Wiper/washer operation

[Jerry]

It is wintertime now, and with snow and salty roads here in Ohio (not often
yet), there is a problem with my 2002 SL windshield wiper/washer operation.

The wiper/washer operates in such sequence that when I pull the wiper/washer
level to wash the windshield, FIRST wipers make a sweep, and ONLY THEN it starts
spraying, making additional 3 wipes and then stop (assuming wipers are "OFF").
So it kind of bothers me that the FIRST wipe is always done on a dry dirty
windshield, which is not recommended.

Is it a malfunction of my wiper/washer or not? The Saturn was doing that right
from the beginning. My other car (Toyota, which also automatically wipes when
a washer is activated) always first sprays and only then wipes.

Thank you.

 

[Steve]

It is wintertime now, and with snow and salty roads here in Ohio (not often
yet), there is a problem with my 2002 SL windshield wiper/washer operation.

The wiper/washer operates in such sequence that when I pull the wiper/washer
level to wash the windshield, FIRST wipers make a sweep, and ONLY THEN it starts
spraying, making additional 3 wipes and then stop (assuming wipers are "OFF").
So it kind of bothers me that the FIRST wipe is always done on a dry dirty
windshield, which is not recommended.

Is it a malfunction of my wiper/washer or not? The Saturn was doing that right
from the beginning. My other car (Toyota, which also automatically wipes when
a washer is activated) always first sprays and only then wipes.

Thank you.

Hi, Jerry,
Well, I have owned a 70s Ford Maverick, an 81 Chevy Malibu, an 80s
Nissan Sentra, a 91 Mazda 626, a 93 Honda Accord, a 94 Saturn SL, and a 99
Saturn SL; I've driven a number of rental vehicles too numerous to mention,
and I can't remember ever seeing a car behave like your Toyota. They always
seem to make the first sweep before firing a spray.
Regards,
Steve

 

[Jonnie Santos]

My 2 cents.

....if I remember correctly, the spray motor/pump is on as long as you hold
the stalk inward and when you release there's a few wiper strokes before the
cycle stops. The only delay I think that is happening at first is because
the spray motor/pump is getting the fluid down the line.

Of course I never use the wipers to clean a dirty, dry windshield. Besides
possibly scratching the windshield, it makes a hell of mess and really
pisses off the driver behind you.

 

[Jerry]

I sent two emails to Saturn cust. service about that, here are their answers:

First:

Thank you for writing to Saturn.

The windshield wiper sequence for your Saturn is to spray the washer fluid

If your washer hoses have fluid remaining, then the fluid will
spray on the windshield first, then the wipers will engage. There will be a
slight delay of about one second. If there is no fluid in the washer hose,
then there will be a slight delay of the system spraying fluid on your
windshield; in this case, it is possible the wipers may be engaged first.

While my car is still under warranty, I have scheduled an appontment at the
local Saturn to let them make it work as it should... Will see.