windshield washer problem

[kaykin75]

Hey. My windshield washer fluid won't come out! Nothing is frozen and nothing is plugged. I did notice that I do not hear any noise when I try to "squirt" it. Pump?? If so 1) how do I tell and 2)can I replace it myself?Nothing in the manual to help.Thanks!!

[Raven]

There are two pumps. One for the back and one for the front. Try the back one and see if it works. Changing it is not too tough. You get to it from underneath the car. They are kind of $$$ though.

[Digger]

Did you check the fuse?

[kaykin75]

According to my brother, the fuse that runs the pump also runs about 6 other things. I assumed that if the other things are running that the fuse is fine.

[tribalman]

i would post full pictures, but i don't wanna take off the cover on the car. sorry.first thing you will need to do is partially take off the wheel well cover. just do the front part. keep all parts. you should see the washer fluid reservoir and the 2 pumps. to test too see if it is bad unplug each of the pumps and switch the wires between them. it is easy to remove the wiring, just press the tab and pull. press the switches again. if when you pull the handle (normally set to the front, but now back) and hear wirring and water comes out the back, you know that the wiring and switch are fine. if you twist the switch (normally for the back, now set to front) and don't hear anything or see any water you know the pump is bad. i went to my local auto parts store and picked up a new one. i don't remember it costing too much. maybe about 20?? because you want to make sure you have the right pump marked as the bad one, unplug one of them. try both switches. if you see fluid that is the good one and the other is the bad. if you don't see fluid, that is the bad one and the other is good. verify if you wish by unplugging the 1st one and plugging in the 2nd. if you are going to replace it later mark it in some way or just remember. i believe that the pump closer to the bumper controls the back window.it is easy to replace the bad one. firstly grab a knife, pliers, and a big bucket. first thing you want to do is remove the hose on the bad pump. drain out the fluid into the bucket. remove the plug if it is still plugged into the relay. pull it out, there might be some more fluid that will splash out so have the bucket nearby. i don't recall how much effort is required, but it wasn't too much. if there are any grommets or removable parts pull them off the old one and position them onto the same spot on the old one, or if they new one already has them, double check to see that they look about the same.if your new one doesn't have the same plug as the old one some slight electrical work needs to be done. cut the old plug off one wire at a time, only 2. try to cut as close to the plug as possible to keep the wire as long as possible. the new pump should have 2 of these . insert the blue with white stripes wire from the car into one end of the connector. from the other insert the white wire. close the flap firmly. use the pliers if you need to. then do the same for the blue wire from the car and the black on the new one. install the pump into the reservoir making sure it is sealed. put some of the fluid into the reservoir and test it out. if it works put the rest in and celebrate.hope this helped you.

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[Sublimewind]

A quick note about the above... "Vampire clips" which are shown above ARE NOT recomended to be used ANYWHERE they can be exposed to the elements, unless you have a SURE FIRE way of protecting them FROM said elements, good electrical tape or adhesive lined heatshrink.. IF for any reason those vampire clips get exposed to the elements, they can and will, start the wiring that they are on, down a path of corrosion... I've seen it 100 times and saw it again last night when my GF's dad came over because his tail lights were not working... what did I find holding the trailer wiring on... Vampire clips.. It turns out that the switch on the dash was the final culprit, but him and I BOTH know that the clips on the rear of the truck are going to have to be replaced, along with about 5ft of factory wire... Beware....

[joatmon]

Quote, originally posted by kaykin75 »According to my brother, the fuse that runs the pump also runs about 6 other things. I assumed that if the other things are running that the fuse is fine. What other six things did your brother say are powered by that fuse? I only see where the "WASHER" fuse powers the front and rear washer pumps. If one of the pumps works, then it's not the fuse. If neither works, then I'd check the fuse before thinking that both pumps failed. Unfortunately, the washer fuse is in the hard to access under dash fuse block

[kaykin75]

Thanks for all the help....wanted to let you know that my washer started working again today.....maybe it was frozen!!

[Digger]

I would fill it up with some winter fluid and run the spray for a few washings.

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by Digger »I would fill it up with some winter fluid and run the spray for a few washings. +100... The nozzles could have been frozen as well... but if you didn't hear it running, then I guess the pump could have frozen as well..