Contents Wiring diagrams Section: Wiper/washer Systems All sections

Wiper System & Washer System: Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Intermittent

Faulty electrical connections or wiring may be the cause of intermittent conditions. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections .

Washers Always On

StepActionYesNo
Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer System Schematics Connector End View Reference: Wiper/Washer System Connector End Views DEFINITION: The windshield washer pump is always on.
1Did you review the Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation and perform the necessary inspections?Go to Step 2Go to Symptoms - Wiper/Washer Systems
2Turn the windshield wiper/washer switch to the OFF position. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Is the windshield washer pump always ON?Go to Step 3Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
3Are the windshield wipers always ON, also?Go to Step 4Go to Step 6
4Turn the ignition OFF. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor module connector. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Connect a test lamp from the windshield wiper switch signal circuit terminal to ground. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 5Go to Step 12
5Test the windshield wiper switch signal circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 16Go to Step 10
6Turn the ignition OFF. Disconnect the windshield washer relay. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Is the windshield washer pump ON?Go to Step 8Go to Step 7
7Connect a test lamp from battery positive voltage to the windshield washer relay control circuit terminal in the underhood fuse block. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 9Go to Step 14
8Repair the windshield washer pump control circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to Wiring Repairs . Is the repair complete?Go to Step 16
9Test the windshield washer relay control circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 16Go to Step 12
10Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 16Go to Step 11
11Replace the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Multifunction, Turn Signal Switch Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 16
12Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper motor module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 16Go to Step 13
13Replace the windshield wiper motor module. Refer to Wiper Motor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 16
14Inspect for poor connections at the windshield washer relay. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 16Go to Step 15
15Replace the windshield washer relay. Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 16
16Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition?System OKGo to Step 3

Washers Always On

Washers Inoperative

StepActionValuesYesNo
Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer System Schematics Connector End View Reference: Wiper/Washer System Connector End Views DEFINITION: The windshield washer pump is inoperative.
1Did you review the Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation and perform the necessary inspections?Go to Step 2Go to Symptoms - Wiper/Washer Systems
2Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Press the windshield washer switch. Do the windshield washers operate normally?Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor ConnectionsGo to Step 3
3Do the windshield washer wipers operate when the windshield washer switch is pressed?Go to Step 6Go to Step 4
4Turn the ignition OFF. Disconnect the windshield wiper motor connector. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Test the resistance from the windshield wiper switch supply voltage circuit terminal to the windshield wiper switch signal circuit terminal in the windshield wiper motor harness connector. Press the windshield washer switch. Is the resistance near the specified value?0.5 ohmsGo to Step 15Go to Step 5
5Test the following circuits for open or high resistance. Windshield wiper switch supply voltage circuit Windshield wiper switch signal circuit Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 20Go to Step 13
6Turn the ignition OFF. Disconnect the windshield washer relay. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Connect a test lamp test from each of the windshield washer relay battery positive voltage supply circuit terminals in the underhood fuse block to ground. Does the test lamp illuminate on both terminals?Go to Step 7Go to Step 9
7Connect a test lamp from battery positive voltage to the windshield washer relay control circuit terminal in the underhood fuse block. Press the windshield washer switch. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 8Go to Step 10
8Turn the ignition OFF. Connect the windshield washer relay. Disconnect the windshield washer pump connector. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Connect a test lamp across the windshield washer pump harness connector terminals. Press the windshield washer switch. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 18Go to Step 11
9Replace the underhood fuse block. Refer to Underhood Electrical Center or Junction Block Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 20
10Test the windshield washer relay control circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 20Go to Step 15
11Test the windshield washer pump control circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 20Go to Step 12
12Test the windshield washer pump ground circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 20Go to Step 17
13Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 20Go to Step 14
14Replace the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Multifunction, Turn Signal Switch Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 20
15Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper motor module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 20Go to Step 16
16Replace the windshield wiper motor module. Refer to Wiper Motor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 20
17Replace the windshield washer relay. Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 20
18Inspect for poor connections at the windshield washer pump. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 20Go to Step 19
19Replace the windshield washer pump. Refer to Washer Pump Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 20
20Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition?System OKGo to Step 3

