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.