Wipers and washers (Washers): Description and operation

Rear wiper motor

The DC motor contains two permanent magnets and a park switch. An earth braid attached between the motor casing and the brush pack is utilised to minimise radio interference during wiper functions.

The rear wiper switch provides an earth signal to the BCU, which determines the delay interval, if appropriate. The BCU then signals the IDM to activate the rear wiper motor relay, which provides power to the rear wiper motor.

To allow the rear wiper to park when the rear wiper is switched off, power flows through the park switch until a cam in the wiper motor assembly breaks the contact of the park switch. Triggering the park switch grounds the positive side of the wiper motor causing it to stop abruptly

Washers

The washer system comprises a reservoir, washer pumps, hoses and washer jets. The front washers are controlled from a stalk switch on the steering column and the rear washers are operated by a non-latching pushbutton switch on the fascia adjacent to the instrument pack.

Reservoir The reservoir is located behind the front bumper in the inner wheel arch and has a capacity of 6.0 litres (12.5 US pints). A filler neck tube is connected to the reservoir with a seal and extends into the engine compartment on the front left hand side. The filler neck tube contains a removable filter to prevent particle contamination and a yellow float to show reservoir contents. The washer filler neck tube is sealed with a cap which is coloured blue for identification.

Two electric washer pumps are located on the rear face of the reservoir and supply washer fluid to the front windscreen and the tail door window. Each pump is sealed to the reservoir with a rubber sealing grommet.

On vehicles with headlamp powerwash fitted, a third pump is fitted with a sealing grommet to the front face of the reservoir.

The reservoir and filler neck tube are manufactured from moulded opaque nylon. The reservoir has moulded lugs for attachment to the vehicle body. A bracket is attached to the top of the filler neck tube and locates in a hole in the body to secure the top of the tube.