Installation Instructions
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Installing your new ThermalBlade Heated Wiper Blades is simple and quick
- Find a location within 5 feet of the vehicle battery and use screws or supplied Velcro to mount the Electronic Control Module (ECM).
- Plug in the supplied Wire Harness to the ECM and connect the red wire to the battery positive terminal and black wire to battery negative terminal.
- The Thermistor, a small temperature sensor on the end of two 4' long conductor wires, must be positioned and secured behind the grill or in another location that will sense outside air temperature and will not be affected by engine or radiator heat.
- Route the remaining two sets of wires under the vehicle cowl from the engine compartment, one set to each wiper arm base and up along the wiper arm, ensuring that no moving parts interfere with the wiring. Use the supplied cable ties and securely fasten to the wiper arm. If possible, route the wire though the tensioning spring on the wiper arm. This keeps the wire neatly in place and centered on the arm.
- Install each wiper to the arm using the adapter provided (If using the Na1 adapter for a "J Hook" style arm, ensure the adpater's curved surface goes on the bottom). If using the heated squeegee, plug the end of the wire harness into the waterproof connector on the Heated Squeegee Module. If using the non-heated squeegee, insert the weather plug (supplied with the Unheated Squeegee) into the wire harness wiper connector to ensure it does not become damaged by the elements.
Operation of the Electronic Control Module (ECM)
The ECM is a self-contained electronic control module including diagnostics for the operation of ThermalBlade Heated Wipers. Once power is connected, the ECM is placed into stand-by mode. Two conditions need to be met for the ECM to activate power to the heating element:
1. The engine must be running, and
2. The outside temperature is less than +4° C plus/minus 2° C(39° F plus/minus 4° F).
Once these two conditions are met, the ECM will send power to the heating element and the ThermalBlade wiper will begin to heat. When the engine is shut off, the ECM will interrupt power to the wiper ensuring no battery drain while the vehicle is off. The ECM is independent from the vehicle’s computer system to ensure universal compatibility for any 12v or 24v vehicle.
Replacing or Stowing your Heated Silicone Squeegees
1. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the squeegee connector on the vehicle's wiper arm. There is a small clasp attached to the squeegee connecting plug that must be slightly lifted with your fingernail or a small flat screwdriver in order to release the connector. Care should be used to not lift it so far that it breaks off. If you have put the wire from the squeegee underneath the wiper adapter your vehicle's arm is attached with, you will have to remove the wiper from the vehicle by pulling the adapter up and away from the wiper. This process may require a fair amount of pressure for it to "snap" off of the wiper. Don't worry, you won't break it. If the squeegee wire and connector are not underneath the adapter you can leave the wiper on the vehicle wiper arm or, to make it easier to work with, you can remove the entire wiper assembly from the vehicle's wiper arm as described above or by releasing the adapter from the vehicle's wiper arm, leaving the adapter mounted on the wiper and removing the entire assembly from the vehicle's wiper arm.
2. There is a small "clamp" at the point the wire comes out of the squeegee that holds the wire against the wiper and the wire must be slid out of this clamp to remove the squeegee from the wiper frame.
3. Observe the small red fitting on the opposite end of the THERMALBLADE Logo printed on the wiper. There is a small rubber "hood" that is part of the wiper frame that must be lifted up out of the way and the the squeegee can then be slid completely out of the wiper frame.
4. Install the replacement heated squeegees or unheated summer squeegees in reverse order. If installing unheated summer squeegees, install the small caps provided with the summer squeegees onto the Wire Harness connectors that would otherwise plug into the heated squeegee connector. This keeps the elements from damaging the connecting plug and can lead to Wire Harness failures.
Installation of your new ThermalBlade® Unheated Silicone Wiper Blades
Begin by removing your vehicle’s wipers as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Remove only the wipers as the vehicle’s original wiper arms will be used. If the adapter, specific to your vehicle, is not already attached to your new ThermalBlade® wiper, push it down onto the wiper’s mounting “ears” until you hear a pronounced “snap”, ensuring it is on the entire way. Make sure the adapter is installed so that the vehicle’s wiper arm will attach properly. There is only one correct way to do this step. Repeat for the second wiper. Next position your wiper with the red “ThermalBlade” logo up and on the left side as you are facing the windshield and attach it according to the style adapter and wiper arm you have. This is typically done in the exact reverse of the way the original wiper came off.
Replacing your unheated ThermalBlade® squeegees
There is a small rubber "hood" that is part of the Beam style wiper frame, on the opposite side from our red logo that must be lifted up and out of the way and the squeegee can then simply, and without tools, be slid completely out of the wiper frame. Discard the old squeegee and sub-rail it is mounted on. Slide the replacement unheated squeegee (or heated winter squeegee) into the main rail of the wiper frame where you just removed the old squeegee from. Put the rubber “boot” back down and over the blue end cap ensuring the tiny “point” of the new squeegee blue end cap drops into the hole on the rubber cap. Your replacement is now complete!
Installation of your ThermalBlade® Bundle #2. This Bundle includes (2) Replacement Heated Silicone Squeegees, (2) Replacement Unheated Silicone Squeegees and (2) Wire Harness Connector Caps. You are installing on your vehicle the best performing wipers offering the best value available
1. START HERE IF YOU HAVE HEATED WIPERS INSTALLED. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the squeegee connector on the vehicle's wiper arm. There is a small clasp attached to the squeegee connector that must be slightly lifted with your fingernail or a small flat screwdriver to release the connector. Care should be used to not lift it so far that it breaks off. If you have put the wire from the squeegee underneath the wiper adapter your vehicle's arm is attached with, you will have to remove the wiper from the vehicle by pulling the adapter up and away from the wiper. This process may require a fair amount of pressure for it to "snap" off from the wiper. Don't worry, you won't break it. If the squeegee wire and connector are not underneath the adapter you can leave the wiper on the vehicle wiper arm or, to make it easier to work with, you can remove the entire wiper assembly from the vehicle's wiper arm as described above or by releasing the adapter from the vehicle's wiper arm, leaving the adapter mounted on the wiper and removing the entire assembly from the vehicle's wiper arm.
2. There is a small "clamp" at the point the wire comes out of the squeegee that holds the wire against the wiper and the wire must be slid out of this clamp to remove the squeegee from the wiper frame. Continue to step 3.
3. START HERE IF YOU HAVE UNHEATED WIPERS INSTALLED. Observe the small red fitting on the opposite end of the THERMALBLADE Logo printed on the wiper. There is a small rubber "hood" that is part of the wiper frame that must be lifted out of the way and the squeegee can then be slid completely out of the wiper frame.
4. Install your new Replacement Heated Silicone Squeegee or Unheated Summer Silicone Squeegee in reverse order.
5. IMPORTANT: If you are removing the heated wipers or squeegees for summer, install the supplied Wire Harness Caps over the Wire Harness Squeegee Connectors to keep the elements out!
Troubleshooting instructions can be found here.