Washer pump motor

[steveb_92rodeo]

'02 Civic, 4dr, 5spd, 1.7L

Hi all, this is my first time posting in this forum. My girlfriends car is the above.

Last year, I was parked at a store, and I swung the car around to pull out of the lot and a stop sign that was beside the car jumped out at me and smashed up the front left fender, as well as broke the washer pump motor.

I replaced the motor and fender last year, but through the winter, on very cold days (-15 celcius) the pump will not push water. (READ: the pump won't even turn on). Once it warms up, the motor works fine.

Now, when I replaced the fender, it appeared that the entire fender had to be removed to get to the washer tank.

Is there an access cover anywhere that I can get at it and check this out without having to remove the fender again?

Tks for any advice.

Steve

[whtteg]

-15 C what does that convert to in F? Is it below 32F?
If so then maybe the washer fluid is freezing.

[steveb_92rodeo]

Originally Posted by whtteg

-15 C what does that convert to in F? Is it below 32F?
If so then maybe the washer fluid is freezing.

Indeed 0 C is 32F, so this is well below 32F.

I buy -40 degree washer fluid, and to prove this theory incorrect, I ran the tank dry (with a handheld electric pump), and put the same fluid in it that I run in my truck.

My truck pump works in the cold, but the car does not...remember, same fluid.

Thanks for the idea though, it is certainly a good one. I'm thinking a bad contact with the connector, mosture possibly freezing on the cold days, separating the contact from the motor itself.

However, I don't want to have to take the fender off just to check that!

Tks,

Steve

[lorunner]

No no access just remove the inner liner it sure is easier than the fender.

And i agree that its without a doubt frozen fluid.

[steveb_92rodeo]

Originally Posted by lorunner

No no access just remove the inner liner it sure is easier than the fender.

Tks, I'll have a look on the weekend.

And i agree that its without a doubt frozen fluid.

I hate to disagree, but I have put the SAME FLUID in the car as I have in my truck, and tested with the same properties:

- first thing on a cold morning
- before both vehicles have been started
- try both pumps, the truck works, the car does NOT

Both vehicles are sheltered relatively the same amount from the wind.

I don't understand it...considering there may be other variables involved, such as tank size etc, I haven't heard of anyones windshield anti-freeze freezing before.

I'll have a look...if I'm wrong, I'll eat my shoe

Thanks again!

Steve