Dodge Dakota 2001, Service Manual

Page: 577 / 2307

(2) Open the hood and pull the hood to plenum
seal off of the forward flanges of the cowl grille cover
and the plenum panel.
(3) Remove the cowl plenum cover/grille panel
from the top of the cowl plenum. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/EXTERIOR/COWL GRILLE - REMOVAL).
(4) From the underside of the cowl plenum cover/
grille panel, disconnect the washer hoses from the
three barbed nipples of the wye fitting/check valve
unit.
(5) Remove the wye fitting/check valve unit from
the underside of the cowl plenum cover/grille panel.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the wye fitting/check valve unit to the
underside of the cowl plenum cover/grille panel.
(2) From the underside of the cowl plenum cover/
grille panel, reconnect the three washer hoses to the
barbed nipples of the wye fitting/check valve unit.
(3) Reinstall the washer hoses for the washer noz-
zles into their locating clips on the underside of the
cowl plenum cover/grille panel.
(4) Reinstall the cowl plenum cover/grille panel
onto the top of the cowl plenum panel. (Refer to 23 -
BODY/EXTERIOR/COWL
GRILLE - INSTALLA-
TION).
(5) Reinstall the wiper arms onto the wiper pivots.
(Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/WIPERS/WASHERS/
WIPER ARMS - INSTALLATION).
WASHER FLUID LEVEL
SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The washer fluid level switch is a single pole, sin-
gle throw reed-type switch mounted on the outboard
side of the washer reservoir forward of the washer
pump/motor, in the right front corner of the engine
compartment. Only the molded plastic switch mount-
ing flange and connector receptacle are visible when
the switch is installed in the reservoir. A short nipple
formation extends from the inner surface of the
switch mounting flange, and a barb on the nipple
near the switch mounting flange is press-fit into a
rubber grommet seal installed in the mounting hole
of the reservoir. A small plastic float pivots on the
end of a bracket that extends from the switch nipple
formation. Within the float is a small magnet, which
actuates the reed switch. The washer fluid level
switch cannot be adjusted or repaired. If faulty or
damaged, the switch must be replaced.
OPERATION
The washer fluid level switch uses a pivoting,
oblong float to monitor the level of the washer fluid
in the washer reservoir. The float contains a small
magnet. When the float pivots, the changing proxim-
ity of its magnetic field will cause the contacts of the
small, stationary reed switch to open or close. When
the fluid level in the washer reservoir is at or above
the float level, the float moves to a vertical position
and the switch contacts open. When the fluid level in
the washer reservoir falls below the pivoting float,
the float moves to a horizontal position and the
switch contacts close. The switch contacts are con-
nected in series between ground and the washer fluid
switch sense input of the instrument cluster. The
switch is connected to the vehicle electrical system
through a dedicated take out and connector of the
headlamp
and dash wire harness. The switch
receives ground through another take out of the
headlamp and dash wire harness with a single eyelet
terminal connector that is secured under a nut to a
ground stud located on the right front fender inner
shield in the engine compartment. The washer fluid
level switch can be diagnosed using conventional
diagnostic tools and methods. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRI-
CAL/INSTRUMENT
CLUSTER/WASHER FLUID
INDICATOR - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
REMOVAL
The washer fluid level switch can be removed from
the washer reservoir without removing the reservoir
from the vehicle.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Disconnect the washer hose from the barbed
outlet nipple of the washer pump/motor unit and
allow the washer fluid to drain into a clean container
for reuse.
(3) Disconnect the headlamp and dash wire har-
ness connector for the washer fluid level switch from
the switch connector receptacle (Fig. 2).
NOTE: The pivoting float of the washer fluid level
switch must be in a horizontal position within the
reservoir in order to be removed. With the reservoir
empty and in an upright position, the pivoting float
will orient itself to the horizontal position when the
switch connector receptacle is pointed straight
downwards.
(4) Using a trim stick or another suitable wide
flat-bladed tool, gently pry the barbed nipple of the
washer fluid level switch out of the rubber grommet
seal on the outboard side of the reservoir. Care must
be taken not to damage the reservoir.
(5) Remove the washer fluid level switch and float
from the washer reservoir.
(6) Remove the rubber grommet seal from the
washer fluid level switch mounting hole in the
washer reservoir and discard.
8R - 8 WIPERS/WASHERS
AN
CHECK VALVE (Continued)