Installation; Washer Fluid Level Switch; Description; Operation - Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual

DR
CHECK VALVE (Continued)
Fig. 5 Check Valve Remove/Install
1 - WASHER NOZZLE HOSE (RIGHT)
2 - CHECK VALVE
3 - ROUTING CLIP
4 - COWL PLENUM WASHER HOSE
5 - COWL PLENUM COVER/GRILLE PANEL (UNDERSIDE)
6 - WASHER NOZZLE HOSE (LEFT)

INSTALLATION

(1) Position the check valve to the underside of the
cowl plenum cover/grille panel (Fig. 5). Be certain
that the flow direction arrow molded into the check
valve body is oriented towards the washer nozzles.
(2) From the underside of the cowl plenum cover/
grille panel, reconnect the cowl plenum and washer
nozzle hoses to the three barbed nipples of the check
valve.
(3) Reinstall the cowl plenum cover/grille panel
over the cowl plenum. (Refer to 23 - BODY/EXTERI-
OR/COWL GRILLE - INSTALLATION).
(4) Close and latch the hood.
(5) Reinstall both wiper arms onto the wiper piv-
ots. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/
WIPER ARM - INSTALLATION).
WASHER FLUID LEVEL
SWITCH

DESCRIPTION

The washer fluid level switch is a single pole, sin-
gle throw reed-type switch mounted on the outboard
side of the of the washer reservoir in the engine com-
partment (Fig. 6). Only the molded plastic switch
mounting flange and the integral connector recepta-
cle are visible when the switch is installed in the res-
ervoir. A short nipple formation extends from the
inner surface of the switch mounting flange, and a
barb on the nipple near the switch mounting flange
is pressed through a rubber grommet seal installed
in the mounting hole of the reservoir.
Fig. 6 Washer Fluid Level Switch
1 - MOUNTING FLANGE
2 - BARBED NIPPLE
3 - FLOAT
4 - RESERVOIR
5 - GROMMET SEAL
6 - PIVOT
7 - MAGNET
8 - CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE
A small, molded plastic float has two pivot pins
near its center that are snapped into two receptacles
near the ends of two stanchions that extend toward
the float from the switch nipple formation. A small
magnet is secured within the end of the float nearest
the switch nipple formation, and a reed switch is con-
cealed within the nipple. A diagnostic resistor is con-
nected between the two switch terminals within the
switch mounting flange. The washer fluid level
switch cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or
damaged, the switch must be replaced.

OPERATION

The washer fluid level switch uses a pivoting,
oblong float to monitor the level of the washer fluid
in the washer reservoir. The float contains a small
magnet. When the float pivots, the proximity of this
magnet to a stationary reed switch within the nipple
formation of the switch changes. When the fluid level
in the washer reservoir is at or above the float level,
the float moves to a vertical position, the influence of
the float magnetic field is removed from the reed
switch, and the normally open reed switch contacts
open. When the fluid level in the washer reservoir
falls below the level of the pivoting float, the float
moves to a horizontal position, the influence of the
float magnetic field is applied to the reed switch, and
the contacts of the normally open reed switch close.
WIPERS/WASHERS 8R - 9