the output shaft to the outside of the lift glass. The rear wiper arm is secured directly to the motor output shaft.
The rear wiper motor unit contains an internal park switch. The motor also contains an automatic resetting thermal switch for overload protection.
The rear wiper motor cannot be repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire rear wiper motor assembly must be replaced.
WIPER SWITCH AND WASHER SWITCH
Front
Windshield Wiper Switch and Washer Switch:
The windshield wiper and washer switches are mounted on the right side of the steering column. The switch stalk is moved up or down to select the wiper switch mode, and pulled towards the steering wheel to activate the washer system. Models with the intermittent wiper system also have a knob on the end of the switch stalk, which is rotated to select the desired delay interval. The windshield wiper and washer switch contains circuitry for the following functions:
- Windshield wipers
- Intermittent wiper delay relay control and logic (if the vehicle is so equipped)
- Intermittent wipe relay (if the vehicle is so equipped)
- Windshield washers.
The windshield wiper and washer switch cannot be repaired. If any function of the switch is faulty, or if the switch is damaged, the entire switch unit must be replaced.
Rear
The single two-function rear wiper and washer switch is installed in the instrument panel accessory switch bezel, which is located near the bottom of the instrument panel center bezel area, next to the ash receiver. The rear wiper and washer switch controls the rear wiper and washer functions.
The toggle-type switch features a detent in the On position, and a momentary Wash position. The rear wiper and washer switch also has an integral illumination lamp with a serviceable bulb. The switch knob is pushed down to its detent to activate the rear wiper system, and down again to the momentary position to activate the rear washer system. Both the rear wiper and rear washer motors will operate continuously for as long as the switch is held in the momentary Wash position.
The rear wiper and washer switch cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the entire switch unit must be replaced.
WASHER RESERVOIR
A single washer fluid reservoir is used for both the front and rear washer systems. The washer fluid reservoir is secured to the inner fender shield, over the left front wheel house in the engine compartment.
Each washer pump and motor unit has a barbed nipple, which is installed through a rubber grommet seal inserted in a hole near the bottom of the reservoir. The washer pumps are retained by an interference fit between the barbed nipple and the grommet seal, which is a light press fit.
The washer reservoir has a snap-fit filler cap with a rubber gasket. The cap hinges on and is secured to molded-in hook formation on the reservoir behind the filler neck.
The washer reservoir and filler cap are each available for service.
WASHER PUMP
The washer pumps and motors are mounted near the bottom of the washer reservoir. A barbed nipple on the pump housing passes through a rubber grommet seal installed in a hole near the bottom of the reservoir. The washer pump is retained by an interference fit between the barbed pump nipple and the grommet seal, which is a light press fit.
A permanently lubricated and sealed motor is coupled to a rotor-type pump. Washer fluid is gravity-fed from the reservoir to the pump. When the motor is energized, the pump pressurizes the washer fluid and forces it through the plumbing to the nozzles.
The washer pump and motor unit cannot be repaired. If faulty, the entire washer pump and motor unit must be replaced.
WASHER NOZZLE AND PLUMBING
Front
Pressurized washer fluid is fed through a single hose, attached to a barbed nipple on the front washer pump. The hose is routed to a tee fitting located near the rear inner hood panel reinforcement. Hoses from the tee fitting are routed to the two nozzles.
A check valve is located in the washer supply line near each of the two front nozzles, which prevents washer fluid drain-back or siphoning from occurring.
Windshield Washer Nozzles:
The nozzles are snapped into openings in the hood panel below the windshield The two washer nozzles each emit two streams of washer fluid into the wipe pattern. If the aim of the washer fluid streams is unacceptable, each stream can be adjusted using a pin inserted in the nozzle orifice to rotate the nozzle ball.
The nozzles, check valves and hose fittings cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
Rear
Pressurized washer fluid is fed through a single hose, attached to a barbed nipple on the rear washer pump. The hose is routed from the front of the vehicle to the lift glass with the left body wire harness. At the left rear corner of the hardtop, the hose connects to a check valve, which prevents washer fluid drain- back or siphoning from occurring.
Rear Washer Hose Cap:
There is also a washer hose cap attached to the hose below the check valve. When the hardtop is removed from the vehicle, the body half of the washer hose must be disconnected from the check valve. The washer hose cap is used to plug the body half of the washer hose after it is disconnected from the check valve.
From the check valve, another single hose is routed through the rear lift glass opening reinforcements of the hardtop to the rear wiper motor cover. Behind the rear wiper motor cover, the hose attaches to the rear washer nozzle nipple.
The fluidic rear washer nozzle and a seal are installed from the outside through a hole in the lift glass near the rear wiper motor output shaft. The nozzle is secured on the inside of the glass by a plastic hex nut.
The rear washer nozzle cannot be adjusted. The nozzle, check valve, and hose fittings cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.