Dodge Caliber. Manual - part 541

RIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH

DESCRIPTION

The right (wiper) multi-function switch is located on the
right side of the steering column, just below the steer-
ing 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.

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 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:

WIPERS/WASHERS - SERVICE INFORMATION

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•

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

•

Intermittent Front Wipers - The right multi-function switch control knob provides detent switching for the inter-
mittent 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

The right (wiper) multi-function switch uses a combination of resistor multiplexing and conventional switching to con-
trol the many functions and features it provides. The switch receives a clean ground from the Steering Control Mod-
ule (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 ElectroMechanical 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 Net-
work (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 failsafe mode of operation for the front and rear wiper systems. The failsafe 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.

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 reli-
able, 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 con-
tinue 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 mes-
sage 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

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WIPERS/WASHERS - SERVICE INFORMATION

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 mes-
sage over the CAN data bus to other electronic modules in the vehicle.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

RIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH

WARNING: To avoid personal injury or death, on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the supplemental
restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, occupant classification sys-
tem, 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.

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 appro-
priate diagnostic information.

1. Remove the right multi-function switch from the

integral mounting bracket on the right side of the
clockspring. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/
WASHERS/RIGHT MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH -
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).

CONTROL STALK FUNCTION TESTS

FUNCTION

PINS

RESISTANCE

Front Wash

10000 Ohms

Front Mist

5490 Ohms

CONTROL KNOB FUNCTION TESTS

FUNCTION

BETWEEN PIN 7 (GROUND) AND PINS

Off

CLOSED

OPEN

Front Delay 1

CLOSED

Front Delay 2

CLOSED

OPEN

CLOSED

Front Delay 3

OPEN

CLOSED

WIPERS/WASHERS - SERVICE INFORMATION

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FUNCTION

BETWEEN PIN 7 (GROUND) AND PINS

Front Delay 4

OPEN

CLOSED

Front Delay 5

OPEN

CLOSED

OPEN

Front Wiper Low

OPEN

Front Wiper High

CLOSED

OPEN

CONTROL SLEEVE FUNCTION TESTS

FUNCTION

BETWEEN PIN 7 (GROUND) AND PINS

Off

CLOSED

OPEN

Rear Wipe

CLOSED

Rear Wash

OPEN

CLOSED

3. If the switch fails any of the tests, replace the ineffective right multi-function switch as required. If the switch tests

okay, but the switch input to the Steering Control Module (SCM) remains incorrect, be certain to check for a short
or open in the jumper harness between the right multi-function switch and the SCM.

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

2. Remove both the upper and lower shrouds from

the steering column. (Refer to 19 - STEERING/
COLUMN/SHROUD - REMOVAL).

3. Remove the screw (2) that secures the right multi-

function switch (1) to the mounting bracket integral
to the right side of the clockspring (3) on the steer-
ing column.

4. Slide the switch away from the clockspring far

enough to disengage the slide tab on the bottom of
the switch housing from the channel formation in
the mounting bracket.

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WIPERS/WASHERS - SERVICE INFORMATION

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