Mazda RX-7 Wiper/Washer Systems: motors, switch tests, troubleshooting and more

Mazda RX7 1993-1995 FD3S



All models are equipped with a 2-speed wiper motor with an optional intermittent wiper feature. Some models are equipped with a rear wiper/washer.

ADJUSTMENTS

FRONT WIPER ARM

Ensure wiper motor is in park position. Position wiper arm and blade assembly so tip of blade is at specified distance above front window trim.

REAR WIPER ARM

Ensure wiper motor is in park position. Position wiper arm and blade assembly so tip of blade is at specified distance from edge of window.

COMPONENT TESTING

FRONT WIPER MOTOR CONTINUITY

Refer to Fig. 1 when conducting the following tests.

Ensure ignition is off. Disconnect wiper motor connector. With wiper motor in park position, ensure continuity exists between terminals "A", "B", "C" and "E". With wiper motor in any other position than park, continuity should exist between terminals "B" and "D", and "A", "C" and "E".

FRONT WIPER MOTOR LOW SPEED

Refer to Fig. 1 when conducting the following tests.

Ensure ignition is off. Disconnect wiper motor connector. Connect battery voltage to wiper motor terminal "C". Connect ground to wiper motor housing. Motor should run at low speed.

FRONT WIPER MOTOR HIGH SPEED

Refer to Fig. 1 when conducting the following tests.

Ensure ignition is off. Disconnect wiper motor connector. Connect battery voltage to wiper motor terminal "A". Connect ground to wiper motor housing. Motor should run at high speed.

Fig. 1: Identifying Front Wiper Motor Terminals

REAR WASHER MOTOR

To access rear washer reservoir and washer motor, remove luggage compartment rear trim panel. Disconnect washer motor harness connector. Using jumper wires, apply battery voltage to Black/Yellow wire terminal. Connect Orange wire terminal to ground. If washer motor does not operate, replace rear washer motor.

REAR WIPER MOTOR OPERATIONAL

Ensure ignition is off. Disconnect wiper motor electrical connector. Ensure continuity exists between wiper motor terminals "A" and "B". Apply battery voltage to wiper motor terminal "B". Connect ground to wiper motor terminal "A". Wiper motor should operate continuously at normal speed. See Fig. 2 .

Fig. 2: Identifying Rear Wiper Motor Terminals (Typical)

REAR WIPER/WASHER SWITCH

Remove steering column shrouds. Remove combination switch from steering column. Check for continuity at indicated terminals with rear wiper/washer switch in specified position. See Fig. 3. If continuity is not as specified, replace rear wiper switch.

REAR WIPER/WASHER SWITCH TEST

• Wiper
  • Off: No Continuity Between Terminals
  • On (Intermittent): Continuity Between Terminals "D" and "F"
• Washer ON
  • Top: Continuity Between Terminals "B" and "D"
  • Bottom: Continuity Between Terminals "B" and "D"

Fig. 3: Identifying Rear Wiper Switch Terminals

TROUBLESHOOTING

FRONT WIPERS

Front wiper/washer switch in an integral part of the combination switch. If any portion of the combination switch is faulty, switch must be replaced as an assembly. References to wiper/washer switch indicate the wiper/washer switch portion of the combination switch.

TEST DIRECTORY (FRONT WIPERS)

• Wiper System Inoperative: Test No. 1
• Wipers Operate When Switch Is Off: Test No. 2
• Intermittent Function Inoperative: Test No. 3
• Intermittent Adjustment Function Inoperative: Test No. 4
• Intermittent Operation Continues With Switch Off: Test No. 5
• One-Touch Function Inoperative: Test No. 6
• Autopark Function Inoperative: Test No. 7
• Washers Inoperative; Wipers Operate: Test No. 8
• Washers Operate; Wipers Inoperative: Test No. 9
• Washers Operate When Switch Is Off: Test No. 10

Test No. 1
1. Check WIPER fuse (20-amp) located in joint box, behind driver's kick panel. If fuse is blown, replace fuse (repair wiring if necessary). If fuse is okay, turn ignition on and go to next step.
2. Turn ignition on. Set wiper/washer switch at specified position. Measure voltage at indicated wire terminal of wiper motor harness connector. If battery voltage exists at both terminals, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, go to step 4).

WIPER/WASHER CIRCUIT TEST (FRONT WIPERS)

• Low Speed: Blue/White
• High Speed: Blue/Black

3. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position. Check for continuity between wiper motor harness connector Black wire terminal and ground. If continuity exists, check wiper motor. If fault is found, replace motor. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Black wire. Retest system.
4. Remove driver's side lower dash trim panel. Access combination switch harness connector. Turn ignition switch on. Measure voltage at Blue/Green wire terminal of combination switch harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, repair wiring harness as necessary.
5. Turn ignition on. Set wiper/washer switch at specified position. Measure voltage at indicated wire terminal of combination switch harness connector. If battery voltage exists at both terminals, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, check wiper/washer switch. If fault is found, replace switch. Retest system.
6. Turn ignition switch to LOCK position. Disconnect combination switch harness connector. Check Black wire for continuity between harness connector and ground. If continuity exists, check for open in wiring harness between combination switch and wiper motor. Repair harness as necessary. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Black wire between harness connector and ground.

Test No. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Check wiper/washer switch. If fault is found, replace switch.

