Section 522 (Wiper System & Washer System): Wipers/Washers: Operation: Rear: Notes

The rear wiper and washer system is designed to provide the vehicle operator with a convenient, safe, and reliable means of maintaining visibility through the rear flip-up glass. The various components of this system are designed to convert electrical energy produced by the vehicle electrical system into the mechanical action of the wiper blade to wipe the outside surface of the glass, as well as into the hydraulic action of the washer system to apply washer fluid stored in an on-board reservoir to the area of the glass to be wiped. When combined, these components provide the means to effectively maintain clear visibility for the vehicle operator by removing excess accumulations of rain, snow, bugs, mud, or other minor debris from the rear flip-up glass surface that might be encountered while driving the vehicle under numerous types of inclement operating conditions.

The vehicle operator initiates all rear wiper and washer system functions with the right (wiper) control stalk of the multi-function switch that extends from the right side of the steering column, just below the steering wheel. Rotating the control ring on the control stalk to a detent position selects the Off, Delay, or On rear wiper system operating modes. Rotating the control ring on the control stalk to either of two Wash positions actuates the momentary rear washer system switch. The multi-function switch provides hard wired outputs to the rear wiper module and the washer pump/motor unit for all rear wiper and washer system functions.

The rear wiper and washer system will only operate when the ignition switch is in the Accessory or On positions, and the rear flip-up glass and tailgate ajar switches are closed. Battery current is directed from a fuse in the Junction Block (JB) to the multi-function switch through a fused ignition switch output (run-accessory) circuit. The internal circuitry of the right (wiper) control stalk of the multi-function switch then provides battery current signals through a rear wiper on driver circuit and a rear wiper intermittent driver circuit to the rear wiper module and to the Body Control Module (BCM). The BCM uses these rear wiper system inputs as a signal to lock the rear flip-up glass and the tailgate to prevent the rear flip-up glass or tailgate from being opened for as long as the rear wiper is operating. The multi-function switch circuitry also uses this battery current and a ground circuit input to directly control the operation and direction of the reversible electric washer pump/motor unit.

A separate fuse in the JB provides battery current to the electronic control circuitry of the rear wiper module through a fused B(+) circuit. The rear wiper module uses this fused B(+) input to park the rear wiper blade off of the rear flip-up glass if the ignition switch is turned to the Off position while the rear wiper is operating, or if the ignition switch is turned to the Off position before the rear wiper blade has parked. However, if the ignition switch is turned to the Off position while the rear wiper is operating, then turned back On, the rear wiper switch must be cycled to the Off position and back to the On or Delay position before the rear wiper will operate again. In addition, the rear wiper module receives an input from the rear flip-up glass ajar switch on a flip-up glass ajar switch sense circuit, which prevents the rear wiper from operating when the flip-up glass is not closed or fully latched.

The hard wired circuits and components of the rear wiper and washer system may be diagnosed and tested using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures.