Ford Kuga

 Service Manual

Wipers and Washers » Wipers and Washers (System Operation and Component Description)
Component Description

Switch, wash/wipe system

The window wash/wipe switch is a simple electrical switch which is inserted into the steering wheel module.

• Switch, wash/wipe system

One-touch function downwards for single front wipe

3 fixed positions upwards for front intermittent wipe/automatic wipe, normal wipe, fast wipe

Fixed position towards the steering wheel for rear intermittent wipe

One-touch function beyond the fixed position towards the steering wheel for the rear washer system

• Window wiper rotary switch

6 fixed switch positions for wiper interval delays/rain sensor sensitivity. The switch positions start from 1 (wide symbol) at the upper end point and end with 6 (narrow symbol) at the lower end point

• Windshield washer switch

One-touch function for front washer system

Rain Sensor

The sensor contains a number of transmitter and receiver diodes which emit and receive infrared light. By comparing the received signal with the known transmitted signal, the rain sensor can determine the moisture on the outside of the windshield and request that the windshield wipers are switched on.

The LED emits a beam of light with a known intensity. The emitted beam emerges through the lens and is then reflected by the windshield.

The reflected light beam enters back through the lens and then reaches the photodiode. The corresponding value taken without moisture on the windshield is used as the reference value for automatic calibration.

Subsequent deviations from this value cause the windshield wipers to be switched on.

If precipitation falls on the windshield, part of the light beam is deflected. This reduces the intensity of the light reflected by the windshield. This loss of intensity is detected by the photodiode and is reported by a LIN signal to the GEM.

When the automatic wipe function is switched on (wiper lever to intermittent wipe position), the wipers are only activated automatically if the rain sensor registers water on the windshield.

The sensitivity of the rain sensor can be changed by adjusting the window wiper rotary switch.

• Rotary switch at upper end point: High sensitivity

The wipers wipe even if only a small amount of water has been measured on the windshield.

• Rotary switch at lower end point: Low sensitivity

The wipers only wipe if a large amount of water has been measured on the windshield.

The rain sensor is self-calibrating.

The rain sensor supplies LIN signals with values of between 0 and 7 to the GEM.

Meaning of signals from rain sensor:

• Signal "0": Windshield is dry
• Signal "1-5": Windshield is damp. The GEM activates normal wiping.
• Signal "6-7": Windshield is receiving severe precipitation. The GEM activates high speed wiping for as long as the signal value is greater than 4.

Sensor, window washer system fluid level

The window washer system fluid level sensor is connected directly to the instrument cluster. The instrument cluster sends the signal via CAN (controller area network) to the GEM.

The window washer system fluid level sensor consists of the sensor housing and an articulated float. The float contains a permanent magnet. If the float moves down, the circuit in the sensor housing is closed to ground.

Aflat on the switch housing helps to correctly locate the switch.

Front wiper motor

The front windshield wiper motor is a DC motor with 3 brush type contacts. One brush type contact is for ground and one is for normal wiping speed.

The third brush type contact is activated for high wiping speed.

The integrated home switch is connected directly to the GEM. The home switch contacts are open in all wiper motor positions except the home position. When the home switch contacts are open, the wiper motor remains switched on even if a LINsignal from the steering wheel module requests that the wipers stop. In home position, the home switch contacts create a ground connection. The GEM recognizes this ground connection and switches the wiper motor off.

Rear wiper motor

The rear windshield wiper motor is a DC motor with 2 brush type contacts. It is controlled by a voltage supply.

The integrated home switch is connected directly to the GEM. The home switch contacts are closed in all wiper motor positions except the home position. When the home switch contacts are closed, the wiper motor is supplied with voltage by the GEM. When the wiper motor reaches the home position, the home switch contacts are opened and the voltage supply is interrupted by the GEM. While the window wash/wipe switch remains in the "rear washer" position, the wiper motor is again supplied with a voltage by the GEM and continues to run.

This process is repeated at each revolution of the motor.

Heated window washer nozzles, front

The GEM activates the heated window washer nozzles as soon as the ignition is switched on.

Headlamp washer jets

The washer jets are operated hydraulically. The headlamp washer pump creates a positive pressure when operated. This positive pressure enables the headlamp washer jets to extend and spray.

System Diagram

System Operation

Component Description