
Windshield Wiping/Washing
Purpose of the System
The  windshield  wiping/washing  functions  are  controlled  by  the  GM  III  when  the  ignition  is
in  position  KL  R  or  KL15.  The  system  has  four  wiping  stages  and  four  interval  wiping
speeds. The wiper motor output control is through two relays (double relay >98 MY, except
E38) that are located in the Electonics box (E box).
The Windshield Wiping System can also be supplemented with the Rain Sensor system as
optional  equipment.  The  Rain  Sensor  detects  rain  drops  on  the  windshield  and  automati-
cally activates the wipers when the stalk switch is in the intermittent position.
System Components
Wiper Stalk Switch Input:The wiping stage inputs are coded signals through a two wire
link with a combination of high/low inputs. The wiping stages include:
Single  (S): Momentarily  holding  the  wiper
switch  down  in  the  single  position  provides  a
momentary  ground  signal  to  activate  a  single
sweep in slow speed.
Slow (I) and Fast (II): The stage I and stage II
wiping  speeds  are  road  speed  dependent.
Stage I switches to intermittent when the vehi-
cle is stopped and stage II switches to stage I
when stopped. 
Windshield Washing: The wash request provides a switched ground input to the GM by
pulling the stalk rearward. The GM activates the windshield washer pump directly.
Intermittent  (Int): The  intermittent  wiping  time  inputs  are  provided  by  a  potentiometer
mounted  in  the  wiper  stalk  switch  (1  through  4).  The  intermittent  wiping  intervals  are  also
dependent on the road speed. As road speed increases, the wiping interval is shortened.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
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Rear  Window  Wiper/Washer  System  (E39  Sport  Wagon  and  E53): The  system  is
included in the scope of ZKE however is not controlled directly by the GM. The control elec-
tronics are integrated into the rear wiper motor assembly. The control electronics contains
two hall sensors, one for monitoring park position and other for the end stop, or to signal
reverse  direction  of  the  wiper  motor.  The  control  electronics  are  connected  to  the  vehicle
electrical system via a single seven pin connector.
The  rear  wiper  system  is  operator  controlled
through the wiper stalk switch providing the fol-
lowing functions:
• Intermittent rear window wiping
• Programmed rear window wiping interval
• Operation of the rear window washer
Pressing the wiper stalk forward to the first detent activates the rear wiper in the intermit-
tent mode
. The timed interval is approximately 7-12 seconds. The full sweep and park posi-
tions  are  recognized  by  the  two  hall  sensors  on  the  motor  gear  assembly.  If  the  wiper  is
switched OFF, the wiper blade will return to the park position.
The programmed wiper interval procedure is as follows:
• Briefly switch the rear wiper ON/OFF
• Wait the desired interval time
• Switch the rear wiper ON again
• The OFF time will be the programmed interval - up to approx. 30 seconds
Rear window washing is activated by pressing the wiper stalk switch to the full forward
position.
The washer pump operates followed by two full wiping cycles. The wipers will then
switch to the intermittent wiping mode. Additionally, the system automatically controls the
following safety and convenience features:
• Wiper interrupt with the rear glass opened
• Wiping interrupt with a blocked wiper arm
• Continuous wiping when the vehicle is shifted into reverse 
When the transmission is shifted into reverse, the wiper will switch to continuous operation
until the vehicle is shifted out of reverse. This signal (high) is provided by the LCM III when
it activates the back up lights.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Rain Sensor (AIC - if equipped)
Purpose of the System
The  Windshield  Wiping  System  is  also  available  with  an  optionally  equipped  Rain  Sensor.
The Rain Sensor provides added driver convenience and enhances safety by automatical-
ly  activating  the  intermittent  function  of  the  windshield  wipers  when  water  droplets  are
detected on the windshield.
System Components
Rain Sensor: The unit is mounted on the top center area of the interior windshield surface
directly behind the rear view mirror. The unit contains:
• Optical  Prism  Body:This  portion  of  the  unit  is  per-
manently  fixed  to  the  windshield.  It  can  not  be
removed and can only be replaced with a replacement
windshield.  
The prism body has a reflective surface that faces the  
back of the windshield. The prism body also acts as  
the windshield mount for the Rain Sensor Control   
Module.
• Rain Sensor Control Module:The control module incorporates the following;
- Infra Red Emitter and Detector Diodes
- Optics heater (prevents condensation from forming on diodes and prism)
- Optics evaluation and control electronics
- Photo cell to detect night driving 
The control module requires four signals for operation; KLR, KL31, Windshield Wiper Motor
Park Signal Feedback and K-Bus interface.
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Central Body Electronics ZKE III
Rain Sensor Function
The rain sensor is online as soon as it receives KLR operating power. 
• When the windshield wiper stalk switch is placed in the intermittent position the GM sig-
nals  the  rain  sensor  control  module  via  the  K-Bus  of  the  request  for  intermittent  wiping
and the position of the knurled wheel (sensitivity).  
• As an acknowledgement, the rain sensor sends a command via the K Bus to activate the 
wiper motor. If more than 12 seconds pass before the GM receives the acknowledge- 
ment, the GM concludes the rain sensor has a defect and operates the intermittent wipe  
function as a system not equipped with a rain sensor. The wiper intermittent cycling is  
based solely on the knurled wheel setting.
• The  rain  sensor  continuously  monitors  the  windshield  for  rain  accumulation  and  signals
the GM to activate the wipers based on the knurled wheel position and how fast the rain
accumulates on the windshield.   
• The knurled wheel position signal (1-4) via the K bus informs the rain sensor of the select-
ed level of sensitivity.  
- Position 1 (least sensitive) delays the wiper activation signal.
- Position 4 (most sensitive) sends the wiper activation signal to the GM sooner.
• When the wiper motor park contacts signal the GM of the wiper arm position, the signal
is  simultaneously  sent  to  the  rain  sensor  as  an  indication  that  the  windshield  has  been
cleared of water drops and causes the rain sensor to reset the sensitivity delay timer back
to 0.
• If night time driving is detected via the integral photocell, the sensitivity to water droplets
is increased causeing a shorter delay than day time driving.
• Depending on the intensity of the rain the wipers will be operated continuously as if set in
the  normal  wiper  stalk  switch  position  regardless  of  the  knurled  wheel  setting.  For  this
reason, the vehicle speed signal on the K bus is not utilized on rain sensor equipped wiper
systems.