Windshield-washer fluid pump problem

[jsarche]

I've searched this forum a couple of different ways to find an answer, so I apologize in advance if I missed it.

I've got a 2004 Sport Edition. Within the last day or so, the front windshield-washer fluid system stopped working. I've checked the hoses where I could see them for clogs or frozen areas with no luck. I still can spray the rear window with fluid, and (obviously) I can hear the pump running.

But with the front, the wipers work but no fluid comes out. Again, there's no obvious blockage or kink in the hoses. Here's the thing: I don't hear any pump noises when I try to spray the front windshield.

My main question is: Are there separate front and rear pumps for windshield-washer fluid? My understanding is this couldn't be a fuse issue because the wipers and pumps (front and rear) work on the same fuse. Replacing a pump seems to be a fairly quick and cheap fix, so I'm hoping that's all it is. But I haven't been able to determine whether there are two pumps or one. If there's only one pump for both, it would seem I've got a problem with the switch on the steering-column stalk, but if there are two, I think it's pretty obvious the pump for the front windshield has failed.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[kevinpt]

I've searched this forum a couple of different ways to find an answer, so I apologize in advance if I missed it.

I've got a 2004 Sport Edition. Within the last day or so, the front windshield-washer fluid system stopped working. I've checked the hoses where I could see them for clogs or frozen areas with no luck. I still can spray the rear window with fluid, and (obviously) I can hear the pump running.

But with the front, the wipers work but no fluid comes out. Again, there's no obvious blockage or kink in the hoses. Here's the thing: I don't hear any pump noises when I try to spray the front windshield.

My main question is: Are there separate front and rear pumps for windshield-washer fluid? My understanding is this couldn't be a fuse issue because the wipers and pumps (front and rear) work on the same fuse. Replacing a pump seems to be a fairly quick and cheap fix, so I'm hoping that's all it is. But I haven't been able to determine whether there are two pumps or one. If there's only one pump for both, it would seem I've got a problem with the switch on the steering-column stalk, but if there are two, I think it's pretty obvious the pump for the front windshield has failed.

Thanks in advance for any help.

i think its two pumps. you could always fill the tank all the way to the top and try and run the front for a second or two and see if it goes down at all

 

[Ralphman]

It has two pump one in the front and the other on the back side of the tank. I would try some swapnostics or check the voltage going to the pump not working if you have some one to activate the circuit. If both pumps are good i would discount the line coming off the pump the the spray nozzles and blow compressed air through the line slowly and blow out any debris that could of gotten in the line or are clogging the nozzles. I have found out in my years of working on construction equipment that when the tank get ran dry that simply just refilling the tank wont do it you need to purg the lines before youll get fluid out.

 

[jsarche]

It has two pump one in the front and the other on the back side of the tank. I would try some swapnostics or check the voltage going to the pump not working if you have some one to activate the circuit. If both pumps are good i would discount the line coming off the pump the the spray nozzles and blow compressed air through the line slowly and blow out any debris that could of gotten in the line or are clogging the nozzles. I have found out in my years of working on construction equipment that when the tank get ran dry that simply just refilling the tank wont do it you need to purg the lines before youll get fluid out.

Thank you both for your help. I got this fixed today. I checked at two Toyota dealerships and was quoted prices of $85 and $62 for a replacement pump. After blowing that off and spending $23 at Napa, I spent 45 minutes in my garage doing the replacement. Turns out, the housing at the top (outside) of the original pump that carries the electrical connections was broken and had slipped off its mount.

The hardest part was putting the new pump in. I couldn't get it in with the grommet attached, so took the grommet off the new pump, put the grommet in the hole in the fluid reservoir and then popped the new pump in afterward. Worked perfectly!

For future reference, the pump for the front is the easier one to get to - it's the one closest to the front bumper. The rear one is a bit higher and closer to the driver side of the car. I'm glad that one is fine because it looks like getting access to it would have been a LOT more involved.

Once again, thank you both for your help.

 

[Tanque Verde]

Coupler or Connector

I'm bumping this thread because I have a basic question about the coupler/connector on the wiper fluid hoses/tubing on my 2007.

The problem is simple: as you can see in the picture, this connector or coupler has come apart. When I try to plug it back in, it doesn't click or lock into place. Even if I tape it, the pressure of the fluid is enough to force it apart.

I thought maybe the line was clogged and that back pressure was causing the connector to come apart, but when I physically hold the coupler together, fluid will spray out the nozzles on the hood as intended.

So I am wondering, is there a piece missing between the two parts of the coupler? What holds the two ends of these pieces together? Best solution?

Thanks.

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[Gin_Michelle]

You guys are rockstars. I just replaced my front wiper pump in my 2011 for $17. All I needed was a Phillips head screwdriver and a 10mm socket. The hardest part was figuring out which pump went to the front. It’s the lower one.

 

[Drcoffee]

I had this happen to my 07 FJC. The rear pump electrical connection broke off the pump. I sourced a used pump from ebay, $10 shipped. Somethings are worth buying new, but a washer pump isnt one of them.