How to Repair a Windshield Washer

Diagnosis and repair are piece of cake, cheap and fast.

Introduction

Windshield washers are adequately reliable. When they fail, it's commonly the result of a clogged nozzle or a dead pump. Here'south how to diagnose and fix both problems.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Dielectric silicone grease
  • Washer fluid
  • Washer pump

Project pace-by-step (5)

Stride i

Bank check the Fuse

With the auto parked in a quiet identify, operate the window washer and listen for the whirring of the pump.

  • If in that location'due south no sound, caput right for the fuse box.
  • If the fuse is blown, it'southward usually a sign of a dead pump motor or 1 that'southward ready to bank check out. If it blows over again, replace the motor.

Step 2

How to Detect the Fluid Reservoir and Pump

About machine manufacturers mount the washer pump near or within the washer fluid reservoir. To locate your reservoir, simply follow the windshield washer hose. If your reservoir is in the engine compartment, access is unproblematic. Merely many are hidden inside the front fender. Remove the bike and the bike line fender liner. Then you'll have access to the reservoir and pump.

Find the windshield washer fluid reservoir diagram

Footstep 3

Articulate Clogged Windshield Washer Nozzles

Clear the chock-full windshield washer nozzle with a pivot, then use compressed air to accident the debris backward through the hose.

  • If you hear the pump going but don't become fluid, you probably take chock-full windshield washer nozzles.

Lift the hood and trace the washer hose from the nozzles back to the reservoir.

  • Somewhere along the route, y'all'll detect a plastic spinous connector or a round one-mode check valve. Disconnect the tubing in that location and try the washer over again.
  • If fluid squirts out, y'all know the nozzles are plugged. Clean the nozzles by pushing a pocket-size pin in to loosen any debris, and so blow the clog dorsum down the hose and out the stop that you disconnected.

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Step 4

Bank check Ability

If the fuse is adept only the pump doesn't run, disconnect the connector at the pump and cheque for ability with a volt meter.

  • With the washer switch on, it should read 12 volts. If you don't hear the pump and the fuse is OK, the trouble is usually a poor electrical connection at the pump or a bad pump.

Remove the pump wire connector and have a friend operate the pump switch while you bank check for 12 volts with a digital meter at the connector.

  • If you don't accept voltage, the trouble is probably in the washer switch or the wiring. That'south the time to take the vehicle to a pro.
  • If you have voltage, clean the terminals and coat them with dielectric silicone grease.

Endeavor the pump once again. If it works, your problem is solved. If it doesn't, replace the pump. The main cause of pump failure is repeatedly running the motor while the reservoir is empty. So try to keep your reservoir full to avoid dealing with replacing a bad one.

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Check power with a washer pump connector

Step 5

Supersede the Washer Pump

Pull out the old pump and replace information technology with a new i, following the replacement procedures packaged with your new washer pump.

  • Check with an auto parts store for a "direct-fit," not a universal-style replacement. If one isn't available, buy one directly from the dealer.
  • If your reservoir is located inside the engine compartment, remove the retaining clips and lift out the unabridged unit and remove the washer pump.
  • If information technology's in the cycle well, just remove the pump. Some pumps are held in place past a rubber grommet, others with retaining rings or clamps. Follow the instructions included with your new pump for installation advice.

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Replace the washer pump diagram

Originally Published: Oct 15, 2022