How to Repair a Windshield Washer

Diagnosis and repair are easy, cheap and fast.

Introduction

Windshield washers are fairly reliable. When they fail, it's usually the result of a clogged nozzle or a dead pump. Here'due south how to diagnose and ready both bug.

Tools Required

Materials Required

  • Dielectric silicone grease
  • Washer fluid
  • Washer pump

Project footstep-by-step (5)

Stride i

Cheque the Fuse

With the machine parked in a placidity place, operate the window washer and mind for the whirring of the pump.

  • If there'south no sound, head right for the fuse box.
  • If the fuse is diddled, it's usually a sign of a dead pump motor or i that'southward ready to bank check out. If information technology blows once more, replace the motor.

Pace two

How to Find the Fluid Reservoir and Pump

Nigh car manufacturers mount the washer pump near 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 fender. Remove the wheel 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

Clear Clogged Windshield Washer Nozzles

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

  • If you hear the pump going just 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 road, you'll find a plastic barbed connector or a circular 1-mode check valve. Disconnect the tubing there and try the washer again.
  • If fluid squirts out, you know the nozzles are plugged. Make clean the nozzles past pushing a small pin in to loosen any debris, then blow the clog back downwards the hose and out the end that you disconnected.

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Step 4

Check 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 y'all don't hear the pump and the fuse is OK, the trouble is commonly 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 check for 12 volts with a digital meter at the connector.

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

Try the pump again. If it works, your problem is solved. If it doesn't, supplant the pump. The primary crusade of pump failure is repeatedly running the motor while the reservoir is empty. And so try to keep your reservoir total to avoid dealing with replacing a bad i.

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Check power with a washer pump connector

Pace v

Replace the Washer Pump

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

  • Check with an auto parts store for a "direct-fit," non a universal-fashion 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 entire unit and remove the washer pump.
  • If it's in the bicycle well, just remove the pump. Some pumps are held in place by a safety 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