Washers Inoperative

Wipers Always On

StepActionYesNo
Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer System Schematics Connector End View Reference: Wiper/Washer System Connector End Views Lighting Systems Connector End Views DEFINITION: Windshield wipers are always ON at low or high speed.
1Did you review the Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation and perform the necessary inspections?Go to Step 2Go to Symptoms - Wiper/Washer Systems
2Turn the windshield wiper/washer switch OFF. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Are the windshield wipers always on?Go to Step 3Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
3Turn the ignition OFF. Disconnect the turn signal multifunction switch connector C3. Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Are the windshield wipers always on?Go to Step 4Go to Step 7
4Are the windshield wipers always ON at high speed?Go to Step 5Go to Step 6
5Test the windshield wiper switch high signal circuit for a short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 11Go to Step 9
6Test the windshield wiper switch signal circuit for a short to voltage. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 11Go to Step 9
7Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 11Go to Step 8
8Replace the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Multifunction, Turn Signal Switch Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 11
9Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper motor module. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 11Go to Step 10
10Replace the windshield wiper motor module. Refer to Wiper Motor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 11
11Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition?System OKGo to Step 3

Wipers Always On

Wipers Inoperative - All Modes

StepActionYesNo
Schematic Reference: Wiper/Washer System Schematics Connector End View Reference: Wiper/Washer System Connector End Views DEFINITION: Wipers are inoperative in all modes.
1Did you perform the Wiper/Washer System Description and Operation and perform the necessary inspections?Go to Step 2Go to Symptoms - Wiper/Washer Systems
2Turn the ignition ON, with the engine OFF. Attempt to operate the windshield wipers in all modes. Does the system operate normally?Go to Step 3Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections
3Do the windshield wipers operate in any mode?Go to Wipers Inoperative - One or More ModesGo to Step 4
4Disconnect the multifunction turn signal harness connector C3. Connect a fused jumper wire from the windshield wiper switch high signal circuit terminal in the multifunction turn signal harness connector to a good ground. Turn the ignition ON. Do the windshield wipers operate at high speed?Go to Step 9Go to Step 5
5Disconnect the windshield wiper motor module connector. Connect a test lamp from the accessory voltage supply circuit terminal in the windshield wiper motor harness connector to a good ground. Turn the ignition ON. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 6Go to Step 7
6Connect a test lamp from battery positive voltage to the windshield wiper motor ground circuit terminal in the windshield wiper motor harness connector. Does the test lamp illuminate?Go to Step 11Go to Step 8
7Repair the accessory voltage supply circuit to the windshield wiper motor for an open or short to ground. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Is the repair complete?Go to Step 13
8Repair the windshield wiper motor ground circuit for an open or high resistance. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs . Is the repair complete?Go to Step 13
9Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 13Go to Step 10
10Replace the windshield wiper/washer switch. Refer to Multifunction, Turn Signal Switch Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 13
11Inspect for poor connections at the windshield wiper motor. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs . Did you find and correct the condition?Go to Step 13Go to Step 12
12Replace the windshield wiper motor. Refer to Wiper Motor Replacement . Did you complete the replacement?Go to Step 13
13Operate the system in order to verify the repair. Did you correct the condition?System OKGo to Step 4

Wipers Inoperative - All Modes

Wiper Chatter Repair

Some vehicles may exhibit a condition where the windshield wiper blades chatter or wipe unevenly. Several different conditions can cause the wiper blade chatter. To completely repair wiper blade chatter, all of the following should be checked and repaired as necessary

  1. The windshield glass must be clean.
  2. The wiper blade element must be clean.
  3. The wiper arm tip pressure must be within specifications.
  4. The wiper blade element set must be within specifications.

Windshield Glass Cleaning

Clean the windshield glass with windshield cleaner. The cleaner used should be one that will not harm the paint finish or scratch the glass. The windshield glass is clean when water no longer beads, but sheets across the entire glass surface.

Blade Element Cleaning

  1. Lift the wiper blade assemblies off of the windshield glass.
  2. Clean the wiper blade element with a clean cloth saturated with full strength washer solution.
  3. Rinse the wiper blade assemblies with water.
  4. Place the wiper blade assemblies back onto the windshield glass.

Windshield Wiper/Washer System Components

The windshield wiper/washer system consists of the following components

  1. Windshield wiper/washer switch
  2. Windshield wiper motor module
  3. Windshield washer pump
  4. Windshield washer relay
  5. W/S WIPER 25A fuse
  6. W/S WASH 15A fuse