How to Fix Your Car Windshield Washer

Tools and Materials You’ll Need to Fix Your Car Windshield Washer

Required Tools for This Project:
• Air compressor
• Air hose
• Socket/ratchet set
• 4-in-1 screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Impact Wench
• Voltage tester
• Rags
• Safety glasses
• Wrench set

You’ll also need a volt metre, a trouble light and a pin for clearing the nozzle.

Required Materials for This Project:
• Dielectric silicone grease
• Washer pump
• Washer fluid

Step 1: Check the Fuse

With the car parked in a quiet place, operate the washer and listen for the whirring of the pump. If there’s no sound, head right for the fuse box. If the fuse is blown, it’s usually a sign of a dead pump motor or one that’s ready to check out. If it blows again, replace the motor.

Typical Windshield Washer (see photo)
Follow the washer hose to locate the reservoir and motor – usually in the engine compartment or hidden behind the front fender.

Step 2: Clear Clogged Nozzles

If you hear the pump going but don’t get fluid, you probably have clogged nozzles. Lift the hood and trace the washer hose from the nozzles back to the reservoir. Somewhere along the route, you’ll find either a plastic barbed connector or a round one-way check valve. Disconnect the tubing there and try the washer again. If fluid squirts out, you know the nozzles are plugged. Clean the nozzles by pushing a small pin in to loosen any debris, then use compressed air to blow the clog back down the hose and out the end that you disconnected (see photo). 

Step 3: Clean Dirty Electrical Connections

If you don’t hear the pump and the fuse is okay, the problem is usually a poor electrical connection at the pump or a bad pump. Most car manufacturers mount the washer pump near or inside the washer fluid reservoir. To locate your reservoir, simply follow the washer hose. If your reservoir is located in the engine compartment, access is simple. But many are hidden inside the front fender. Remove the wheel and the wheel line fender liner. Then you’ll have access to the reservoir and pump.

Finding the reservoir:
Access a hidden-style reservoir by removing the tire and the wheel well liner (see photo).

Step 4: Check Power

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 have voltage, 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, 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.

If the fuse is good but the pump doesn’t run, disconnect the connector at the pump and check for power with a volt metre. With the washer switch on, it should read 12 volts.

Step 5: Replace the Washer Pump

Pull out the old pump and replace it with a new one, following the replacement procedures packaged with your new pump.
Check with an auto parts store for a “direct-fit,” not a universal-style replacement. If one isn’t available, buy 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 pump. If it’s in the wheel well, just remove the pump. Some pumps are held in place by a rubber grommet, others with retaining rings or clamps. Follow the instructions included with your new pump for installation advice.

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