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Windshield washer fluid not pumping?

W

Warren

Member
Got time to kill waiting for shop to fix the rear end bearing, looking at small stuff. I noticed that wipers work fine in 2 speeds
but no fluid squirting, bottle 3/4 full. See a pic off the stock unit I have. Is this repairable ,seized up or toast?
Not a deal breaker but be nice for it to work since its there and we get a lot off pollen here in spring be nice to
use fluid to clean without having to get out and manually wife the green goo off
 
Trying to upload photo but says file to big, not sure how to adjust my I phone to take smaller pics
 
The nozzles are located under the rear of the hood, at the base of the windshield.
Maybe they are clogged ?
Do you have an air compressor you can blow them out with ?
Or run a wire through them.
When you try to run the washer, is the pump making any noise ?
 
^^^^ or cracked/ pinched hoses.
Basically check to see that nozzles aren’t clogged. Poke a thin wire into them to make sure. Check integrity of hoses, including the hose that goes from the bottle to the pump.
There are rubber bits in the pump that sometimes gets damaged and can be replaced cheaply.

This is a typical kit
IMG_7377.jpeg
 
Soap and debris dries in the lines. Also try to prime the system of air, if you go the pump route try to do it on the car, the pump shaft is finicky to get lined back up on the wiper motor.
 
All good info, thx going out to test lines now. I hear a light click when button pushed but it docent sound like a typical washer pump
with a long duration noise. I would order the pump rebuild kit but something telling me its the pump motor
good tip on changing the kit with pump installed in car
 
I've had dozens of washers in my hand, not one worked. Never really tried to remedy an old pump, but now I'm curious if it's a simple thing. The pump seals and hoses are simple things.
 
cheveslakr said:
I've had dozens of washers in my hand, not one worked. Never really tried to remedy an old pump, but now I'm curious if it's a simple thing. The pump seals and hoses are simple things.
Click to expand...
That's why I paid $120 for an old pump/motor assembly in really nice condition that had been "sitting on a shelf for 30 years."
I haven't had any luck installing new pumps or trying to repair them.
I still have that washer motor/pump assembly sitting and I haven't tested it to see if it works ! But it does look good :)
 
I checked all the lines, there all open. Unit just clicks when I put squirt button. That should mean PWR is getting there
I think. Is there a relay that might not be working correctly. I see all the fuses but no cover over them and no way to
know which is were
 
When I was putting my 68 together the car came with a 2 speed wiper motor ( non hidden)in the trunk, I found a place on Ebay that sells wiper/washers for A bodies (hidden) that come with a new pump and rebuilt wiper motor or it might have been visa versa but it's been working fine, that's if you need a replacement, I think I still have the reciept in a file, pumps can go bad or just get stuck so you might be able to take it apart and gently clean it, remember if its original the diaphram could have detriorated or have a small hole but like already said look for any place that could prevent the suction needed for it to pump fluid, any small hole will cause the same problem as a failed pump, can you hear the pump motor humming? Also you might need a small pc of hose to use as a stethoscope to hear it
 
When engaged the pump shaft should be turning regardless if the pump it defective or seals are damaged.
Mine has no movement at all on the shaft of the pumps its either seized or damaged. I don't think changing the pump
internal seals ect will make a diff if the lil electric motor is not working. I think its time for a new pump,luckly the wiper motor
is still working.
 
Warren said:
When engaged the pump shaft should be turning regardless if the pump it defective or seals are damaged.
Mine has no movement at all on the shaft of the pumps its either seized or damaged. I don't think changing the pump
internal seals ect will make a diff if the lil electric motor is not working. I think its time for a new pump,luckly the wiper motor
is still working.
Click to expand...
I'll look for my reciept after diner and try to get info if you want, you might still be able to get a replacement from a parts store?
 
Im getting somewhere with it. I had to help work the little motor arm back and forth while someone
held the washer button in. I also filled the pump, res, and lines with water and eventually it started to dribble then flow then squirt
but there must be a seal leak in the pump as it will spit air and stop plus the pump was leaking out the bottom, maybe a weep hole.
I think changing out the pump internals as above may get it working again. Just not sure if the little motor will eventually
stay running quickly without me helping it along. Definitely worth spending $20 CDN on a pump rebuild kit to try.
Thx all for your help. Just noticed my upper rad hose is swollen and leaking at connection. Definitely got my hands full with this old car.
But so far its a labour off love!
 
I’m sure you’ve checked electrical connections. I think the motor that runs the wiper is the same motor for the pump. I believe there might be a little actuator that engages a pawl which is moved back and forth by a cogged wheel. The electrical connection to that little actuator could be an issue.

Regular auto parts stores used to have those pump rebuild kits. Same kit was used on a ton of cars for a ton of years. Maybe check Amazon or EBay. In other words, I’d be tempted to go with the cheapest retailer because it’s probably the same part as the more expensive ones.
 
JohnC, good point ,connections looked ok visually but possible there not getting full current thru to pump.
will clean up contacts. The wipers do move slowly but no water on windshield dosent help.
Im pretty weak on electrical.
 
Make sure you have a good ground at the wiper/washer switch in the dash, I had to run a seperate ground wire to the ground strap where the switch mounts behind the dash just to get my wipers to work but when my car was apart and I was cleaning the dash gauges I thought it would be a good idea to paint the mounting plate, Wrong since the mounting plate is also a ground strap, bad ground to the switch can cause the wipers to not work or work slow
 
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