Windshields washers not working

[Monomaniac]

So I wet to use my windshield washer to clean my windshield and nothing. I thought the fluid was low so I filled it up and still nothing. Both front and rear not working. Also I can't hear the pump working. Fuse under dash is good so I'm assuming it's the pump. Just hit 40k miles so I'm assuming this won't be covered under warranty. Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

 

[flyboysgt]

I see you're in NJ....you sure the fluid at the bottom of the reservoir or the lines aren't frozen? Happened to mine a few weeks ago.

 

[nevada]

So I wet to use my windshield washer to clean my windshield and nothing. I thought the fluid was low so I filled it up and still nothing. Both front and rear not working. Also I can't hear the pump working. Fuse under dash is good so I'm assuming it's the pump. Just hit 40k miles so I'm assuming this won't be covered under warranty. Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?

frozen...

I see you're in NJ....you sure the fluid at the bottom of the reservoir or the lines aren't frozen? Happened to mine a few weeks ago.

yup, that would be my guess as well.
I see this quite often around here.

they will freeze faster/easier when the fluid is low too.

 

[444]

If it's not frozen....

Lift up the hood and have someone activate the washer pump. If you see fluid coming out under the hood or at the back of the engine compartment then you have a loose/disconnected hose going to the sprayer or possibly from the reservoir somewhere.


These hoses can dislodge or the plastic connector can break after slamming the hood down. It's a super easy fix if any of the above is found to be the problem.

Keep us posted on what you find.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I ran into this when I was in Bend, lines froze up. I ran some RainX cold weather washer additive and then warmed up the 4Runner for a while to thaw out the lines and it worked again.

 

[Monomaniac]

Thanks guys I did think of the possibility of it being frozen but it's super cold here and going to be like that for a bit longer so don't know when I'll be able to thaw out. I've had the truck running for an hour at a time and thought that would be long enought to have it defrost but I guess not. Will keep everyone posted

 

[NoDak]

gotta remember to replace the summer bug fluid with winter fluid, in my case I forgot. had to wait until a 25F+ day to drain it out and put in some -35F fluid.

 

[flyboysgt]

Thanks guys I did think of the possibility of it being frozen but it's super cold here and going to be like that for a bit longer so don't know when I'll be able to thaw out. I've had the truck running for an hour at a time and thought that would be long enought to have it defrost but I guess not. Will keep everyone posted

What I did with mine was topped mine off with the lowest freezing point washer fluid I could find (-25) I think it was. After a while with driving it, it slowly thawed a bit at a time. I would use whatever was in there and then top it off again with the good stuff. After a few times of doing this I got all of the old dealership crap flushed out of the reservoir and lines. It has been great with the new stuff.

This is what I used.....
http://www.autozone.com/antifreeze-...sher-fluid/prestone-de-icer-washer/41165_0_0/

 

[philsey]

Wouldn't you at least hear the pump trying to work, even if the lines are frozen?

:shrug:

 

[nevada]

Wouldn't you at least hear the pump trying to work, even if the lines are frozen?

:shrug:

not if the fluid in the pump is also frozen.

 

[Monomaniac]

I see you're in NJ....you sure the fluid at the bottom of the reservoir or the lines aren't frozen? Happened to mine a few weeks ago.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner. Ok went outside and sat under the truck with the wife's blow dryer aimed at the bottom of the reservoir for about 20 min and surely enough the juices are flowing. Thanks for the help guys

 

[Intruder]

gotta remember to replace the summer bug fluid with winter fluid, in my case I forgot. had to wait until a 25F+ day to drain it out and put in some -35F fluid.

This is why I just run the cold weather stuff year round now.

 

[Engineer]

This is why I just run the cold weather stuff year round now.

Yupp! Wife mixed it up once and after doing the same trick with a heat gun I had enough of that so we only stock and use cold weather mix.

 

[flyboysgt]

Sweet. Glad you got it working.

 

[ScoMey]

Yupp! Wife mixed it up once and after doing the same trick with a heat gun I had enough of that so we only stock and use cold weather mix.

...There was a time a few years back where I would just start adding water to the washer mix in late spring, and into the summer. Then starting in about late August I'd add in the straight stuff again. Not sure what I was thinking. Now just straight -25 fluid year 'round and no problems.

 

[Engineer]

...There was a time a few years back where I would just start adding water to the washer mix in late spring, and into the summer. Then starting in about late August I'd add in the straight stuff again. Not sure what I was thinking. Now just straight -25 fluid year 'round and no problems.

Saving a few pennies now and then is ok