Diagnosis And Testing - Rear Wiper And Washer System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Dodge Journey and 2015 Dodge Journey. 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 (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Refer to WARNING . 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, 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. Refer to CLEANING and INSPECTION .

The hard wired rear wiper and washer system circuits and components may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes 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 and 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.

NOTE:

The rear wiper and washer switches are integral to the multifunction switch. The multifunction switch communicates with the Steering Control Module (SCM), which is also integral and internal to the multifunction switch. The SCM communicates with the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) which is integral to the clockspring over the Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus. The SAS communicates with the Body Control Module (BCM) (also known as the Common Body Controller/CBC) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus. Before performing any of the following tests, determine whether the other functions of the multifunction switch are operational. If other functions of the multifunction switch are ineffective, diagnose and repair that problem before attempting to repair the Rear Wiper and Washer System.

REAR WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
CONDITION	POSSIBLE CAUSES	CORRECTION
WIPER MOTOR DOES NOT OPERATE IN ANY SWITCH POSITION	1. Ineffective motor ground circuit.	1. Test and repair open wiper motor ground circuit if required.
	2. Ineffective motor feed circuits.	2. Test and repair motor feed circuit between BCM and rear wiper motor if required.
	3. Ineffective SCM inputs or outputs.	3. Use a diagnostic scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information for further SCM diagnosis.
	4. Ineffective SAS inputs or outputs.	4. Use a diagnostic scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information for further SAS diagnosis.
	5. Ineffective BCM inputs or outputs.	5. Use a diagnostic scan tool to test the BCM inputs and outputs. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	6. Ineffective wiper motor.	6. Test and replace open or shorted wiper motor if required.
WIPER DOES NOT PARK CORRECTLY	1. Ineffective wiper motor park switch input circuit.	1. Test and repair wiper park switch input circuit between BCM and rear wiper motor if required.
	2. Ineffective BCM inputs or outputs.	2. Use a diagnostic scan tool to test the BCM inputs and outputs. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	3. Ineffective wiper motor park switch.	3. Test and replace ineffective wiper motor if required.
WIPER MOTOR OPERATES SLOWLY	1. Ineffective wiper motor.	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 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. If binding is detected, lubricate or replace grommet if required. If no binding is detected, replace the wiper motor if required.
WASHER PUMP DOES NOT OPERATE	1. Ineffective washer pump ground circuit.	1. Test and repair open washer pump ground circuit if required.
	2. Ineffective washer pump feed circuits.	2. Test and repair washer pump feed circuits between BCM and washer pump if required.
	3. Ineffective SCM inputs or outputs.	3. Use a diagnostic scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information for further SCM diagnosis.
	4. Ineffective SAS inputs or outputs.	4. Use a diagnostic scan tool and the appropriate diagnostic information for further SAS diagnosis.
	5. Ineffective BCM inputs or outputs.	5. Use a diagnostic scan tool to test the BCM inputs and outputs. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.
	6. Ineffective washer pump.	6. Test and replace open or shorted washer pump if required.