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For 1990-2009 cars only

Wipers Inoperative - One or More Modes Front Wipers

Diagnostic Aids

The Wash mode for this diagnostic procedure is defined as the mode when the wiper switch is OFF and only the windshield washer switch has been activated. When the washer switch is activated with the wiper switch OFF, the wipers should wipe the windshield 3-5 times and then park.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step will pinpoint which specific wiper functions are inoperative. The wipers should operate for all active windshield wiper switch positions. When the wiper switch is OFF and only the windshield washer switch is activated, the wipers should wipe the windshield 3-5 times and then park.

  2. This step will help to pinpoint which specific circuit or component may be involved in the malfunction. When the Wash, and Park modes are inoperative as well as the Intermittent mode, the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit and associated components are suspect. When the wipers operate for the Park mode but the Intermittent and Wash modes are both inoperative, suspect the accessory voltage feed circuit of the FRT WIPER Relay or an associated component.

  3. This step is used when the wipers fail to wipe the windshield while only the washer switch is activated.

  4. This step is used when the wipers still operate in all wiping modes, but fail to Park at the full down position. If this condition is present while the wipers are being operated in the Intermittent mode, the wipers typically will not return to the full down position. Instead, they will stop at random positions on the windshield and in between the timed wiper strokes. Or, if the wipers are being operated in either the High or Low mode, the wipers will stop in mid-stroke when the wiper switch is turned OFF.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List

DEFINITION: The front windshield wipers are inoperative in one or more modes. The windshield washer still operates.

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Operate the windshield wiper switch through all switch positions.
  3. Turn the windshield wiper switch OFF.
  4. With the windshield wiper switch OFF, operate the front windshield washer switch to ON.

Do the windshield wipers operate as described in the Description and Operation?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 3

3

Are the windshield wipers completely inoperative?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 4

4

Are the windshield wipers inoperative for every mode except High speed?

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 5

5

Are the wipers inoperative in the Intermittent mode?

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

6

In addition to the Intermittent mode, are the windshield wipers inoperative for one or both of the following two modes?

    • Wash
    • Park

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

7

Important: When the windshield washer mode is activated with the windshield wiper switch OFF, the windshield wipers should wipe the windshield 3-5 times and then park.

Are the wipers inoperative for only the Wash mode?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 8

8

Are the wipers inoperative for only the Park mode?

Go to Step 13

Go to Step 9

9

The wipers are inoperative for only the High speed mode.

  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper motor high speed circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the high speed position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 22

10

The windshield wipers are totally inoperative.

  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.

  2. With a test lamp connected to battery positive voltage, probe the windshield wiper motor ground circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 29

11

The windshield wipers operate only in High speed.

  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper motor low speed circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the low speed position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 20

12

The windshield wipers are inoperative for only the Wash mode.

  1. Disconnect the body control module (BCM) C2 harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield washer pump control circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield washer switch to ON.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 21

13

The wipers are inoperative for only the Park mode.

  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. Test for continuity between the windshield wiper motor park switch signal circuit and ground circuit of the wiper motor, at the wiper motor pins.

Is there continuity?

Go to Step 15

Go to Step 24

14

The wipers are inoperative for only the Intermittent mode.

  1. Disconnect the body control module (BCM) C2 harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper switch pulse delay signal circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield washer switch through all of the Intermittent positions.

Is the test lamp illuminated for all of the Intermittent positions?

Go to Step 25

Go to Step 23

15

  1. Connect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. Disconnect the FRT WIPER Relay.
  3. With a test lamp connected to battery positive voltage, probe the windshield wiper motor park switch signal circuit of the underhood fuse block.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 30

16

  1. Connect the test lamp between ground and the windshield wiper motor high speed circuit of the harness connector.
  2. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the high speed position.
  3. Connect the test lamp between ground and the windshield wiper motor low speed circuit of the harness connector.
  4. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the low speed position.

Does the test lamp illuminate for both the high and the low positions?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 26

17

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the FRT WIPER Relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the accessory voltage feed circuits of the FRT WIPER Relay, at the underhood fuse block.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 28

18

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper between the accessory voltage feed circuit and the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit, at the underhood fuse block.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Turn the windshield wiper switch to the Intermittent position.
  5. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit, at the windshield wiper switch terminal.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 19

Go to Step 27

19

With the test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper switch low speed circuit, at the windshield wiper switch terminal.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 33

Go to Step 26

20

Test the windshield wiper motor low speed circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 26

21

Test the windshield washer pump control circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 26

22

Test the windshield wiper motor high speed circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 26

23

Test the windshield wiper switch pulse delay signal circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 26

24

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 32

25

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 34

26

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 .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 35

Go to Step 31

27

Repair the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Connector Repairs and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 35

--

28

Repair the accessory voltage feed circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Connector Repairs and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 35

--

29

Repair the open ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 35

--

30

Repair the windshield wiper motor park switch signal circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 35

--

31

Replace the windshield wiper washer switch. Refer to Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 35

--

32

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

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 35

--

33

Replace the FRT WIPER relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 35

--

34

Replace the BCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 35

--

35

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2

Wipers Inoperative - One or More Modes Rear Wipers

Diagnostic Aids

Except for when it is in the Wash mode, the rear window wiper wipes the rear window at delay time intervals. With the rear wiper system activated, the length of time between wipes can be adjusted by selecting any one of the three delay speed settings of the windshield wiper switch.

