Windshield Wipers

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Lincoln MKS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The wiper relay, energized when the ignition is ON, provides voltage to the windshield wiper motor.

The SCCM monitors the wiper/washer switch inputs and sends the wiper/washer switch data to the windshield wiper motor through a dedicated LIN. Based on the input, the wiper motor activates the appropriate wash, low, high and intermittent or rain sense modes. The logic of the wiper operation is contained within the windshield wiper motor.

When the wiper/washer switch is in the HIGH position, the windshield wiper motor also receives a ground signal which is hardwired directly from the SCCM (bypassing the logic within the module). This fail-safe circuit makes sure that the windshield wipers function in HIGH speed mode in the event of a LIN communication failure.

Mist Wipe/Windshield Washer

When the washer switch (on the end of the stalk) is momentarily pressed and released, a single wipe of the windshield wipers occurs. When pressed and held in, the windshield wiper motor activates the wipers and the wash relay (internal to the windshield wiper motor), providing voltage to the washer pump and directing washer fluid to the windshield. When the switch is released, the windshield wiper motor continues to activate the windshield wipers for 3 additional wipes and then turns the windshield wipers off.

Courtesy Wipe

The courtesy wiper feature is enabled/disabled through the message center. When enabled, a few seconds after the windshield wash cycle has completed, an additional wipe of the windshield occurs to clear any remaining fluid that remains on the windshield.

Intermittent Wipers

When the wiper switch is in the intermittent setting, the wiper motor activates at timed intervals. The lower the setting, the longer the interval between wipes.

The rain sensitive wiper feature must be disabled for the standard intermittent wiper function to operate.

Speed Dependent Wipers

When the wiper/washer switch is in any intermittent setting except the lowest setting, the speed-dependent feature increases the frequency of wiping as the vehicle speed increases to compensate for the extra moisture that accumulates on the windshield.

The SCCM receives the vehicle speed from the PCM. The SCCM then sends the vehicle speed data to the windshield wiper motor through the LIN.

Rain Sensitive Wipers (if equipped)

When equipped, the rain sensitive wiper feature replaces the intermittent wiper feature. There are no interval (intermittent) wipe functions available when the rain sensitive feature is active. The wiper system only wipes when the rain sensing feature detects moisture on the windshield. The rain sensitive feature is active when the wiper/washer switch is in any of the 5 auto/intermittent sensitivity settings. The setting closest to OFF is the least sensitive to moisture, the highest setting being the most sensitive to moisture.

The rain sensitive wiper feature can be enabled/disabled through the message center.

The rain sensor sends data through the LIN to the windshield wiper motor. When the rain sensitive wiper feature is enabled, based on the data received from the rain sensor and the auto/intermittent setting on the wiper/washer switch, the system automatically activates and adjusts the wiper speed and frequency when moisture is detected on the windshield.

When the rain sensitive wipers are disabled from the message center, or the windshield wiper motor detects a fault with the rain sensor input, the windshield wiper motor changes to a default intermittent mode. The timing of the wipers correspond to a standard intermittent setting based on the auto/intermittent sensitivity setting on the wiper/washer switch.

Wiper Activated Exterior Lamps

The BCM turns the exterior lamps on within 10 seconds of the windshield wipers being activated by the wiper/washer switch when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. Approximately 30 seconds after the windshield wipers turn off, the BCM turns the exterior lamps off.

The BCM turns the exterior lamps on within 30 seconds of the rain sensitive wipers being activated by moisture detected on the windshield when the headlamp switch is in the AUTO position. Approximately 60 seconds after the rain sensitive wipers are deactivated (moisture no longer detected on the windshield), the BCM turns the exterior lamps off.

The SCCM sends a message to the BCM over the HS-CAN indicating the windshield wiper motor status.