The Wiper/Washer System consists of the following components:

Refer to Master Electrical Component List.

The body control module (BCM) controls wiper motor low speed operation. The washer pump and high speed operation are controlled directly by the wiper/washer switch. The windshield wiper/washer switch supplies voltage on the signal circuits to the BCM for windshield wiper/washer operation. When WASH, MIST, DELAY, LOW, or HIGH is detected, the BCM energizes the wiper 1 relay by suppling voltage to the relay coil. This allows battery voltage from the WIPER fuse to flow through the relay switched input then through the contacts and out the relay contacts to the wiper 2 relay switch contacts. Since the wiper 2 relay switch contacts are normally closed to the low speed circuit of the windshield wiper motor, the motor will operate at low speed.

In the WASH position, the windshield wiper/washer switch supplies voltage to the windshield washer pump. The body control module (BCM) monitors voltage on this circuit to detect when a WASH cycle is requested so it can enable the wipers. After a short delay, the BCM energizes the wiper 1 relay which will operate the windshield wiper motor at low speed. The wiper motor will continue to operate for 2 wipe cycles after the wash switch is released.

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

In the MIST position, voltage is supplied through an internal resistor to the signal circuit of the windshield wiper/washer switch for the body control module (BCM). The BCM will energize the wiper 1 relay which will operate the windshield wiper motor at low speed.

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 determined by a series of 5 resistors within the wiper/washer switch. During DELAY wiper operation, the signal circuit voltage is further reduced through the DELAY resistors. The body control module (BCM) monitors the voltage on the signal circuit to determine the delay interval between the low speed wiper motor cycles.

If the wiper switch is moved from a longer delay interval to a shorter delay interval, the BCM will command an immediate wipe cycle and reset the delay timer to the shorter delay interval.

Additionally, intermittent wiper operation is vehicle speed sensitive. As vehicle speed is increased or decreased, the wiper interval will also increase or decrease.

When the wiper switch is in the Low position, voltage is supplied through an internal resistor to the signal circuit. The body control module (BCM) monitors the windshield wiper switch signal 1 circuit and energizes the wiper 1 relay which will operate the windshield wiper motor. The wiper motor will operate at low speed, since the wiper 2 relay is de-energized. Low speed can also be commanded with a scan tool by commanding Wiper Relay Cmd. ON and OFF.

In the High position, the windshield wiper/washer switch supplies voltage to both the wiper 1 and wiper 2 relay coils. This energizes both relays and allows battery voltage from the wiper 1 relay switched output to the switched input of the wiper 2 relay through its contacts and out the switched output of the wiper 2 relay to the high speed circuit of the windshield wiper motor. The windshield wiper motor will operate at high speed. During HIGH speed wiper motor operation, the wiper switch signal circuit is at the LOW speed signal voltage, and the body control module (BCM) supplies redundant voltage to the wiper relay via the wiper diode.

Windshield wiper motor park operation is controlled by the body control module (BCM) using an input from the park switch within the wiper motor assembly. The BCM monitors the windshield wiper motor park switch circuit to determine if the windshield wiper blades are at the bottom of the glass. While in the park position the park switch will open and the park circuit will be pulled up to battery voltage by the BCM. The circuit will be pulled to ground by the wiper motor park switch while the windshield wiper motor is operating. When the wiper switch is turned to the OFF position while the wiper motor is somewhere in mid-cycle, the BCM will continue to operate the motor until the wipers reach the park position. If the ignition is turned OFF while the wipers are in mid-cycle, the wipers will stop immediately where they are. The BCM will park the wipers the next time the ignition is turned ON.

The wipers will not park when they are commanded ON and OFF with a scan tool. The BCM will park the wipers the next time the wiper switch is turned ON and OFF.

The BCM provides stall protection for the wiper motor by monitoring the park switch. If the park switch does not transition for 3 seconds while the wipers are operating, the BCM will assume that the wiper motor is stalled, and will de-energize the wiper relay until the wiper switch is cycled OFF and ON again.

With the ignition in the ON position, accessory voltage is supplied through the WIPER/SW 10A fuse in the BCM to the wiper/washer switch.

The body control module (BCM) monitors the voltage on the windshield wiper switch signal 2 circuit for diagnostic purposes. If the circuit is shorted to voltage while the driver is commanded OFF, the BCM will store DTC B3715. If the circuit is shorted to ground while the driver is commanded ON, the BCM will store DTC B3715. Refer to DTC B3715.