Washer Fluid

[flashlight]

Is it common for the motor on the washer fluid to die? I have the tank filled but no matter how many times I press to get the fluid to come out nothing happens. And how does one get to it so that it can be changed?

[GM Line Rat]

Well, the 1st thing that you determine is that it actually IS the washer pump at fault. Do the wipers work on the car? If not, check the 15 Amp wiper fuse in the underdash fuse box. Easiest way to confirm the pump is bad is to:

1. Turn the key to the ON position, but dont start the car. Have an assitant push the washer switch forward while you are under the hood next to the washer bottle and listen to see if you here the motor run?

2. If you dont hear it, Get a 12V Test light, ground the clip good to a clean body bolt. Then remove the electrical connector from the washer pump motor, touch the 12V test light probe to the "Blue with a black stripe wire terminal in the connector, then have your assistant push the washer switch again. Does the test light come on? If so, the pump is gone.

3. If not, the problem is in your "Combination Switch" on the steering column. This is the switch that turns on the headlights, wipers, washer. Post back what you find with this test.

BTW, If you hear the pump run when you test it with an assistant, chances are that 1 or more of the hoses for the washer fluid is clogged up. Pull the hose off at the windshield area and retest to see if it sprays?

[Woodie83]

Take off the driver's side front wheel, then remove the plastic fender liner, it's between the wheel and the front bumper. A lot of cars are wired for front and rear wipers, but the bottle they put in there only has one pump motor. I had a car that was wrecked and they plugged in the wrong connector when they fixed it. All I did was unplug one connector and plug in the other one.

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by Woodie83

Take off the driver's side front wheel, then remove the plastic fender liner, it's between the wheel and the front bumper. A lot of cars are wired for front and rear wipers, but the bottle they put in there only has one pump motor. I had a car that was wrecked and they plugged in the wrong connector when they fixed it. All I did was unplug one connector and plug in the other one.

Almost forgot about this! Yes, the pump and bottle are behind the inner DS fender well. Phillips screws hold it in on the outside, Black plastic push pins on the inside part of it. To remove the push pins, just take a small phillips screwdriver and push in on the "Center" of the pin until you feel it go in and click, then remove the whole pin out of the hole. After the pin is out of the hole, Pop the center of the pin back out again by pushing on it. The pin is ready to re-install now when your done with the job.

[idmetro]

Before you go pulling the inner fender check to see if the fluid spray nozzles are plugged. You can do this by disconnecting the hose from the underside of the hood, or possibly there is a splice in the line you could separate then press the button to see if fluid is being delivered; if so you just need to unplug the nozzle(s). If you still don't get any fluid then check the wires going to the washer pump they run through a hole in the inner fender behind the battery. after that if you still have no luck then pull the inner fender. I'd save the inner fender for last not because it is hard to remove but because those little plastic pins get brittle over time and tend to break easily. So far I haven't found a reliable supply of replacements. Good luck.

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by idmetro

I'd save the inner fender for last not because it is hard to remove but because those little plastic pins get brittle over time and tend to break easily. So far I haven't found a reliable supply of replacements. Good luck.

It's not mandatory that you use the same type of "Re-Usable" push pins in the inner fender well holes if you break a couple. Any solid "Ribbed" plastic push pin of the same diameter can be used in these holes. You may have to cut them in length if a hole is shallow, but they will work and are available in the "Help" section of parts at Autozone etc... Just for reference though, GM used these same "Re-Usable" push pins (Found in the Metro's) in many of there vehicles lines. You'll most likely find them in Black, Being used in Dashboards, consoles and interior trim of the 95 and newer vehicles. Next trip to the junkyard.....Check it out.