How to Repair a Windshield Washer

Diagnosis and repair are easy, cheap and fast.

Introduction

Windshield washers are fairly reliable. When they fail, it'southward usually the event of a clogged nozzle or a dead pump. Here'southward how to diagnose and set up both problems.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Dielectric silicone grease
  • Washer fluid
  • Washer pump

Project step-past-stride (5)

Stride 1

Bank check the Fuse

With the automobile parked in a quiet place, operate the window washer and heed for the whirring of the pump.

  • If at that place's no sound, caput right for the fuse box.
  • If the fuse is diddled, it'due south usually a sign of a dead pump motor or one that's prepare to check out. If information technology blows again, supplant the motor.

Step ii

How to Find the Fluid Reservoir and Pump

Well-nigh automobile manufacturers mountain the washer pump near or inside the washer fluid reservoir. To locate your reservoir, just follow the windshield washer hose. If your reservoir is in the engine compartment, admission is simple. Merely many are hidden inside the forepart fender. Remove the wheel and the wheel line fender liner. And then you'll take admission to the reservoir and pump.

Find the windshield washer fluid reservoir diagram

Step iii

Articulate Chock-full Windshield Washer Nozzles

Articulate the chock-full windshield washer nozzle with a pin, then apply compressed air to blow the debris backward through the hose.

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

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

  • Somewhere forth the route, you lot'll find a plastic spinous connector or a round i-mode cheque valve. Disconnect the tubing at that place and try the washer again.
  • If fluid squirts out, y'all know the nozzles are plugged. Clean the nozzles past pushing a small pin in to loosen whatever debris, so blow the clog dorsum downward the hose and out the end that you disconnected.

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Pace 4

Cheque Power

If the fuse is proficient just the pump doesn't run, disconnect the connector at the pump and bank check for power 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 problem is commonly a poor electrical connectedness at the pump or a bad pump.

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

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

Try the pump once more. 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 avert dealing with replacing a bad one.

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Check power with a washer pump connector

Step 5

Supervene upon the Washer Pump

Pull out the old pump and supervene upon it with a new 1, following the replacement procedures packaged with your new washer pump.

  • Check with an auto parts shop for a "direct-fit," not a universal-style replacement. If 1 isn't bachelor, purchase one directly from the dealer.
  • If your reservoir is located inside the engine compartment, remove the retaining clips and lift out the entire unit and remove the washer pump.
  • If it's in the bicycle well, just remove the pump. Some pumps are held in place past a safety grommet, others with retaining rings or clamps. Follow the instructions included with your new pump for installation advice.

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Originally Published: October 15, 2019