During the Wash mode, if the rear washer switch is momentarily turned to ON, the rear wiper will wipe the rear window 3-5 times and then park. However, if the rear washer switch is held to ON, the rear window wipers will continue to operate until the switch is released.

While the delay speed of both the front and rear wipers is adjusted by the windshield wiper switch selections, the delay time intervals of the rear wiper are not synchronized with the delay time intervals of the front wipers.

The rear wiper should stop at the Park position anytime the rear wiper is not wiping. However, if the ignition switch is turned OFF while the rear wiper is wiping, the wiper will stop at its current location on the glass.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. This step will determine if the rear wiper operates properly when only the rear window washer switch is activated. When the rear window washer switch is operated with the rear wiper switch OFF, the rear wiper should wipe the window 3-5 times and then park.

  2. This step helps to pinpoint the specific malfunction. The Park mode of the rear window wiper may be the only feature malfunctioning. When the rear wiper switch is ON, the rear wiper should stop at the parked position in between the timed strokes of the wiper. When the rear wiper switch is turned OFF, the rear wiper should park and remain in the parked position until either the wipe or wash mode is operated again.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer Schematics

Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List

DEFINITION: The rear wiper is inoperative in one or more modes, however the rear washer still operates.

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle

2

  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Turn the rear window wiper switch ON.

Does the rear window wiper operate?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3

  1. Turn the rear window wiper switch OFF.
  2. With the rear window wiper switch OFF, turn the rear window washer switch ON.

Does the rear window wiper operate?

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 7

4

Important: Unless the rear window wiper is being operated for the Wash mode, it operates only in the delay modes. When the rear wiper is ON, it should stop at the parked position in between timed strokes of the wiper. When the rear wiper is turned OFF, it should park and remain in the parked position until either the wiper or wash mode is operated again.

Does the rear window wiper Park in the full down position as it should?

Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections

Go to Step 9

5

Turn the rear window washer switch ON.

Does the rear window wiper operate?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 6

6

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Remove the REAR WIPER Relay from the underhood fuse block.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With a test lamp connected to a good ground, probe the accessory voltage feed circuit to the switch side of the relay at the underhood fuse block.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 20

7

  1. Disconnect the body control module (BCM) C2 harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the rear window washer pump control circuit.
  3. Operate the rear window washer switch to ON while the rear window wiper switch is OFF.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 13

8

  1. Disconnect the BCM C2 harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the rear wiper switch signal circuit.
  3. Operate the rear window wiper switch to ON.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 17

Go to Step 14

9

  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the harness connector of the rear window wiper motor.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With a test lamp connected to a good ground, probe the accessory voltage circuit of the rear window wiper motor.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 19

10

  1. Turn OFF the ignition
  2. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper wire between the accessory voltage feed circuit terminal and the rear window wiper motor control circuit terminal at the underhood fuse block.
  3. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF.

Does the rear wiper operate?

Go to Step 24

Go to Step 11

11

  1. Ensure that the fused jumper wire between the accessory voltage feed circuit terminal and the rear window wiper motor control circuit terminal is still connected.
  2. With a test lamp connected to a good ground, probe the rear window wiper motor control circuit at the rear wiper motor.

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 21

12

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

Does the test lamp illuminate?

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 18

13

Test the rear window washer pump control circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 15

14

Test the rear wiper switch signal circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 15

15

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 .

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 22

16

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 23

17

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

Did you find and correct the condition?

Go to Step 26

Go to Step 25

18

Repair the rear window wiper motor ground circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

19

Repair the accessory voltage circuit, between the REAR WIPER Relay splice and the wiper motor, for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

20

Repair the open or high resistance in the accessory voltage feed circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

21

Repair the open or high resistance in the rear window wiper motor control circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .

Did you complete the repair?

Go to Step 26

--

22

Replace the windshield wiper washer switch. Refer to Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 26

--

23

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

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 26

--

24

Replace the rear wiper relay. Refer to Relay Replacement .

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 26

--

25

Replace the BCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.

Did you complete the replacement?

Go to Step 26

--

26

Operate the system in order to verify the repair.

Did you correct the condition?

System OK

Go to Step 2