front windshield washer

[old89lsc]

I recently replaced the ignition coil on my 2001 Windstar and after getting everything back together discovered that my front windshield washer is no longer working. I went back and checked that the lines were connected (they were) and then broke the washer fluid line at the elbow connector on the passenger side of the engine near the bottle. Pushing the button on the switch got nothing to come out there. The rear washer does work, as do the front and rear wipers.

I guess this means that it is either the front washer pump or the switch. Before I open the steering column to look at the switch is there an easy way of figuring out which item to look at?

[Davescort97]

Just run a + wire to the window/washer motor from the battery. If it works, then the problem is a fuse, switch or wiring.

[12Ounce]

Its good maintenance to drop and clean that reservoir every few years anyway. You will be surprised what you find growing in there. The biggest obstacle is that wheel well liner ... just grin and bare-it! Get several new screws and nuts before beginning. I've just gone thru this on my '99 ... the liner is much easier to remove now ... especially after a little re-selection on the fasteners.

[old89lsc]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

Just run a + wire to the window/washer motor from the battery. If it works, then the problem is a fuse, switch or wiring.

I would have never thought of that. Do I need to remove the wheel well liner to access the pump?

12Ounce's post has me a bit worried. I am notoriously bad at taking things apart.

[Selectron]

The washer motor pump doesn't have a constant ground connection, so if you're going to test it by hot wiring it with 12 volts then you'll also need to supply it with a ground. Just find the connector, unplug it, connect the pump's ground wire (should be tan/black) to any convenient ground point, and feed the other wire (should be dark green) with 12 volts, upon which the pump should operate.

If those wire colours don't match your van's wiring then identify the 12 volt wire by unplugging the pump and then probing into the harness side of the connector with a multimeter or 12 volt test lamp - the 12 volt wire should be hot at all times, even with ignition switched off.

Pump operation is controlled by the Front Electronics Module (FEM) - the pump has a constant 12 volts available, and the FEM then completes the ground side of the circuit as required, depending on the setting of the washer/wiper switch.

The Autozone wiring diagrams for the 2001 are here: diagram 1, diagram 2

And if those links don't work then try these instead: diagram 1, diagram 2

[12Ounce]

Originally Posted by old89lsc

I would have never thought of that. Do I need to remove the wheel well liner to access the pump?

12Ounce's post has me a bit worried. I am notoriously bad at taking things apart.

I'm notoriously bad about putting things back together. Didn't mean to scare you ... the liner perhaps doesn't need to come down ... I just took advantage of my liner being out to access the reservoir easily. May not be necessary, however.

[goad]

I have a 99 Windstar. There is an apparent break in the line from the pump to the front windshield. I cannot visually see where.
How is this routed? Do I need to go through the wheel well?
Appreciate any diagrams, help and/or ideas....

Thanks All!