3309376 - E3020 WINDSCREEN WASH/WIPE - Description

Description

The windscreen wash/wipe system is operated by a stalk switch on the right side of the steering wheel; the lever can be set to five positions that correspond to different functions:

• windscreen wiper off (standstill),
• intermittent operation,
• continuous slow operation,
• continuous medium-fast operation,
• temporary fast operation (unstable stalk position).

When the stalk switch is set to intermittent operation position, four different speeds can be selected by turning the relevant ring:

• slow intermittent,
• medium intermittent,
• medium-fast intermittent,
• fast intermittent.

If the car is equipped with a rain sensor, windscreen wiper operation is automatic and sweep frequency and speed alter according to the amount of water on the windscreen.

The rain sensor is activated by turning the stalk switch to 'intermittent operation' position and turning the ring to choose one of four levels of sensitivity:

• minimum sensitivity,
• medium sensitivity,
• high sensitivity,
• maximum sensitivity.

By adjusting the sensitivity, automatic windscreen wiper operation can be adjusted to specific visibility conditions, such as fog with condensation on the windscreen, spray thrown up by other vehicles, drizzle etc. When the key is turned to the OFF position, the rain sensor is deactivated and does not reactivate the next time the engine is started up. To reactivate the sensor, the stalk must be moved to another position and then back to the intermittent setting, or the sensitivity selection ring must be moved to another position. The rain sensor is secured to the windscreen within the swept area of glass. It is controlled by an electronic control unit that also controls the windscreen wiper motor.Each time the car is started, the rain sensor automatically stabilises (within about 2 minutes) at a temperature of 40° C in order to remove condensation from the detection surface and prevent ice formation.

The rain sensor is able to identify and adapt automatically to the presence of specific conditions that require different intervention sensitivities as follows:

• impurities on the detection surface (salt deposits, dirt, etc.)
• water smears caused by worn windscreen wiper blades,
• differences between day and night (the human eye finds it less easy to deal with a wet windscreen surface by night than by day).

The windscreen washer function is operated by pulling the lever gently towards the steering wheel: the windscreen washer pump is activated in this way; if the lever is kept in this position, the windscreen wipers will come on constantly. when the lever is released, the windscreen wipers will continue to operate for several strokes.The entire system is governed by an electronic device which is responsible for controlling the intermittent function and also the windscreen wiper motor and washer pump.The windscreen wash/wipe circuit and rain sensor circuit are protected by special fuses and controlled by an ignition-operated cut-out relay located in the junction unit.The windscreen wiper and washer can be operated with the ignition key turned to ON.