GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Windshield Wiper/Washer System Components

The windshield wiper/washer system consists of the following components:

    • Windshield wiper/washer switch
    • Windshield wiper motor
    • Windshield wiper motor module
    • Windshield washer pump
    • WIPER 20A fuse

Windshield Wiper/Washer System Operation

The windshield wiper motor module is part of the windshield wiper motor cover and controls wiper motor operation. The accessory voltage supply circuit to the windshield wiper motor assembly is used to operate the wiper motor in all modes. The windshield wiper motor is a 2 speed motor and is operated at low speed in all modes except HIGH. The accessory voltage supply circuit to the windshield wiper/washer switch is used to supply the windshield wiper switch signal circuits. The windshield wiper switch signal circuit voltage levels to the wiper motor module determine the wiper motor operating mode.

When the wiper/washer switch is in the LOW position voltage is supplied through a 680 ohm resistor within the switch to the windshield wiper switch low circuit. The reduced voltage from the low circuit causes the wiper motor module to close the wiper motor accessory voltage supply circuit to the wiper motor low speed terminal.

Windshield wiper/washer system MIST operation is identical to LOW operation except that the MIST switch is a press and release type. When the wiper switch is moved to the MIST position and released, low speed wiper motor operation is started and will continue until 1 cycle is complete. If the wiper switch is moved to the MIST position and held, the windshield wiper motor will operate in the LOW mode until the switch is released.

Windshield wiper DELAY operation is a low speed wiper motor function with a variable delay interval between the wiper motor cycles. The DELAY interval is controlled through a series of resistors within the wiper/washer switch. During DELAY wiper operation the low circuit voltage is reduced through the DELAY resistors. The windshield wiper motor module uses a capacitor feed by the low circuit to determine the frequency of the low speed wiper motor cycles. When the low circuit is at the higher voltage level as in the LOW switch position, the capacitor charges fast causing continuous low speed wiper motor operation. The DELAY switch position indicating the longest interval between wiper motor cycles is the switch position with the highest resistance resulting in low voltage on the low circuit. The low voltage charges the capacitor slowly causing a long delay interval between wiper motor cycles. As the DELAY switch is turned to positions indicating more frequent wiper cycles, the resistance through the wiper/washer switch is reduced and the low circuit voltage increases. When the low circuit voltage increases the capacitor charges faster and the delay interval between wiper motor cycles decreases.

When the wiper/washer switch is in the HIGH position the accessory voltage to the wiper/washer switch is closed to the high speed signal circuit. The accessory voltage on the high speed signal circuit causes the wiper motor module to close the wiper motor accessory voltage supply circuit to the wiper motor high speed terminal. During HIGH speed wiper motor operation the pulse delay signal circuit is at the LOW speed signal voltage level, but the pulse delay signal circuit input to the wiper motor module is overridden by the active HIGH speed signal circuit.

During windshield wiper/washer system WASH operation the wiper motor module controls the operating voltage to the wiper motor and the windshield washer pump. The WASH switch contact closes the wiper/washer switch accessory voltage supply circuit to the low circuit. Accessory voltage on the low circuit indicates to the wiper motor module the WASH command is active. When the wiper motor module activates the WASH function, the wiper motor accessory voltage supply circuit is closed to the wiper motor low speed terminal and the windshield washer pump control circuit for a minimum of 3.5 seconds or as long as the WASH command is active followed by 2 wiper motor cycles.

Windshield wiper motor park operation is controlled by the wiper motor module using an input from the park switch within the wiper motor assembly. When the windshield wiper/washer switch is turned to the OFF position while the wiper motor is somewhere in mid-cycle, the wiper motor module will continue to operate the wiper motor until the wipers reach the park position.

Low Washer Fluid Indicator

The low washer fluid indicator is controlled by the instrument panel cluster (IPC) using an input from the washer fluid level switch. The washer fluid level signal circuit is supplied ignition voltage through a resistor then monitored within the instrument cluster. The washer fluid level switch is normally open so the instrument cluster detects ignition voltage on the washer fluid level signal circuit whenever the washer fluid level is not low. When the washer fluid level reaches the point where the driver should be informed that the washer fluid is low, the washer fluid level switch closes. When the washer fluid level switch is closed the washer fluid level signal circuit voltage is pulled low, and the instrument cluster illuminates the LOW WASHER FLUID indicator. In order to prevent the LOW WASHER FLUID indicator from flashing due to sloshing in the washer fluid container, the instrument cluster is programed with a 1  minute delay before changing states of the LOW WASHER FLUID indicator during an ignition cycle.