501-16 Wiper And Washers: Description And Operation (page 2 of 17)

GENERAL 

The wiper and washer system is controlled by the Central Junction Box (CJB) on receipt of requests made by the driver or 
the rain/light sensor unit (if fitted). All wiper functions for the front and rear wipers are controlled from a multi-function 
wash/wipe switch assembly located on the right hand side of the steering column. 
 
The wiper and washer system comprises: 
 

Front and rear wiper motors  
A front wiper linkage  
Two front and one rear wiper arms and blades  
Two front washer jets and one rear washer jet  
A washer reservoir and pump  
A wash/wipe control column switch.  

The following optional items can be added to enhance the wiper system: 
 

A rain/light sensor for automatic wiper control  
Heated front washer jets  
Headlamp washers  
Low fluid level sensor (fitted to vehicles with headlamp washers).  

The wiper system can be optionally equipped with a rain/light sensor. The sensor, located below the interior rear view 
mirror, detects rain drops on the windscreen and automatically operates the wipers in the intermittent mode. The column 
stalk switch must be in the intermittent position for rain/light sensor controlled wiper operation. 
 
The front wiper system has five stages of operation and six intermittent delay periods. 
 
The five wiper stages are as follows: 
 

Flick wipe  
Off  
Intermittent  
Normal (slow) speed continuous  
Fast speed continuous  

Speed Control Intermittent Mode  
 
The intermittent, slow and fast speeds are affected by road speed, providing the speed control intermittent wipe mode has 
been configured. The intermittent wiper delay periods change with the road speed, with the delay decreasing as the road 
speed increases. 
 
Speed Dependant Wipe Mode  
 
When the speed dependant wipe mode has been configured, the normal continuous operation changes to intermittent 
operation when the vehicle is stationary. The fast speed operation changes to normal operation when the vehicle is 
stationary. 
 
The wiper and washers operate with the ignition switch in positions I or II. Wiper functions are suspended during engine 
cranking to reduce battery power consumption under high load conditions. 
 
Diagnostic information for the wiper system is available and can be retrieved using T4. 
 

5

Rear wiper relay (located in the Central Junction Box (CJB))

6

Wiper relay 1 (located in the Battery Junction Box (BJB))

7

Wiper relay 2 (located in the BJB)

8

Front wiper linkage and motor assembly, including wiper arms and blades

9

Washer reservoir and pumps

10

Headlamp washer jets