Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 966

When the control knob on the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch is moved to one of the five 
DELAY interval positions the SCM sends an electronic wiper switch delay interval status message to the 
EMIC, the EMIC relays an electronic wiper switch delay interval request message to the TIPM, then the 
TIPM electronic intermittent wipe logic circuit responds by calculating the correct length of time between wiper 
sweeps based upon the selected delay interval input. 

The TIPM monitors the changing state of the wiper motor park switch through a hard wired park switch sense 
input. This input allows the TIPM to determine the proper intervals at which to energize and de-energize the 
wiper motor intermittently for one low speed cycle at a time. 

The TIPM logic is also programmed to provide vehicle speed sensitivity to the selected intermittent wipe delay 
intervals. In order to provide this feature the TIPM monitors electronic vehicle speed messages from the 
Controller Antilock Brake (CAB) or the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and doubles the selected delay 
interval whenever the vehicle speed is about 16 kilometers-per-hour (10 miles-per-hour) or less. 

MIST WIPE MODE 

When the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch is moved downward to the momentary MIST 
position, the SCM sends an electronic wiper mist mode status message to the EMIC, the EMIC relays an 
electronic wiper mist mode request message to the TIPM, then the TIPM energizes the low speed brush of the 
wiper motor for as long as the switch is held closed, then de-energizes the motor when the state of the switch 
changes to open, parking the wiper blades near the base of the windshield. The TIPM can operate the front 
wiper motor in this mode for only one low speed cycle at a time, or for an indefinite number of sequential low 
speed cycles, depending upon how long the switch is held closed. 

WASH MODE 

When the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch is pulled rearward to the front momentary 
WASH position for more than about one-half second with the wiper system operating, the SCM sends an 
electronic washer switch status message to the EMIC, the EMIC relays an electronic washer switch request 
message to the TIPM, then the TIPM directs battery current and ground to the washer pump/motor. This will 
cause the washer pump/motor to be energized in the front wash direction for as long as the switch is held closed 
(up to approximately 10 seconds) and to be de-energized when the control stalk is released. 

When the control stalk is pulled rearward to the front momentary WASH position while the front wiper system 
is operating in one of the DELAY interval positions, the washer pump/motor operation is the same. However, 
the TIPM also overrides the selected delay interval and operates the front wiper motor in a continuous low 
speed mode for as long as the control stalk is held in the front momentary WASH position, then reverts to the 
selected delay interval several wipe cycles after the control stalk is released. If the WASH switch is held closed 
for more than approximately 10 seconds, the TIPM will suspend washer pump/motor operation until the control 
stalk is released for about 2 seconds and then cycled back to the WASH position. 

WIPE-AFTER-WASH MODE 

When the control stalk of the right (wiper) multi-function switch is pulled rearward to the front momentary 
WASH position for more than about one-half second while the wiper system is not operating, the SCM sends an 
electronic washer switch status message to the EMIC, the EMIC relays an electronic washer switch request 
message to the TIPM, and the TIPM directs battery current and ground to the washer pump/motor and energizes 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

  

the wiper motor in a continuous low speed mode for as long as the switch is held closed (up to approximately 
10 seconds). When the control stalk is released, the TIPM de-energizes the washer pump/motor immediately, 
but allows the wiper motor to operate for two or three additional wipe cycles before it de-energizes the wiper 
motor and parks the wiper blades near the base of the windshield. 

If the control stalk is held rearward for more than about 10 seconds, the TIPM will suspend washer pump/motor 
operation until the stalk is released for about 2 seconds and then cycled back to the WASH position; however, 
the wipers will continue to operate for as long as the switch is held closed. The TIPM monitors the changing 
state of the wiper motor park switch through a hard wired wiper park switch sense circuit input. This input 
allows the TIPM to count the number of wipe cycles that occur after the control stalk is released, and to 
determine the proper interval at which to de-energize the wiper motor to complete the WIPE-AFTER-WASH 
mode cycle. 

REAR WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM 

Fig. 4: Right (Wiper) Multi-Function Switch 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The rear wiper and washer system is designed to provide the vehicle operator with a convenient, safe, and 
reliable means of maintaining visibility through the liftgate glass. The various components of this system are 
designed to convert electrical energy produced by the vehicle electrical system into the mechanical action of the 
wiper blade to wipe the outside surface of the glass, as well as into the hydraulic action of the washer system to 
apply washer fluid stored in an on-board reservoir to the area of the glass to be wiped. When combined, these 
components provide the means to effectively maintain clear visibility for the vehicle operator by removing 
excess accumulations of rain, snow, bugs, mud, or other minor debris from the outer surface of the liftgate glass 
that might be encountered while driving the vehicle under numerous types of inclement operating conditions. 

The vehicle operator initiates all front and rear wiper and washer system functions with the control stalk (1) of 
the right (wiper) multi-function switch that extends from the right side of the steering column, just below the 
steering wheel. Rotating the control sleeve (3) on the control stalk to the OFF or INTERMITTENT detent 
positions or the momentary WASH position selects the rear wiper and washer system operating modes. 

