GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Saturn 🢒 2003 🢒 VUE - FWD 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Wipers/Washer Systems 🢒 Wipers Inoperative - One or More Modes

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List in Wiring Systems

1

Did you perform the Wiper/Washer Diagnostic System Check?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Wiper/Washer

2
  1. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.
  2. Operate the front and rear wiper switch through all switch positions.

Do the wiper system operate normally?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems

Go to Step 3

3

Are the wipers inoperative in the front and rear?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 4

4

Are the wipers only inoperative in the front?

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 9

5

Is there only one mode inoperative in the front wipers?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 8

6

Is the mode intermittent?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 7

7

Is the mode LOW or MIST?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 18

8
  1. Connect a test lamp between the HIGH front wiper motor control circuit and the front wiper motor ground circuit.
  2. Turn the front wipers to HIGH.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 20

9
  1. The rear wipers are inoperative.
  2. Connect a test lamp between the rear wiper relay voltage control circuit and a good ground.
  3. Turn the rear wipers to intermittent.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 11

10

Connect a test lamp between the rear wiper motor voltage control circuit and the rear wiper motor ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 12

11

Connect a test lamp between the rear wiper relay voltage circuit and the rear wiper relay control circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 29

Go to Step 13

12

Connect a test lamp between the rear wiper motor voltage control circuit and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 26

13

Connect a test lamp between the rear wiper input control circuit and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 14

14
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the windshield wiper washer switch.
  3. Test the wiper input control circuit for an open or short to ground.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 22

15
  1. Connect a test lamp between the front wiper input control circuit and a good ground.
  2. Turn the front wipers to intermittent.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 22

16
  1. Connect a test lamp at the LOW/MIST control circuit at the front wiper motor and a good ground.
  2. Turn the front wiper switch to LOW or MIST.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 17

17
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the windshield wiper washer switch connector.
  3. Test the LOW/MIST control circuit for an open or a short to ground.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 22

18
  1. The inoperative mode is HIGH.
  2. Connect a test lamp at the HIGH control circuit at the front wiper motor and a good ground.
  3. Turn the front wiper switch to HIGH.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 23

Go to Step 19

19
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the windshield wiper washer switch connector.
  3. Test the high control circuit for an open or a short to ground.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 22

20

Connect a test lamp between the HIGH front wiper motor control circuit and a good ground.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 22

21

Test the ground circuit for the wiper motors for an open at the splice pack G301. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 22

22

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the windshield wiper washer switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 27

23

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the wiper motor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 28

24

Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the BCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 31

Go to Step 30

25

Repair an open in the wiper motor ground circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 31

--

26

Repair an open or short to ground in the rear wiper motor voltage control circuit. Refer to Wiring Repairs and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 31

--

27

Replace the windshield wiper washer switch. Refer to Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement in Steering Wheel and Column.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 31

--

28

Replace the wiper motor. Refer to Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 31

--

29

Replace the rear wiper relay. Refer to Relay Replacement in Wiring Systems.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 31

--

30

Important: Perform the programming or set up procedure for the replaced control module if required.

Replace the BCM. Refer to Body Control Module Replacement in Body Control System for applicable replacement procedure.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 31

--

31

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2