Dodge 2000 DURANGO Service Manual page 386

8K - 2 WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEMS
GENERAL INFORMATION (Continued)
The washers will operate only when the ignition
switch is in the Accessory or On positions. A fuse
located in the junction block protects the circuitry of
the washer system.
Following are general descriptions of the major
components in the windshield washer system. Refer
to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for
more information on the features, use and operation
of the windshield washer system.
REAR WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM
A rear wiper and washer system is standard facto-
ry-installed equipment on this model. The rear wiper
is a single speed intermittent-cycle wiper system. A
single rear window switch module in the instrument
panel lower bezel contains two separate switches.
One switch controls both the rear wiper and washer
systems, while the second switch controls the rear
window defogger system.
The rear wiper motor has in integral electronic
timer module, and is mounted inside the liftgate
below the rear window glass. The rear washer sys-
tem has a dedicated washer pump and plumbing, but
shares the windshield washer reservoir located in the
engine compartment.
The rear wiper and washer systems will operate
only when the ignition switch is in the On position. A
fuse in the junction block protects the circuitry of
both the rear wiper and washer systems.
Refer to the owner's manual in the vehicle glove
box for more information on the features, use and
operation of the rear wiper and washer system.
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
WIPER ARM AND BLADE
All Durango models have two 50-centimeter (19.69-
inch) windshield wiper blades with non-replaceable
rubber elements (squeegees). The driver side and
passenger side wiper blades are not interchangeable.
The driver side blade features an additional bridge,
which provides an additional set of claws to retain
the wiper squeegees than the six sets of claws used
on the passenger side blade. These wiper blades
include an anti-lift feature. The wiper blades and
squeegees must be oriented correctly when installed
on the wiper arms for the anti-lift feature to be effec-
tive. See Wiper Blade in the Removal and Installa-
tion section of this group for more information. The
standard rear wiper uses a single 40.0-centimeter
(15.75-inch) wiper blade with a non-replaceable rub-
ber element (squeegee).
Caution should be exercised to protect the rubber
squeegees from any petroleum-based cleaners or con-
taminants, which will rapidly deteriorate the rubber.
If the squeegees are damaged, worn, or contami-
nated, the entire wiper blade assembly must be
replaced.
Wiper squeegees exposed to the elements for a long
time tend to lose their wiping effectiveness. Periodic
cleaning of the squeegees is suggested to remove
deposits of salt and road film. The wiper blades,
arms, and windshield or rear glass should be cleaned
with a sponge or cloth and windshield washer fluid, a
mild detergent, or a non-abrasive cleaner. If the
squeegees continue to streak or smear, the wiper
blades should be replaced.
The blades are mounted to spring-loaded wiper
arms. The spring tension of the wiper arms controls
the pressure applied to the blades on the glass. The
windshield wiper arms are secured by a nut to each
of the two wiper pivots that protrude through the
cowl plenum cover/grille panel at the base of the
windshield. The rear wiper arm is secured by a nut
directly to the rear wiper motor output shaft on the
liftgate below the rear window glass.
The wiper arms and blades cannot be adjusted or
repaired. If faulty or damaged, they must be
replaced.
WIPER LINKAGE AND PIVOT
The wiper linkage and pivot module is secured
with four screws through four rubber grommet-type
insulators to the cowl plenum panel beneath the cowl
plenum cover/grille panel. The wiper motor is
secured with screws near the center of the tubular
linkage and pivot module bracket, and the wiper piv-
ots are secured to the ends of the module bracket.
The two wiper pivot crank arms and the wiper
motor crank arm each have ball studs on their ends.
The motor crank arm ball stud is the longer of the
three. Two drive links connect the motor crank arm
to the pivot crank arms.
The passenger side drive link has a plastic socket-
type bushing on each end. The driver side drive link
has a plastic socket-type bushing on one end, and a
plastic sleeve-type bushing on the other end. The
socket-type bushing on one end of each drive link is
snap-fit over the ball stud on the crank arm of its
respective pivot. The driver side drive link sleeve-
type bushing end is then fit over the motor crank
arm ball stud, and the second socket-type bushing of
the passenger side drive link is snap-fit over the
exposed end of the motor crank arm ball stud.
The wiper linkage, pivots, bushings, mounting
bracket, and motor are only serviced as a complete
unit. If any part of this assembly is faulty or dam-
aged, the entire wiper module must be replaced.
DN