The right multi-function switch provides hard wired analog and resistor multiplexed inputs to the Steering 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

  

Control Module (SCM) integral to the left (lighting) multi-function switch for all of the wiper and washer 
system functions. The SCM then sends electronic rear wiper/washer switch status messages to the Electro 
Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as the Cab Compartment Node/CCN) over a Local 
Interface Network (LIN) data bus. The EMIC then sends electronic rear wiper/washer switch request 
messages to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus 
requesting the appropriate rear wiper and washer system operating modes. 

Rear wiper and washer system operation is completely controlled by the SCM, EMIC and TIPM logic circuits, 
and that logic will only allow these systems to operate when the ignition switch is in the ACCESSORY or ON 
positions. The TIPM uses intelligent, high current, self-protected high side switches to control wiper system 
operation by energizing or de-energizing the rear wiper motor. The TIPM uses an H-bridge circuit to control the 
operation of the reversible washer pump/motor unit. The right multi-function switch circuitry receives a clean 
ground output from the SCM on a multi-function switch return circuit, then provides analog and resistor 
multiplexed inputs to the SCM to indicate the selected rear wiper and rear washer system mode. 

The hard wired circuits and components of the rear wiper and washer system may be diagnosed using 
conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, 
conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the rear wiper and washer system 
or the electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide some features of 
the rear wiper and washer system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to diagnose the rear wiper 
and washer system or the electronic controls and communication related to rear wiper and washer system 
operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. 

OPERATING MODES 

Following are paragraphs that briefly describe the operation of each of the rear wiper and washer system 
operating modes. 

INTERMITTENT WIPE MODE 

When the INTERMITTENT WIPE position of the control sleeve on the control stalk of the right multi-function 
switch is selected, the SCM sends an electronic rear wiper switch status message to the EMIC over the LIN 
data bus, then the EMIC relays an electronic rear wiper switch request message to the TIPM over the CAN 
data bus, and the TIPM directs battery current to the rear wiper motor at fixed delay intervals to enable the rear 
wiper motor intermittent wipe mode. 

WASH MODE 

When the control sleeve of the right multi-function switch is rotated counterclockwise past the 
INTERMITTENT detent position to the momentary rear WASH position, the SCM sends an electronic rear 
washer switch status message to the EMIC over the LIN data bus, then the EMIC relays an electronic rear 
washer switch request message to the TIPM over the CAN data bus, and the TIPM directs battery current to the 
rear wiper motor and directs battery current and ground to the washer pump/motor unit. These outputs will 
cause the washer pump motor and the rear wiper motor to operate continuously for as long as the switch is held 
closed up to approximately 10 seconds. The washer pump is de-energized as soon as the control sleeve is 
released, but the rear wiper motor continues to operate for two to three continuous cycles before reverting to the 
fixed delay interval operation. The TIPM uses a hard wired output from a park switch internal to the rear wiper 
motor as an additional logic input to monitor the position of the rear wiper blade on the glass and to control the 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro

  

number of continuous wiper sweeps following washer operation.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING 

FRONT WIPER AND WASHER SYSTEM 

If the front wiper motor operates, but the wipers do not move on the windshield, replace the ineffective front 
wiper module. If the washer pump/motor operates, but no washer fluid is dispensed on the glass; or, if the 
wipers operate, but chatter, lift, or do not clear the glass, clean and inspect the front wiper and washer system 
components as required. See CLEANING, and INSPECTION. 

The hard wired front wiper and washer system circuits and components may be diagnosed using conventional 
diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wiring information includes 
wiring diagrams, proper wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire harness routing and retention, 
connector pin-out information and location views for the various wire harness connectors, splices and grounds. 

However, conventional diagnostic methods will not prove conclusive in the diagnosis of the front wiper and 
washer system or the electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide 
some features of the front wiper and washer system. The most reliable, efficient, and accurate means to 
diagnose the front wiper and washer system or the electronic controls and communication related to front wiper 
and washer system operation requires the use of a diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic 
information. 

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable 
the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, 
steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt 
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or 
service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then 
wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing 
further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the 
supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions 
could result in accidental airbag deployment.

NOTE:

The front wiper and washer switches are integral to the right multi-function 
switch. The right multi-function switch is hard wired to the left multi-function 
switch/Steering Control Module (SCM), which communicates with the Electro 
Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC)/Cab Compartment Node (CCN) over the 
Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus. Before performing any of the following 
tests, determine whether the other functions of the right and left multi-function 
switch/SCM are operational. If only the right multi-function switch functions are 
inoperative, test and repair the right multi-function switch or the jumper 
harness between the right and left multi-function switches before attempting to 
repair the Front Wiper and Washer System. If both the right and left multi-
function switch/SCM functions are ineffective, diagnose and repair that problem 
before attempting to repair the Front Wiper and Washer System.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Wipers/Washers - Service Information - Nitro