Grand Cherokee 4WD V8-4.7L (2003)
Windshield Washer Spray Nozzle: Description and Operation
Rear
Fig. 4 Rear Washer Nozzle
REAR WASHER NOZZLE
The rear washer nozzle is a fluidic type unit constructed of molded plastic that includes an integral check valve. The nozzle is secured by a snap fit in
a dedicated mounting hole located in the outer liftgate panel above the liftgate flip-up glass. A rubber gasket on the back of the nozzle seals the nozzle
to the liftgate panel opening. The back of the nozzle includes an integral alignment feature, an integral tab, and an integral latch feature, an integral
check valve, and the washer plumbing nipple which are all concealed between the liftgate outer and inner panels.
Within the rear nozzle body a small check ball is held against an integral valve seat at the inlet end of the nozzle by a small coiled spring. The rear
washer nozzle and check valve unit cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or damaged, the entire nozzle and check valve unit must be replaced.
The rear washer nozzle is designed to dispense washer fluid into the wiper pattern area on the outside of the liftgate flip-up glass. Pressurized washer
fluid is fed to the nozzle from the washer reservoir by the rear washer pump/motor through a single hose, which is attached to a barbed nipple on the
back of the rear washer nozzle. A fluidic matrix within the washer nozzle causes the pressurized washer fluid to be emitted from the nozzle orifice as
an oscillating stream to more effectively cover a larger area of the glass to be cleaned.
The integral rear nozzle check valve provides more than one function in this application. It prevents washer fluid from draining out of the rear washer
supply hoses back to the washer reservoir. This drain-back would result in a lengthy delay from when the rear washer switch is actuated until washer
fluid was dispensed through the rear washer nozzle, because the rear washer pump would have to refill the rear washer plumbing from the reservoir to
the nozzle. Such a drain-back condition could also result in water, dirt, or other outside contaminants being siphoned into the washer system through
the washer nozzle orifice. This water could subsequently freeze and plug the nozzle, while other contaminants could interfere with proper nozzle
operation and cause improper nozzle spray patterns. In addition, the rear check valve prevents washer fluid from siphoning out through the rear washer
nozzle after the rear washer system is turned Off.
When the rear washer pump pressurizes and pumps washer fluid from the reservoir through the rear washer plumbing, the fluid pressure unseats a
check ball from a seat within the valve by overriding the pressure applied to the ball within the valve by a small coiled spring. With the check ball
unseated, washer fluid is allowed to flow toward the rear washer nozzle. When the rear washer pump stops operating, the spring pressure on the check
ball seats the ball in the valve and fluid flow in either direction within the rear washer plumbing is prevented. The rear washer nozzle and check valve
unit cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced.
