How to Troubleshoot a Windshield Washer Pump

 A washer pump in a vehicle sprays washer fluid from a reservoir through hoses and onto your windshield to clean off dirt and dust that could obstruct your vision. The pump pressurizes the fluid so it can spray out, but it may work less effectively over time. If there isn’t fluid coming out when you turn on the pump, there may be a number of causes, so inspect the pump’s system to find the source. The tank could be empty or there might be a damaged component that you can easily fix on your own. If the pump doesn’t work at all, there may be electrical trouble and you may need to replace the entire pump. Aussie Auto-glass, one of the best leading auto glass replacement company in Sydney, which is located at 813 princes highway in Tempe.

Diagnosing the Pump System

1.Listen for the pump while turning it on to rule out an electrical issue. Turn on just your vehicle’s battery and locate the button that activates the pump, which is usually on the steering column. Press the button and listen for a humming sound from the pump under your vehicle’s hood. If you don’t hear a sound, there’s either a problem with the fuse, your vehicle’s wiring, or the pump’s internal electronics.

.Try popping your vehicle’s hood if you have trouble hearing the pump.

.If you hear your pump humming but you don’t see any fluid coming out from the nozzles, the fluid tank may be empty or there may be a clog. The tubes that are connected to the nozzles may have been disconnected, as well.

.If the pump doesn’t work at all, you’ll have to check the pump’s electrical system to see if the pump is faulty.

2.Inspect the washer tank to see if it’s empty. Open your vehicle’s hood and look for the circular tank cap that has a picture of windshield wipers on it. Unscrew the cap and look inside the tank to check the fluid levels. Typically, you’ll see a blue or purple fluid inside of the tank. If you don’t see anything or the levels are close to the bottom, then it’s time to refill the tank.

.If you see dit or other contaminants inside of the tank, they may also cause a clog and should be flushed out.

.If you’re troubleshooting for a rear windshield, there may be a separate tank in the back of your vehicle. Check your vehicle’s manual if you have trouble locating it. Aussie Auto-glass(https://ozautoglass.com.au)near you.

3.Look for cracks and leaks in the hoses or tank. Open your vehicle’s hood and prop it up so it doesn’t fall down. Locate where the hoses connect to the plastic nozzles on your hood and run your fingers along its length. Visually inspect the hose for any damage or cracks to ensure it’s not leaking. Trace the hoses back from the other nozzles as well. If you see any damage, you’ll need to have the parts replaced.

4.Unscrew the tank’s cap. Pop the hood on your vehicle so you can access the tank. Locate the tank’s spout, which has a cap with a picture of windshield wipers on it. Turn the cap counterclockwise to loosen and remove it. Set the cap aside somewhere it won’t get lost.

5.Pour windshield washer fluid up to the tank’s fill line. Windshield washer fluid is usually a mixture of water and alcohol that cleans off dirt and dries off quickly. Open the bottle and pour it directly into the tank’s spout. If you’re worried about spilling the fluid, put a funnel in the spout. Keep pouring the fluid into the tank until it reaches the horizontal fill line on the side.

6.Seal the tank and close the hood. Put the cap back on the spout and turn it clockwise until it feels tight. Avoid forcing the cap on any further, or else you could damage or crack the tank. Lower your vehicle’s hood so the nozzles spray your windshield when you test them out.

.Never leave the tank uncapped since the liquid could easily spill or evaporate.

7.Test the washer to see if fluid sprays out. Turn on your vehicle’s battery without starting the engine. Press the button that activates the windshield wiper fluid and hold it down for 2–3 seconds. It’s normal for the fluid to sputter out at first, but it should form a steady stream or fan pointed toward the center of your windshield when the pump works properly.

.If you still don’t see fluid coming out from the nozzles, there may be a clog or an issue with the electronics.

8.Scrape dirt out from the exterior nozzles with a safety pin. Locate the 2–3 nozzles along the front of your windshield where the fluid normally sprays from. Stick the point of a safety pin around the nozzle opening to break apart any dirt or stuck-on material. Wipe the safety pin off with a shop cloth frequently to clean it off. Try to break off as much debris as you can.

9.Pour clean water through the tank to rinse out dirt and debris. Place an empty bucket underneath the pump to catch any runoff. Open your vehicle’s hood and unscrew the cap for the tank. Fill a second bucket with warm water and slowly pour it into the wiper fluid tank so it drains through the system. Keep pouring water through the tank until it comes out clean.

10.Refill the tank to test your wipers. Open the washer tank and fill it with wiper fluid up to the fill line. Close your vehicle’s hood before you turn on the battery. Hold the windshield button down for about 3–4 seconds so the fluid starts coming out from the pump. It’s normal for the wiper fluid to sputter when you first start spraying it, but it should form a consistent stream within a few seconds.

If your windshield washer still doesn’t work, there may be an issue with the electrical system.

Repositioning the Nozzle

1.Stick a safety pin into the nozzle’s hole. Choose a safety pin or a tool that’s narrow enough to fit into the nozzle’s exterior hole. Push the pin into the hole by about 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) so you can control the nozzle easier.

.You may be able to find a special tool made for positioning windshield nozzles. You can buy them for about $5 USD from an automotive supply store.

2.Move the pin to aim the nozzle at the middle of your windshield. Move the pin up, down, left, or right to adjust the direction the nozzle sprays. Try to move the nozzle so the spray lands in the center of your windshield so your wipers spread the fluid evenly.

.Only make small adjustments to the nozzle direction since it may spray further than you expect.

.Don’t try to force the nozzle to move if you feel resistance, or else you may break the nozzle.

3.Test your washer to ensure the fluid spreads evenly. Turn on your vehicle’s battery and press the windshield wiper button. Keep holding the button down until the wiper fluid sprays on your windshield. If it doesn’t land in the middle of your windshield, make a mental note of where you need to move it so you can make your adjustment from there.

If your nozzle sprays too high or low, the fluid may miss your windshield completely.

Warnings

If you have trouble finding the problem or repairing the pump, take your vehicle into a mechanic.

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