Jeep Cherokee (XJ): Diagnosis and testing

Wiper system

FRONT

For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to 8W-53 - Wipers in Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Check the circuit breaker in the junction block.

If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, replace the faulty circuit breaker.

(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Unplug the windshield wiper switch wire harness connector. Connect the battery negative cable.

Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run/acc) circuit cavity of the wiper switch wire harness connector. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open circuit to the junction block as required.

(3) If the problem being diagnosed involves only the pulse wipe, wipe-after-wash, or intermittent wipe modes, go to Step 4. If not, go to Step 5.

(4) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the wiper switch wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, replace the faulty switch. If not OK, repair the open circuit to ground as required.

(5) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Remove the windshield wiper and washer switch and check the switch continuity. See Wiper Switch and Washer Switch in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group for the procedures. If OK, go to Step 6.

If not OK, replace the faulty switch.

(6) Unplug the windshield wiper motor wire harness connector. Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity in the body half of the wiper motor wire harness connector and a good ground.

There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 7. If not OK, repair the open circuit to ground as required.

(7) Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run/acc) circuit cavity in the body half of the wiper motor wire harness connector. If OK, go to Step 8. If not OK, repair the open circuit to the junction block as required.

(8) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

With the windshield wiper and washer switch wire harness connector still unplugged, check the cavities for each of the following circuits in the body half of the wiper motor wire harness connector for continuity to ground. In each case, there should be no continuity.

If OK, go to Step 9. If not OK, repair the short circuit as required.

  •  Wiper park switch sense
  •  Wiper switch low speed output
  •  Wiper switch high speed output.

(9) Check for continuity between the cavities in the body half of the wiper motor wire harness connector and the cavities in the windshield wiper and washer switch wire harness connector for each of the following circuits. In each case, there should be continuity.

If OK, replace the faulty wiper motor. If not OK, repair the open circuit as required.

  •  Wiper park switch sense
  •  Wiper switch low speed output
  •  Wiper switch high speed output.

REAR

For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to 8W-53 - Wipers in Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Check the fuse in the junction block. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component as required and replace the faulty fuse.

(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Remove the accessory switch bezel and unplug the wire harness connector from the rear wiper and washer switch. Connect the battery negative cable.

Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch output circuit cavity of the rear wiper and washer switch wire harness connector. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open circuit to the junction block as required.

(3) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the rear wiper and washer switch wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be continuity.

If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open circuit to ground as required.

(4) Test the rear wiper and washer switch continuity.

See Wiper Switch and Washer Switch in the Diagnosis and Testing section of this group for the procedures. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK, replace the faulty switch.

(5) Remove the liftgate trim panel and unplug the rear wiper motor wire harness connector. Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run) circuit cavity of the rear wiper motor wire harness connector. If OK, go to Step 6. If not OK, repair the open circuit to the junction block as required.

(6) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the rear wiper motor wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 7. If not OK, repair the open circuit to ground as required.

(7) Check for continuity between the rear wiper motor control circuit cavity of the rear wiper motor wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 8. If not OK, repair the short circuit as required.

(8) Check for continuity between the rear wiper motor control circuit cavities of the rear wiper motor wire harness connector and the rear wiper and washer switch wire harness connector. There should be continuity. If OK, replace the faulty rear wiper motor. If not OK, repair the open circuit as required.

Washer system

FRONT

The diagnosis found here addresses an inoperative front washer pump. If the washer pump operates, but no washer fluid is emitted from the washer nozzles, be certain to check the fluid level in the reservoir.

Check for ice or other foreign material in the reservoir, and for pinched, disconnected, broken, or incorrectly routed washer system plumbing. For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to 8W-53 - Wipers in Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.

Turn the wiper switch to the Low or High speed position.

Check whether the wipers operate. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, see the Wiper System diagnosis in this group.

(2) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Unplug the front washer pump wire harness connector.

Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the front washer pump wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open circuit to ground as required.

