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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2008 🢒 Captiva Sport 🢒 Diagnostic Navigation 🢒 Vehicle Diagnostic Information 🢒 Windshield Wiper System Malfunction

Diagnostic Instructions
    • Perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle prior to using this diagnostic procedure.
    • Review Strategy Based Diagnosis for an overview of the diagnostic approach.
    •  Diagnostic Procedure Instructions provides an overview of each diagnostic category.

Diagnostic Fault Information

Circuit

Short to Ground

Open/High Resistance

Short to Voltage

Signal Performance

WPR HI Relay B+

1, 2

1, 2

--

--

Windshield Wiper Switch Signal

B3922 00

1

1

--

Windshield Wiper Switch High Signal

4

2

2

--

Windshield Wiper Motor Park Switch Signal

3

3

--

--

WPR Relay Control

B3715 02

1

4

--

WPR HI Relay Control

4

2

B3875 00

--

Windshield Wiper Motor High Speed Control

2

2

4

--

Windshield Wiper Motor Low Speed Control

1

1

4

--

Windshield Wiper Switch Low Reference

--

1, 2

1, 2

--

Windshield Wiper Motor Ground

--

1, 2, 3

--

--

WPR Relay Ground

--

1

--

--

1. Delay or Low Speed Wipers Inoperative

2. High Speed Wipers Inoperative

3. Wipers Do Not Park

4. Wipers Always ON

Circuit/System Description

The body control module (BCM) controls the wiper motor based on input from the windshield wiper washer switch. The BCM monitors the wiper washer switch through three separate signal circuits and a ground circuit. The windshield wiper switch high signal circuit is used to determine high speed wiper operation, the windshield wiper switch low signal is used to determine low speed, intermittent, and mist operation through the use of a resistor ladder, and windshield washer switch signal circuit is used to determine washer operation.

The BCM controls the windshield wiper motor through two output controls, controlling two relays which determine the desired wiper speed, high or low.

Reference Information

Schematic Reference

Wiper/Washer Schematics

Connector End View Reference

Component Connector End Views

Description and Operation

Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation

Electrical Information Reference

    •  Circuit Testing
    •  Connector Repairs
    •  Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
    •  Wiring Repairs

Scan Tool Reference

Control Module References for scan tool information

Circuit/System Verification
  1. Ignition ON, wiper switch in the OFF position, verify the scan tool Windshield Washer Switch parameter is Inactive.
    2. ⇒If not the specified value, refer to Windshield Wiper Washer System Malfunction.
  2. Wiper switch in the OFF position, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Off.
    3. ⇒If not the specified value, refer to Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  3. Wiper switch in the OFF position, verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter is Inactive.
    4. ⇒If not the specified value, refer to Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  4. Wiper switch in the LOW position, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Low.
    5. ⇒If not the specified value, refer to Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  5. Wiper switch in the HIGH position, verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter is Active.
    6. ⇒If not the specified value, refer to Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  6. Wiper switch in the INT position, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Intermittent.
    7. ⇒If not the specified value, test or replace the Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  7. Wiper switch in the INT position, observe the scan tool Wiper Delay Setting parameter while cycling the delay adjustment switch from long delay to short delay. The parameter should cycle between D1 and D5 as each delay position is selected.
    8. ⇒If not the specified value, test or replace the Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  8. Wiper switch in the LOW position, verify the windshield wipers are cycling at the low speed.
    9. ⇒If the wipers are not operating at the low speed, refer to Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction.
  9. Wiper switch in the HIGH position, verify the windshield wipers are cycling at the high speed.
    10. ⇒If the wipers are not operating at the low speed, refer to Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction.
  10. Wiper switch in the INT position, cycling the delay adjustment switch from long delay to short delay. Verify the wiper delay time decreases from long delay to short delay as each delay position is selected.
    11. ⇒If the delay does not change as specified, refer to Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction.

Circuit/System Testing

Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  2. Ignition OFF, test for less than 20 ohms between the low reference circuit terminal B and ground.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the low reference circuit for an open/high resistance. If the circuit test normal, replace the BCM.
  3. Ignition ON, verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Off.
    4. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal A for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  4. Verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter Inactive.
    5. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit terminal C for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  5. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal A and ground. Verify the scan tool Windshield Wiper Switch parameter is Switch Fault.
    6. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  6. Install a 3A fused jumper wire between the signal circuit terminal C and ground. Verify the scan tool Wiper High Speed Switch parameter is Active.
    7. ⇒If not the specified value, test the signal circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.

