How to Repair a Windshield Washer

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

Introduction

Windshield washers are fairly reliable. When they fail, it'southward unremarkably the effect of a chock-full nozzle or a dead pump. Here's how to diagnose and fix both problems.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Dielectric silicone grease
  • Washer fluid
  • Washer pump

Project stride-by-step (5)

Step i

Check the Fuse

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

  • If there'south no audio, head correct for the fuse box.
  • If the fuse is blown, information technology's ordinarily a sign of a dead pump motor or ane that's fix to check out. If it blows again, supplant the motor.

Pace two

How to Find the Fluid Reservoir and Pump

Nigh car manufacturers mount the washer pump nearly or inside the washer fluid reservoir. To locate your reservoir, simply follow the windshield washer hose. If your reservoir is in the engine compartment, access is simple. But many are hidden inside the front end fender. Remove the bike and the wheel line fender liner. Then yous'll accept access to the reservoir and pump.

Find the windshield washer fluid reservoir diagram

Step iii

Clear Clogged Windshield Washer Nozzles

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

  • If you hear the pump going but don't get fluid, you lot probably take clogged windshield washer nozzles.

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

  • Somewhere along the route, you'll detect a plastic barbed connector or a round ane-way check valve. Disconnect the tubing there and try the washer again.
  • If fluid squirts out, y'all know the nozzles are plugged. Clean the nozzles by pushing a minor pin in to loosen any debris, and so blow the clog back down the hose and out the end that you disconnected.

How to Alter Wiper Blades in 3 Steps

Windshield sprayer: Clear clogged windshield washer nozzles

Stride four

Cheque Power

If the fuse is good but the pump doesn't run, disconnect the connector at the pump and 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 normally 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 bank 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's the fourth dimension to take the vehicle to a pro.
  • If you lot take voltage, clean the terminals and coat them with dielectric silicone grease.

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

Safer Driving with a Windshield Coating

Check power with a washer pump connector

Stride 5

Supersede the Washer Pump

Pull out the old pump and supersede it with a new one, following the replacement procedures packaged with your new washer pump.

  • Check with an machine parts store for a "straight-fit," not a universal-style replacement. If ane isn't available, purchase one direct from the dealer.
  • If your reservoir is located inside the engine compartment, remove the retaining clips and lift out the entire unit of measurement and remove the washer pump.
  • If it'due south in the wheel well, just remove the pump. Some pumps are held in place past a prophylactic grommet, others with retaining rings or clamps. Follow the instructions included with your new pump for installation advice.

How to Troubleshoot Windshield Washers

Replace the washer pump diagram

Originally Published: October fifteen, 2022