Section 29 (Wiper System & Washer System): Wipers/Washers: Description

Fig 1: Wiper & Washer System

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

An electrically operated intermittent wiper and washer system is standard factory-installed safety equipment on this model. See Fig 1. The wiper and washer system includes the following major components, which are described in further detail elsewhere in this service information:

• Check Valve  - The washer system check valve is integral to the plumbing fitting located in the washer plumbing between the cowl plenum washer hose and the two washer nozzle hoses, and is located beneath the cowl top panel at the base of the windshield in the engine compartment.
• Multi-Function Switch  - The multi-function switch is secured to the top of the steering column, just below the steering wheel. Only the left (lighting) control stalk, right (wiper) control stalk and the hazard warning switch button for the multi-function switch are visible, the remainder of the switch is concealed beneath the steering column shrouds. The multi-function switch contains all of the switches for both the wiper and washer systems. (Refer to MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH - DESCRIPTION)
• Rain Sensor  - Vehicles equipped with an optional automatic wiper feature have an electronic rain sensor concealed within the base of the rear view mirror unit on the inside of the laminated windshield glass.
• Rain Sensor Control Module  - Vehicles equipped with an optional automatic wiper feature have an electronic rain sensor control module located under the lower instrument panel above the accelerator pedal in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
• Washer Fluid Level Switch  - The optional washer fluid level switch is integral to a unique version of the washer pump/motor unit, which is located in a dedicated hole on the top of the sump area near the back of the windshield washer reservoir on the right front fender wheel house in the engine compartment.
• Washer Nozzle  - A single washer nozzle with three separate orifices is secured with integral snap features to each wiper arm. The hoses for the washer nozzles are concealed beneath a molded plastic guide on the underside of each wiper arm and routed to the engine compartment through unique molded plastic elbow fittings located near each wiper pivot at the base of the windshield.
• Washer Pump/Motor  - Two different washer pump/motor units are available for this model. One version has an integral washer fluid level switch that provides a hard wired input to the instrument cluster for control of the optional washer fluid indicator. The washer pump/motor unit is located in a dedicated hole on the top of the sump area near the back of the windshield washer reservoir on the right front fender wheel house in the engine compartment.
• Washer Reservoir  - The washer reservoir is located on the right front fender wheel house in the engine compartment. The washer reservoir filler is accessed from the right front corner of the engine compartment.
• Wiper Arm  - The two unequal length wiper arms are secured to the two wiper pivots, which extend through the cowl panel near the base of the windshield. The longer arm is installed on the left (driver) side of the windshield.
• Wiper Blade  - The two unequal length wiper blades are secured to the two wiper arms, and are parked on the glass near the bottom of the windshield when the wiper system is not in operation. The longer blade is installed on the left (driver) side of the windshield.
• Wiper Linkage  - The wiper pivots are the only visible components of the wiper linkage. The remainder of the linkage is concealed within the engine compartment just behind the hood opening. The wiper linkage module includes the two wiper drive links, the wiper motor crank arm, the two wiper pivots, and the linkage and motor mounting bracket.
• Wiper Motor  - The wiper motor is secured to the wiper linkage module bracket on the underside of the cowl panel within the engine compartment. The wiper motor output shaft and crank arm extend through a clearance hole in the mounting bracket, where they are connected to a crank arm that drives the wiper linkage.
• Wiper Relay  - The wiper relay is located in a dedicated receptacle on the lower left surface of the fuse block underneath the steering column behind the fuse access panel and the steering column opening panel. The wiper relay is a passive component on vehicles equipped with the optional automatic wiper system.
• Wiper, Turn Signals, Engine Start Control Module  - The wiper, turn signals and engine start control module is integral to the fuse block located underneath the steering column. The fuse block is concealed behind the fuse access panel and the steering column opening panel, where it is secured with screws to the steering column. The wiper system functions of this module are passive on vehicles equipped with the optional automatic wiper system.

Hard wired circuitry connects the wiper and washer system components to the electrical system of the vehicle. These hard wired circuits are integral to several wire harnesses, which are routed throughout the vehicle and retained by many different methods. These circuits may be connected to each other, to the vehicle electrical system and to the wiper and washer system components through the use of a combination of soldered splices, splice block connectors, and many different types of wire harness terminal connectors and insulators. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, further details on wire harness routing and retention, as well as pin-out and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.