Diagnosis and Testing: Front

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Dodge Caliber. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

If the front wiper motor operates, but the wipers do not move on the windshield, replace the ineffective front wiper module. If the washer pump/motor operates, but no washer fluid is dispensed on the glass; or, if the wipers operate, but chatter, lift, or do not clear the glass, clean and inspect the front wiper and washer system components as required.

The hard wired front wiper and washer system circuits and components may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . The wiring information includes SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS , proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds.

However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the front wiper and washer system or the electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide some features of the front wiper and washer system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the front wiper and washer system or the electronic controls and communication related to front wiper and washer system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.

CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSES	CORRECTION
WIPER MOTOR DOES NOT OPERATE IN ANY SWITCH POSITION	1. Ineffective ground circuit.	1. Test and repair open wiper motor ground circuit if required.
	2. Ineffective switch.	2. Test and replace right multi-function switch if required. See Electrical/Wipers/Washers/SWITCH, Multifunction - Diagnosis and Testing .
	3. Ineffective switch jumper harness.	3. Test and repair or replace open multi-function switch jumper harness if required.
	4. Ineffective SCM.	4. Use a diagnostic scan tool to check for SCM Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and correct if required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	5. Ineffective LIN bus.	5. Use a diagnostic scan tool to check for LIN DTCs and correct if required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	6. Ineffective EMIC (CCN).	6. Use a diagnostic scan tool to check for CCN DTCs and correct if required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	7. Ineffective CAN bus.	7. Use a diagnostic scan tool to check for CAN DTCs and correct if required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	8. Ineffective TIPM.	8. Use a diagnostic scan tool to check for TIPM DTCs and correct if required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	9. Ineffective wiper motor.	9. Test and replace open or shorted wiper motor as required.
WIPER MOTOR OPERATES SLOWLY IN ALL SWITCH POSITIONS	1. Ineffective wiper motor.	1. Check amperage draw with linkage disconnected from wiper motor crank arm. Correct draw should be about 6 amperes. If incorrect, refer to the appropriate Possible Cause that follows:
	2. Amperage draw too low.	2. Test and repair shorted low or high speed feed circuit if required.
	3. Amperage draw too high.	3. With linkage disconnected from wiper motor crank arm check linkage and pivots for binding. If binding is detected, repair or replace front wiper module if required. If no linkage binding detected, replace the front wiper motor if required.
WIPERS RUN AT HIGH SPEED WITH SWITCH LOW SPEED SELECTED OR AT LOW SPEED WITH SWITCH HIGH SPEED SELECTED	1. Ineffective motor feed circuit wiring.	1. Test and repair low speed and high speed feed circuit wiring between TIPM and front wiper motor if required.
	2. Ineffective switch wiring.	2. Test and repair jumper harness wiring between right multi-function switch and SCM (left multi-function switch) if required.
	3. Ineffective right multi-function switch.	3. Test and replace right multi-function switch if required. See Electrical/Wipers/Washers/SWITCH, Multifunction - Diagnosis and Testing .