Windshield Wiper Motor Circuit Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect WIPER relay.
  2. Test for less than 20 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 86 and ground.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  3. Test for less than 20 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 87A and ground.
    4. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  4. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 87 and ground.
    5. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test or replace the underhood fuse block.
  5. Install a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 85 and the ground circuit terminal 86.
  6. Ignition ON, command the WIPER relay ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
    7. ⇒If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    ⇒If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  7. Ignition OFF, disconnect the WIPER HIGH relay.
  8. Test for less than 2 ohms between the control circuit terminal 30 at the WIPER relay and the control circuit terminal 30 at the WIPER HIGH relay.
    9. ⇒If greater than the specified range, replace the underhood fuse block.
  9. Connect the WIPER relay.
  10. Test for less than 20 ohms between the control circuit terminal 30 and ground.
    11. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test or replace the WIPER relay.
  11. Ignition ON, verify a test lamp illuminates between the B+ circuit terminal 85 and ground.
    12. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test or replace the underhood fuse block.
  12. Install a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 30 and ground.
  13. Ignition ON, command the WIPER relay ON. The test lamp should turn illuminate.
    14. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, replace the WIPER relay.
  14. Install a test lamp between the B+ circuit terminal 85 and the control circuit terminal 86.
  15. Ignition ON, command the WIPER HIGH relay ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between commanded states.
    16. ⇒If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to ground. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
    ⇒If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to voltage or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  16. Ignition OFF, connect the WIPER HIGH relay. Disconnect the harness connector at the windshield wiper motor.
  17. Test for less than 20 ohms between the ground circuit terminal 2 and ground.
    18. ⇒If greater than the specified range, test the ground circuit for an open/high resistance.
  18. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 4 and ground.
  19. Ignition ON, command the WIPER relay ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
    20. ⇒If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the WIPER HIGH relay.
    ⇒If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the WIPER HIGH relay.
  20. Connect a test lamp between the control circuit terminal 3 and ground.
  21. Ignition ON, command the WIPER HIGH ON and OFF. The test lamp should turn ON and OFF when changing between the commanded states.
    22. ⇒If the test lamp is always ON, test the control circuit for a short to voltage. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the WIPER HIGH relay.
    ⇒If the test lamp is always OFF, test the control circuit for a short to ground or an open/high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, test or replace the WIPER HIGH relay.
  22. Wipers OFF, verify a test lamp illuminates between the signal circuit terminal 1 and ground.
    23. ⇒If the test lamp does not illuminate, test the signal circuit for a short to ground or an open high resistance. If the circuit tests normal, replace the BCM.
  23. If all circuits test normal, test or replace the windshield wiper motor.

Component Testing

Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.
  2. With the wiper switch in the HIGH position, test for less than 2 ohms between the low reference terminal B and the signal terminal C.
    3. ⇒If greater than the specified range, replace the Windshield Wiper/Washer Switch Malfunction.

    Important: If the switch tests open in any switch position other than Off, test the signal circuits for a short to voltage before replacing the switch.

  3. While cycling the wiper switch through each delay and speed position, test for the specified resistance between the low reference terminal B and the signal terminal D.

Wiper Switch Values

Switch Position

Resistance

Off

Infinite

Mist

300-364 Ω

Delay 1

3.48K-4.25K Ω

Delay 2

2.52K-3.08K Ω

Delay 3

1.78K-2.18K Ω

Delay 4

1.17K-1.44K Ω

Delay 5

697-851 Ω

Low

300-364 Ω

⇒If any switch position is not within the specified range, replace the windshield wiper washer switch.

Windshield Wiper Motor

  1. Ignition OFF, disconnect the harness connector at the windshield wiper motor.
  2. Install a 25A fused jumper wire between B+ and the control terminal 4. Install a jumper wire between the terminal 2 and ground.
  3. Verify the wiper motor is operating in the low speed mode.
    4. ⇒If the wiper motor is not in the low speed mode, replace the windshield wiper motor.
  4. Install a 25A fused jumper wire between B+ and the control terminal 3. Install a jumper wire between the terminal 2 and ground.
  5. Verify the wiper motor is operating in the high speed mode.
    6. ⇒If the wiper motor is not in the high speed mode, replace the windshield wiper motor.

Repair Instructions

Perform the Diagnostic Repair Verification after completing the diagnostic procedure.

    •  Windshield Wiper and Washer Switch Replacement
    •  Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement
    •  Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement
    •  Control Module References for BCM replacement, setup, and programming