Test No. 7
1. Turn ignition switch on. Measure voltage at Blue/Green wire terminal of wiper motor harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, repair open in Blue/Green wire.
2. Set wiper switch at low speed. Measure voltage at Blue/Yellow wire terminal of wiper motor harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. check wiper motor. If fault is found, replace motor. Retest system.
3. Remove driver's side lower dash trim panel. Access combination switch harness connector. Turn ignition switch on. Measure voltage at Blue/Yellow wire terminal of combination switch harness connector when the switch is turned on. If voltage alternates between battery voltage and zero volts, check combination switch. If fault is found, replace switch. Retest system. If any other voltage condition exists, repair wiring harness as necessary.

Test No. 8
1. Remove driver's side lower dash trim panel. Access combination switch harness connector. Turn ignition switch on. Turn wiper switch on. Measure voltage at Blue/Orange wire terminal of combination switch harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, check combination switch. If fault is found, replace switch. Retest system.
2. Measure voltage at Blue/Orange wire terminal of wiper motor harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, repair open in Blue/Orange wire between combination switch and washer motor. Retest system.
3. Turn ignition off. Disconnect washer motor harness connector. Check Black wire for continuity between washer motor harness connector and ground. If continuity exists, replace washer motor. Retest system. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Black wire as necessary. Retest system.

Test No. 9 and 10
Check combination switch. If fault is found, replace switch.

REAR WIPER

TEST DIRECTORY (REAR WIPER)

• Rear Wiper System Inoperative: Test No. 1
• Rear Wipers Operate When Switch Is Off: Test No. 2
• Autopark Function Inoperative: Test No. 3
• Rear Washer System Inoperative: Test No. 4

Test No. 1
1. Check REAR WIPER fuse (10-amp) located in joint box, behind driver's kick panel. If fuse is blown, replace fuse (repair wiring if necessary). If fuse is okay, go to next step.
2. Remove liftgate lower trim panel. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage at Blue/Green wire terminal of rear wiper motor harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, repair open in Blue/Green wire between joint box and rear wiper motor.
3. Measure voltage at Red wire terminal of rear wiper motor harness connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, check rear wiper motor. Replace rear wiper motor if faulty. Retest system.
4. Remove Central Processing Unit (CPU) from joint box (located behind driver' kick panel). Measure voltage at Black wire terminal of joint box 16-pin connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, repair open in Black wire between CPU and rear wiper motor.
5. Check for continuity between the Green wire terminal of the 16-pin CPU connector and ground. If continuity exists, go to next step. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Green wire. Retest system.
6. Remove driver's side lower dash trim panel. Access combination switch harness connector. Measure voltage at Yellow/Red wire terminal of combination switch connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery does not exist, repair open in Yellow/Red wire.
7. Disconnect combination switch harness connector. Check Black wire for continuity between combination switch connector and ground. If continuity exists, check rear wiper/washer switch. If fault is found, replace combination switch. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Black wire. Retest system.

Test No. 2 and 3
Check rear wiper/washer switch. If fault is found, replace combination switch.

Test No. 4
1. Check meter fuse (15-amp) located in joint box, behind driver's kick panel. If fuse is blown, replace fuse (repair wiring if necessary). If fuse is okay, go to next step.
2. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage at rear washer motor harness connector Black/Yellow wire terminal. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, repair open in Black/Yellow wire. Retest system.
3. Measure voltage at rear washer motor harness connector Orange wire terminal. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, check rear washer motor. Replace rear washer motor if faulty.
4. Remove driver's side lower dash trim panel. Access combination switch harness connector. Measure voltage at Orange wire terminal of combination switch connector. If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery does not exist, repair open in Orange wire.
5. Disconnect combination switch harness connector. Check Black wire for continuity between combination switch connector and ground. If continuity exists, check rear wiper/washer switch. If fault is found, replace combination switch. If continuity does not exist, repair open in Black wire. Retest system.

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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

On models with anti-theft radio system, obtain code number from customer and deactivate audio anti-theft function before disconnecting battery.

FRONT WIPER MOTOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

CAUTION: DO NOT remove wiper motor arm unless necessary. If wiper motor arm removal is necessary, mark wiper arm position on adapter plate or motor housing for reassembly.

1. Wiper motor is located on engine compartment firewall. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove wiper arms and cowl grille (if necessary). Remove wiper motor cover (if necessary). On Miata, remove fuse box.
2. On all models, disconnect wiper motor electrical connector. Remove wiper motor or wiper motor bracket attaching bolts. Move wiper motor and adapter plate out slightly. Separate wiper arm/link pivot joint and remove wiper motor. To install, reverse removal procedure.

REAR WIPER MOTOR REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove wiper arm and blade assembly. From underside of hatch, remove upper, side and lower hatch trim (if necessary). Carefully remove hatch screen. Disconnect wiper motor electrical connector. Remove wiper motor. To install, reverse removal procedure.

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COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS

FRONT WIPER

FRONT WIPER ADJUSTMENT SPECIFICATIONS

• Driver's Side: 1.1-1.3 (28-32) In. (mm)
• Passenger's Side: 0.9-1.1 (23-27) In. (mm)

REAR WIPER

Adjust arm height to vertical mark on top left corner of rear windshield.



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Mazda RX7 1993-1995 FD3S

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