WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM


  1. FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS

    Component Function

    Windshield Wiper Switch Assembly


    • Washer Switch

    • Automatic Control Adjuster

    • Wiper Control Switch

    • Outputs the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly to the windshield wiper motor assembly via the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU).

    • Setting the AUTO switch on will cause the rain sensing function to operate.
    Rain Sensor Senses rain when the AUTO switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is on, and sends signals to the windshield wiper switch assembly via the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU).

    Windshield Wiper Motor Assembly


    • Wiper ECU

    • Activates the front wipers in accordance with the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly via the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU).

    • Allows operation of the front wipers via the fail-safe function if a malfunction occurs in the wiper ECU.
    Windshield Washer Motor and Pump Assembly Activates in accordance with the signal from the windshield wiper switch assembly via the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU).
    ECM Sends the shift position signal to the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU).
    Combination Meter Assembly

    • Sends the vehicle speed signal to the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU).

    • Warns the driver through the warning message on the multi-information display when the volume of washer fluid decreases to below a certain level.*
    Main Body ECU (Multiplex Network Body ECU) Receives signals from various sensors and ECUs and sends them to the windshield wiper motor assembly and windshield washer motor and pump assembly.
    Steering Sensor Outputs the position signal of the windshield wiper switch assembly to the main body ECU (multiplex network body ECU).
    Central Gateway ECU (Network Gateway ECU) Relays data between buses.
    Level Warning Switch Assembly* Outputs a signal to the combination meter assembly when the volume of washer fluid decreases to below a certain level.

    *: Models with washer fluid level warning function

  2. FUNCTION


    1. Rain Sensing Function


      1. When the AUTO switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is on, the rain sensor mounted on the upper area of the windshield detects the amount of rain and the luminance of the surrounding area. When the rain sensor detects rain, it sends an optimal wiper timing signal to the wiper ECU (windshield wiper motor assembly) in accordance with the vehicle speed, luminance of the surrounding area and the amount of rain detected.

      2. The wiper ECU (windshield wiper motor assembly) changes the operation of the windshield wiper motor assembly as shown in the following table, based on wiper operation request signals sent from the rain sensor. If a wiper HI operation request signal is received due to a sudden increase of the amount of rain, such as a splash on the windshield, the wipers are operated continuously on HI.

      3. The rain sensor detects the luminance of the surrounding area. If the luminance changes such as when the vehicle goes in or out of a tunnel, the rain sensor sends a wiper operation request signal in accordance with the situation, enabling the wipers to operate at a comfortable setting.

        Wiper Operation
        Amount of Rain While Being Driven While Stopped
        Large Continuously (at HI) Continuously (at LO)
        ↓↑ Continuously (at LO) Continuously (at LO)
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 0.6-second Intervals Intermittently at Approximately 0.8-second Intervals
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 1.2-second Intervals Intermittently at Approximately 1.6-second Intervals
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 2.1-second Intervals Intermittently at Approximately 3.1-second Intervals
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 3.5-second Intervals Intermittently at Approximately 5.4-second Intervals
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 5.9-second Intervals Intermittently at Approximately 9.7-second Intervals
        ↓↑ Intermittently at Approximately 10.1-second Intervals Intermittently at Approximately 17.5-second Intervals
        Small Intermittently at Approximately 17.9-second Intervals Intermittently at Approximately 32.7-Second Intervals
        No detection Not operated Not operated

    2. Rain Sensor Sensitivity Adjustment Function


      1. When the wiper control switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) is in AUTO, operating the sensitivity switch adjusts the sensitivity of the rain sensor to adjust the wiper operation timing.

        Tech Tips

        When the sensitivity switch is operated to the sensitive side, the wipers operate once regardless of the amount of rain.

    3. Washer-linked Wiper with Drip-prevention Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch assembly is set to off or AUTO and the washer switch is turned on more than 0.5 seconds, the wipers start on LO at the same time as the washer fluid is sprayed.

      2. The wipers operate 3 times on LO after the washer switch is turned off.

      3. When the washer switch is turned on for approximately 0.5 seconds or more and vehicle speed is approximately 7 km/h (4 mph) or less, as shown in the following diagram, after the end of this operation, the wipers operate once more.

