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Test Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.

  1. 2:  This step will pinpoint which specific wiper functions are inoperative. The wipers should operate for all active windshield wiper switch positions. When the wiper switch is OFF and only the windshield washer switch is activated, the wipers should wipe the windshield 3-5 times and then park.
  2. 6:  This step will help to pinpoint which specific circuit or component may be involved in the malfunction. When the Wash, and Park modes are inoperative as well as the Intermittent mode, the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit and associated components are suspect. When the wipers operate for the Park mode but the Intermittent and Wash modes are both inoperative, suspect the accessory voltage feed circuit of the FRT WIPER Relay or an associated component.
  3. 12:  This step is used when the wipers fail to wipe the windshield while only the washer switch is activated.
  4. 13:  This step is used when the wipers still operate in all wiping modes, but fail to Park at the full down position. If this condition is present while the wipers are being operated in the Intermittent mode, the wipers typically will not return to the full down position. Instead, they will stop at random positions on the windshield and in between the timed wiper strokes. Or, if the wipers are being operated in either the High or Low mode, the wipers will stop in mid-stroke when the wiper switch is turned OFF.
Wipers Inoperative - One or More Modes (Front Wipers)

Step Action Yes No
Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer Schematics 
Connector End View Reference: Master Electrical Component List
DEFINITION: The front windshield wipers are inoperative in one or more modes. The windshield washer still operates.
1 Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle? Go to Step 2  Go to Diagnostic System Check - Vehicle
2 
  1. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  2. Operate the windshield wiper switch through all switch positions.
  3. Turn the windshield wiper switch OFF.
  4. With the windshield wiper switch OFF, operate the front windshield washer switch to ON.
Do the windshield wipers operate as described in the Description and Operation?		 Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections Go to Step 3 
3 Are the windshield wipers completely inoperative? Go to Step 10  Go to Step 4 
4 Are the windshield wipers inoperative for every mode except High speed? Go to Step 11  Go to Step 5 
5 Are the wipers inoperative in the Intermittent mode? Go to Step 6  Go to Step 7 
6  In addition to the Intermittent mode, are the windshield wipers inoperative for one or both of the following two modes?
  • Wash
  • Park
 Go to Step 17  Go to Step 14 
7
IMPORTANT: When the windshield washer mode is activated with the windshield wiper switch OFF, the windshield wipers should wipe the windshield 3-5 times and then park.
Are the wipers inoperative for only the Wash mode?		 Go to Step 12  Go to Step 8 
8 Are the wipers inoperative for only the Park mode? Go to Step 13  Go to Step 9 
9 The wipers are inoperative for only the High speed mode.
  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper motor high speed circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the high speed position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 22 
10 The windshield wipers are totally inoperative.

  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.

  2. With a test lamp connected to battery positive voltage, probe the windshield wiper motor ground circuit.

Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 16  Go to Step 29 
11 The windshield wipers operate only in High speed.
  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper motor low speed circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the low speed position.

Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 20 
12  The windshield wipers are inoperative for only the Wash mode.
  1. Disconnect the body control module (BCM) C2 harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield washer pump control circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield washer switch to ON.

Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 25  Go to Step 21 
13  The wipers are inoperative for only the Park mode.
  1. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. Test for continuity between the windshield wiper motor park switch signal circuit and ground circuit of the wiper motor, at the wiper motor pins.

Is there continuity?		 Go to Step 15  Go to Step 24 
14 The wipers are inoperative for only the Intermittent mode.
  1. Disconnect the body control module (BCM) C2 harness connector.
  2. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper switch pulse delay signal circuit of the harness connector.
  3. Operate the windshield washer switch through all of the Intermittent positions.

Is the test lamp illuminated for all of the Intermittent positions?		 Go to Step 25  Go to Step 23 
15
  1. Connect the windshield wiper motor harness connector.
  2. Disconnect the FRT WIPER Relay.
  3. With a test lamp connected to battery positive voltage, probe the windshield wiper motor park switch signal circuit of the underhood fuse block.
Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 33  Go to Step 30 
16
  1. Connect the test lamp between ground and the windshield wiper motor high speed circuit of the harness connector.
  2. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the high speed position.
  3. Connect the test lamp between ground and the windshield wiper motor low speed circuit of the harness connector.
  4. Operate the windshield wiper switch to the low speed position.
Does the test lamp illuminate for both the high and the low positions?		 Go to Step 24  Go to Step 26 
17
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Disconnect the FRT WIPER Relay.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the accessory voltage feed circuits of the FRT WIPER Relay, at the underhood fuse block.
Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 18  Go to Step 28 
18
  1. Turn OFF the ignition.
  2. Connect a 3-amp fused jumper between the accessory voltage feed circuit and the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit, at the underhood fuse block.
  3. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
  4. Turn the windshield wiper switch to the Intermittent position.
  5. With a test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit, at the windshield wiper switch terminal.
Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 19  Go to Step 27 
19 With the test lamp connected to ground, probe the windshield wiper switch low speed circuit, at the windshield wiper switch terminal.
Does the test lamp illuminate?		 Go to Step 33  Go to Step 26 
20 Test the windshield wiper motor low speed circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .
Did you find and correct the condition?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 26 
21 Test the windshield washer pump control circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .
Did you find and correct the condition?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 26 
22 Test the windshield wiper motor high speed circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .
Did you find and correct the condition?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 26 
23 Test the windshield wiper switch pulse delay signal circuit for an open. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .
Did you find and correct the condition?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 26 
24 Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the windshield wiper motor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .
Did you find and correct the condition?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 32 
25 Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the BCM. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .
Did you find and correct the condition?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 34 
26 Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the windshield wiper washer switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs .
Did you find and correct the condition?		 Go to Step 35  Go to Step 31 
27 Repair the windshield wiper switch mist/off/low signal circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Connector Repairs and Wiring Repairs .
Did you complete the repair?		 Go to Step 35  -
28 Repair the accessory voltage feed circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Connector Repairs and Wiring Repairs .
Did you complete the repair?		 Go to Step 35  -
29 Repair the open ground circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .
Did you complete the repair?		 Go to Step 35  -
30 Repair the windshield wiper motor park switch signal circuit for an open or a high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs .
Did you complete the repair?		 Go to Step 35  -
31 Replace the windshield wiper washer switch. Refer to Turn Signal Multifunction Switch Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement?		 Go to Step 35  -
32 Replace the windshield wiper motor. Refer to Wiper Motor Replacement .
Did you complete the replacement?		 Go to Step 35  -
33 Replace the FRT WIPER relay. Refer to Relay Replacement (Attached to Wire Harness) or Relay Replacement (Within an Electrical Center) .
Did you complete the replacement?		 Go to Step 35  -
34 Replace the BCM. Refer to Control Module References for replacement, setup, and programming.
Did you complete the replacement?		 Go to Step 35  -
35 Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?		 System OK Go to Step 2 
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