Mounted at the bottom of the windshield washer fluid reservoir is a small pump that sends washer fluid to the windshield and, in some vehicles, the headlights or rear window.
How does the windshield washer pump work?
If you press your window washer, and you hear a buzz or hum, that is the windshield washer fluid pump. The pump is activated by the button on the steering wheel, and in some models, this is done indirectly through a signal from the vehicle's computer.
When a washer pump fails, the windshield washers stop working and you will not hear any noise from the pump when trying to operate the washers.
What are the symptoms related to a bad windshield washer pump?
When the windshield washer pump fails to activate the washer nozzles, and the normal buzzing sound is not heard, the windshield washer fluid pump or the electrical circuit is faulty. Also, these pumps crack and leak occasionally, and if water is accumulating on the bottom of the windshield washer fluid pump, the pump or reservoir must be replaced.
Can I drive with a windshield washer pump problem?
Driving without windshield cleaning components is not typically considered unsafe, but there will be no system to properly clean your field of vision if the need arises. If the windshield cleaning system is heavily relied upon in your location, consider repairing the system sooner than later. Also, this system works together to clean and protect the windshield, when one component fails, the risk of damage to the windshield is elevated. Lack of lubrication, incorrect windshield wiper angle, and worn windshield wiper blades are all causes of streaking, grooving, and scratching the path of the windshield wipers into the windshield.
How often do windshield washer pumps need to be replaced?
Windshield washer fluid pumps and reservoirs fail about as often as you think about their existence. When failure does occur, it is usually from the engine simply wearing out, or the pump being run without liquid in the windshield washer fluid reservoir. To keep the pump in good running condition, keeping the coolant reservoir full of fluid a big help.
How are windshield washer pump issues diagnosed?
Windshield washer fluid pumps are diagnosed by a guided process of elimination, from most likely, to least likely. The fuses are checked first, then the power at the windshield washer switch, then power coming from the switch, to the washer fluid pump motor. If there is electrical power going to the windshield washer fluid switch, but the switch will not send power to the windshield washer pump motor, the switch or wiring must be replaced. If the switch sends power, but the windshield washer pump will not run, power at the windshield washer pump would be checked. If electrical power reached the pump motor, but the motor did not run, it would be bench-tested, and confirmed failed.
The washer motor is sometimes replaced when problem is actually a defective washer switch, module, wiring, or plugged hoses and/or nozzles. Some systems have check valves that can plug as well. If you hear the pump running when operating the washer system, then the problem is likely something else.
How is a windshield washer pump replaced?
To replace the windshield washer pump motor, the reservoir must be accessed, as it is normally installed in, on, or near the windshield washer fluid reservoir. The fluid reservoir can be installed anywhere on a vehicle. They are commonly seen under the hood, behind the fender wells, behind the bumper yet in front of the core support, or, of all places, in the trunk. Once it is located and accessed, the old pump will unclip, or unscrew, and the new will go on in reverse order. Once the washer fluid pump is tested, the vehicle can be reconstructed.
When the pump is replaced, the washer lines and nozzles should be cleaned out if plugged, and the nozzles adjusted to spray properly onto the windshield.