Windshield washer dead

[p38rhino]

Greetings. Symptom: pressing the front windshield washer button does nothing. No wiper activity, no spray. However, on regular wipe functions, the wipers work fine. Also, the rear wiper and washer work fine. Any ideas?

Thx,

J

[rrtoadhall]

Have you checked your washer pump?

[p38rhino]

Have you checked your washer pump?

The pump is definitely not running. I can check with a voltmeter to see if it's getting power. Can you offer some guidance as to it's location?

If the pump is dead, would that also cause the wipers to not function when the washer function is activated? Like I said, the wipers don't go either when I hit the washer button, but the wipers ARE functional in other modes.

Thanks!

J

[lrscott]

if the wipers or pump don't do anything when the button is pressed, then it is most likely the button.

[medcapequip]

I remember in my old Audi if the washer fluid level was not high enough it would not work. Is your tank full?

[p38rhino]

I remember in my old Audi if the washer fluid level was not high enough it would not work. Is your tank full?

Thanks for the tip, but no such luck. Guess it's just time to break out the old volt-meter and trace the circuits. I've ordered an shop manual; it's about time I had one. Hopefully that will help in diagnosing the problem, or at least locating the various components involved.

Best,

J

[rrtoadhall]

...or you can always download the manual for free off the internet.

[mekadodo]

I haven't used my washers for a long while, tried to turn the front one on, had to hold it for several seconds while the water ran through the pipes etc. The rear one didn't work @ all. Probably gunk stuck somewhere.

I must remind myself to give them a quick run every so often after I clean it out

[ajkennedy]

P38Rhino,

First step I would suggest is to stop by your stealership and buy a checkvalve for the washer system. It is a $6 plastic jobby that fits inline between washer reservoir and the windshield along (US) passenger side of engine bay. This has fixed lots of non working systems as they tend to really get clogged and shut down the supply. There is also one for the rear sprayer that does the same thing, but is a B_tch to get to behind the subwoofer in the body wall on (US) rear drivers quarter panel.

Good luck!

Art in San Jose

[DubSport]

I had a similar problem last night. The check valve (very small black thing on the wash fluid line just before it connects to hood) was spraying all over engine bay. I deleted it and now all works as normal.