        B006WCAE01

    4. Vehicle Speed-Sensing, Adjustable Interval Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch is assembly in the INT position, the interval time of the wiper is controlled in 3 stages in accordance with the automatic control adjuster position and the vehicle speed.

      2. The interval time can be controlled steplessly within each range.

        B006WCEE21

    5. Vehicle Speed Switching Function


      1. When the windshield wiper switch assembly is in the LO position and the vehicle stops moving, wiper operation is automatically switched to intermittent operation.

      2. When the vehicle stops moving and the windshield wiper switch assembly is in the LO position, the wipers operate twice in LO. It then switches to intermittent operation with an interval time of approximately 2.5 seconds. If the vehicle starts moving during this intermittent wiper operation, the wiper automatically returns to LO operation. In addition, setting the interval time adjuster in the FAST position operates the wipers in LO when the vehicle stops moving.

        B006WBOE04

    6. Smooth High/low Speed Switching Control Function


      1. When the wiper is switched from high-speed to low-speed, the system gradually slows down the wiper over 3 upward and 3 downward sweeps of the blade.

        B006WJSC02
        *1 Upper reverse position *2 Lower reverse position
        *a Downward Sweep *b Upward Sweep
        *c Windshield Wiper Switch Position *d HI Operation
        *e First Cycle *f Second Cycle
        *g Third Cycle *h Fourth Cycle (LO Operation)
        *i Operation direction *j Wiper Wipe Speed
        *k Hi *l Lo

    7. Door Open Linked Wiper Suspend Function


      1. When the front door is opened with the front wipers operating and the wiper control switch (windshield wiper switch assembly) in the AUTO position, operation of the front wipers is stopped in order to prevent water splashing while getting in or out of the vehicle.

    8. Service Position Function


      1. The front wipers can be set to the service position by moving the wiper switch to the MIST position for 2 seconds or more within 45 seconds of turning the ignition switch off. When set to the service position, the front wiper arms can be lifted and secured in the lock-back position for easy removal and installation of the wiper rubbers or to prevent the wiper blades from being locked by ice, snow or frost in winter.

      2. The front wipers can be returned from the service position by turning the ignition switch ON and operating the front wipers with the windshield wiper switch assembly in any position. The front wipers will operate according to the windshield wiper switch position.

      3. When the front wipers are returned from the service position, the windshield wiper motor assembly operates at a slow speed for the first cycle. By operating the windshield wiper motor assembly at a slow speed for the first cycle, damage to the engine hood due to contact with a wiper arm in the lock-back position can be minimized. If the wiper arm contacts the engine hood, the windshield wiper motor is stopped after being operated in reverse.

        Tech Tips

        If the ignition switch is off and the wiper arms are in the service position, the wipers or MIST cannot be operated.

  3. FAIL-SAFE


    1. The windshield wiper switch assembly has a fail-safe function which performs wiper control as shown in the table below when a related switch or sensor is malfunctioning:

      Trouble Condition
      Communication Signal Malfunction If a malfunction occurs in the LIN communication signal, control will continue while preserving the same control status that was in effect before the malfunction occurred.
      Rain Sensor Malfunction If a malfunction occurs in the rain sensor, intermittent operation will be conducted in accordance with the position of the automatic control adjuster.
      Rain Sensor Temperature Malfunction If the temperature of the rain sensor becomes abnormally high or low, control will be stopped.
      Rain Sensor Low Voltage If the voltage of the power source of the rain sensor becomes low, control will continue while preserving the same control status that was in effect before the malfunction occurred.
      Windshield Wiper Motor Assembly Overheat If the windshield wiper motor assembly temperature is excessively high, its operating speed is decreased according to its temperature.
      Foreign Object Detected near Extremities of Wiper Movement If the wipers are stopped by a foreign object near the extremities of the wiper movement, the wipers reverse direction.
      Foreign Object Detected near Center of Windshield Grass If the wipers are stopped by a foreign object near the center of the wiper movement, the wipers are stopped.
      Excessive Load Detected If an excessive load is detected during operation of the wipers, the wiper speed is decreased. When the load returns to normal, the wiper speed returns to normal.
      Windshield Wiper Motor Assembly Power Source Voltage Malfunction If the power source voltage of the windshield wiper motor assembly is too high or too low, operation of the wipers is stopped.