WINDSCREEN WASH/WIPE - Description

Description

The windscreen wash/wipe system is operated by a lever on the right side of the steering wheel. The lever can be set to five positions that correspond to different functions by rotating it in a clockwise direction:

• windscreen wiper off (standstill);
• intermittent / automatic operation;
• continuous slow operation;
• continuous fast operation;
• 'antipanic' temporary fast operation (unstable position, turning the lever in an anti-clockwise direction).

Four different functions can be selected by rotating the ring nut in the intermittent / automatic operating position:

• on the 'BASIC version the different intermittent speeds come on (from the slowest to the fastest;
• on the version with a rain sensor: the different sensor settings comes on: the activation of the rain sensor operates a windscreen wiper stroke as feed-back that the function has been switched on.

The adjustment of the windscreen wiper stroke frequency is automatic depending on the amount of water on the windscreen detected by the actual sensor: the frequency varies with continuity from nil (no stroke - windscreen dry) to wiping at the second continuous speed (heavy rain).

The windscreen wiper function is operated by pulling the lever toward the steering wheel: this action operates the washer pump: if the lever is held in position, the windscreen wiper also operates according to a specific control logic: the windscreen wiper is activated at the first speed: when the windcreen washer control ceases, an additional stroke is carried out.

The control of the functions described above is carried out by an electronic device inside the steering column switch unit which produces the intermittent function, controls the operation of the windscreen wiper motor and the electric windscreen washer pump and manages the rain sensor.

The windscreen wash/wipe circuit is protected by a specific fuse and is operated by the ignition-operated relay located in the underdashboard control unit.

The windscreen wiper and washer can be operated with the ignition key turned to MAR.(INT/A).