Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 969

Fig. 7: Right (Wiper) Multi-Function Switch 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The right (wiper) multi-function switch is located on the right side of the steering column, just below the 
steering wheel. This switch is the primary control for the front and rear wiper and washer systems. The only 
visible components of the switch are the control stalk (1), control knob (2) and control sleeve (3) that extend 
through the steering column shrouds on the right side of the column. The remainder of the switch including its 
mounting provisions and electrical connection are concealed beneath the shrouds. 

Fig. 8: Steering Control Module Components 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The switch housing and controls (6) are constructed of molded black plastic. Each of the switch controls has 
white International Control and Display Symbol graphics applied to it, which clearly identify its many 
functions. A single screw (7) through a mounting tab integral to the back of the switch housing, and a slide tab 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

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

  

integral to the bottom of the switch housing secure the switch to the mounting bracket integral to the 
clockspring (3). A single connector receptacle containing seven terminal pins is integral to the inboard end of 
the switch housing and is connected by a jumper wire harness (5) directly to the Steering Control Module 
(SCM), which is internal to the housing (2) of the left multi-function switch (1). 

The right (wiper) multi-function switch provides the vehicle operator with a control interface for the following 
wiper and washer system functions: 



Continuous Front Wipers - The right multi-function switch control knob provides detent switching for 
two continuous front wipe modes, low speed or high speed.  



Intermittent Front Wipers - The right multi-function switch control knob provides detent switching for 
the intermittent front wipe mode with five minor detent delay interval positions.  



Front Wiper Mist Mode - The right multi-function switch control stalk includes momentary switching 
of the front wiper motor low speed circuit to provide a mist mode features (sometimes referred to as pulse 
wipe), which allows the vehicle operator to momentarily operate the front wipers for one or more 
complete cycles.  



Front Washer Mode - The right multi-function switch control stalk provides momentary switching for 
control of the front washer system operation.  



Intermittent Rear Wipe Mode - The right multi-function switch control sleeve provides detent 
switching for a single fixed interval intermittent rear wiper mode.  



Rear Washer Mode - The right multi-function switch control sleeve provides two momentary switch 
positions for control of rear washer system operation.  

The right multi-function switch cannot be adjusted or repaired. If any function of the switch is ineffective, or if 
the switch is damaged, the entire switch unit must be replaced. The clockspring (with the multi-function switch 
mounting bracket), the left multi-function switch (with the SCM), the right multi-function switch and the 
jumper wire harness are each available for separate service replacement. 

OPERATION 

RIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH 

The right (wiper) multi-function switch uses a combination of resistor multiplexing and conventional analog 
switching to control the many functions and features it provides. The switch receives a clean ground from the 
Steering Control Module (SCM), then provides resistor multiplexed and conventional analog return outputs to 
the SCM to indicate the selected switch positions. The SCM then sends electronic switch status messages over 
a Local Interface Network (LIN) data bus to the Electro Mechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC) (also known as 
the Cab Compartment Node/CCN), and the EMIC relays electronic wiper and washer switch request messages 
over the Controller Area Network (CAN) data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle. 

If the SCM detects no inputs from the right multi-function switch, it transmits an electronic Signal Not 
Available (SNA) status message over the LIN data bus. The SNA status signals the EMIC to request other 
electronic modules to implement a fail-safe mode of operation for the front and rear wiper systems. The fail-
safe mode will maintain the last selected front and rear wiper system operation for the remainder of the current 
ignition cycle, after which both wiper systems will default to OFF.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

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

  

The right multi-function switch as well as the hard wired inputs and outputs of the switch may be diagnosed 
using conventional diagnostic tools and procedures. Refer to the appropriate wiring information. However, the 
most reliable, efficient and accurate means to diagnose this component requires the use of a diagnostic scan 
tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. 

Following are descriptions of how the right multi-function switch is operated to control the many front and rear 
wiper and washer system functions and features it provides: 



Front Wiper Control - The control knob on the end of the right multi-function switch control stalk is 
rotated to one of the two continuous wiper detents, to one of five intermittent wiper detents, or to the OFF 
position to select the front wiper mode. The SCM reads the input from the right multi-function switch and 
sends electronic wiper switch status messages over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an 
electronic wiper switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the 
vehicle.  



Front Wiper Mist Mode - The front wiper mist mode is requested when the right multi-function switch 
control stalk is depressed downward towards the floor to a momentary MIST position. The front wiper 
motor will continue to operate, one complete cycle at a time, for as long as the control stalk is held in this 
position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the right multi-function switch and sends an 
electronic wiper switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic 
wiper switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.  



Front Washer Control - The right multi-function switch control stalk is pulled rearward towards the 
steering wheel to a momentary WASH position to activate the washer pump/motor in the front washer 
mode. The washer pump/motor will continue to operate for as long as the control stalk is held in this 
position. The SCM reads the resistor multiplexed input from the right multi-function switch and sends an 
electronic washer switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic 
washer switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.  



Rear Wiper Control - The rear wiper mode is selected when the right multi-function switch control 
sleeve is rotated to the fixed interval intermittent rear wipe detent position, or the OFF detent position. 
The SCM reads the input from the right multi-function switch and sends an electronic wiper switch status 
message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic wiper switch request message 
over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.  



Rear Washer Control - The right multi-function switch control sleeve is rotated to one of two 
momentary WASH positions, either fully forward or fully rearward, to activate the washer pump/motor in 
the rear washer mode. The washer pump/motor will continue to operate in the rear washer mode until the 
control sleeve is released. The SCM reads the input from the right multi-function switch and sends an 
electronic washer switch status message over the LIN data bus to the EMIC, which relays an electronic 
washer switch request message over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.  

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING 

RIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH 

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 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

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

  

Fig. 9: Right Multi-Function Switch Connector 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

The right multi-function switch as well as the hard wired inputs and outputs of the switch 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 Steering Control 
Module (SCM) or the electronic controls or communication between other modules and devices that provide 
some features of the front and rear wiper and washer systems. The most reliable, efficient and accurate means to 
diagnose the SCM or the electronic controls and communication related to SCM operation requires the use of a 
diagnostic scan tool. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information. 

1. Remove the right multi-function switch from the integral mounting bracket on the right side of the 

clockspring. See REMOVAL.  

2. Using an ohmmeter, test the resistance between the terminals of the switch as shown in the three Function 

Tests tables. For all functions except those of the control stalk the values should be either less than 100 
ohms (switch CLOSED) or greater than 1 megohm (switch OPEN). 

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.

CONTROL STALK FUNCTION TESTS 

FUNCTION 

PINS 

RESISTANCE 

1 

7 

Front Wash

X

X

10000 Ohms

Front Mist

X

X

5490 Ohms

CONTROL KNOB FUNCTION TESTS 

FUNCTION 

BETWEEN PIN 7 (GROUND) AND PINS 

4 

5 

6 

Off

CLOSED

CLOSED

OPEN

Front Delay 
1

CLOSED

CLOSED

CLOSED

Front Delay  CLOSED

OPEN

CLOSED

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

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