(3) Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery voltage at the front washer switch output circuit cavity of the front washer pump wire harness connector while actuating the washer switch. If OK, replace the faulty washer pump. If not OK, go to Step 4.

(4) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Unplug the windshield wiper/washer switch wire harness connector. Check for continuity between the front washer switch output circuit cavity of the front washer pump wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 5 If not OK, repair the short circuit as required.

(5) Check for continuity between the front washer switch output circuit cavities of the front washer pump wire harness connector and the wiper/washer switch wire harness connector. There should be continuity.

If OK, replace the faulty switch. If not OK, repair the open circuit as required.

REAR

The diagnosis found here addresses an inoperative rear washer pump. If the washer pump operates, but no washer fluid is emitted from the washer nozzle, be certain to check the fluid level in the reservoir. Check for ice or other foreign material in the reservoir, and for pinched, disconnected, broken, or incorrectly routed washer system plumbing. For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to 8W-53 - Wipers in Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.

Place the rear wiper/washer switch in the Wipe position.

Check whether the rear wiper is operating. If OK, go to Step 2. If not OK, see the Wiper System diagnosis in this group.

(2) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Unplug the rear washer pump wire harness connector.

Check for continuity between the ground circuit cavity of the rear washer pump wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open circuit to ground as required.

(3) Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery voltage at the rear washer motor control circuit cavity of the rear washer pump wire harness connector while the rear washer switch is actuated. If OK, replace the faulty pump. If not OK, go to Step 4.

(4) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

Unplug the rear wiper/washer switch wire harness connector. Check for continuity between the rear washer motor control circuit cavity of the rear washer pump wire harness connector and a good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK, repair the short circuit as required.

(5) Check for continuity between the rear washer motor control circuit cavities of the rear washer pump wire harness connector and the rear wiper/ washer switch wire harness connector. There should be continuity. If OK, replace the faulty switch. If not OK, repair the open circuit as required.

Wiper switch and washer switch

FRONT

Perform the diagnosis for the front wiper system and/or washer system as described in this group before testing the front wiper and washer switch. For circuit descriptions and diagrams, see 8W-53 - Wipers in Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

(2) Remove the front wiper and washer switch from the steering column and unplug the wire harness connector from the switch.

(3) Using an ohmmeter, perform the switch continuity checks at the switch terminals as shown in the Windshield Wiper Switch and Washer Switch Continuity chart (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Windshield Wiper Switch and Washer Switch Continuity
Fig. 2 Windshield Wiper Switch and Washer Switch Continuity

(4) If the switch fails any of the continuity checks, replace the faulty switch. If the switch is OK, repair the wiper system and/or washer system wire harness circuits as required.

REAR

Perform the diagnosis for the rear wiper system and/or washer system as described in this group before testing the rear wiper and washer switch. For circuit descriptions and diagrams, see 8W-53 - Wipers in Group 8W - Wiring Diagrams.

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, REFER TO GROUP 8M - PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

(1) Remove the accessory switch bezel from the instrument panel and unplug the rear wiper and washer switch wire harness connector.

(2) Using an ohmmeter, check the rear wiper and washer switch continuity at the switch terminals as shown in the Rear Wiper Switch and Washer Switch Continuity chart (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3 Rear Wiper Switch and Washer Switch Continuity
Fig. 3 Rear Wiper Switch and Washer Switch Continuity

(3) If the switch fails any of the continuity checks, replace the faulty switch. If the switch is OK, repair the rear wiper system and/or washer system wire harness circuits as required.

    Previous pageDescription and operation

    Wiper arm and blade All Cherokee models have two 45.72-centimeter (18-inch) windshield wiper blades with non-replaceable rubber elements (squeegees). The optional rear wiper uses a single 33.0-cent ...

    Other materials:

    Important Safety Precautions. Seat Belt Systems
    Important Safety Precautions Please pay close attention to the information in this section. It tells you how to use your restraint system properly, to keep you and your passengers as safe as possible. Here are some simple steps you can take to minimize the risk of harm from a deploying air ba ...