Diagnosis and Testing: Rear

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 personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, 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 supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment, possible personal injury or death.

If the rear wiper motor operates, but the wiper motor output shaft does not move, replace the ineffective rear wiper motor. If the washer pump/motor operates, but no washer fluid is dispensed on the glass; or, if the wiper operates, but chatters, lifts, or does not clear the glass, clean and inspect the rear wiper and washer system components as required.

The hard wired rear 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 rear wiper and washer system or the electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide some features of the rear wiper and washer system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the rear wiper and washer system or the electronic controls and communication related to rear 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 wiper motor ground circuit.	1. Test and repair open wiper motor ground circuit if required.
	2. Ineffective right multi-function switch.	2. Test and replace right multi-function switch if required. See Electrical/Wipers/Washers/SWITCH, Multifunction - Diagnosis and Testing .
	3. Ineffective multi-function 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 if required.
WIPER MOTOR OPERATES SLOWLY	1. Improper wiper motor amperage draw.	1. Check amperage draw with wiper arm disconnected from rear wiper motor output shaft. 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 the shorted rear wiper motor signal and fused ignition switch output (run - accessory) circuits if required.
	3. Amperage draw too high.	3. With wiper arm disconnected from wiper motor output shaft check for binding between output shaft and rubber grommet in liftgate glass. If binding is detected, lubricate or replace grommet if required. If no binding is detected, replace the wiper motor if required.