Rear windshield washer pump

Post by **98v70dad** » 19 Jun 2017, 18:51

Today I replaced the rear windshield washer pump since it was long dead (running out of significant stuff to fix which is nice). Now if I disconnect all of the tubing it squirts water in the engine area. However, when I put it back together the way it was before I started it doesn't squirt onto the back glass. I stuck a needle into the spray head in the back and that didn't help. So, I've concluded that either the plumbing is hooked up wrong - I hooked it back up the way I found it. OR there's a clog in the tubing somewhere ... OR both. Any help? It would help to know how all the tubing is supposed to be hooked up and how to clear a clog. Thanks!

Post by **jreed** » 20 Jun 2017, 04:58

I had this same problem about 3 years ago -- working pump but no fluid at the rear nozzle.
In my case the lack of fluid was due to a malfunctioning check valve near the rear window nozzle. I removed the check valve and it has been working OK since.

Post by **98v70dad** » 20 Jun 2017, 18:13

jreed wrote: ↑20 Jun 2017, 04:58 I had this same problem about 3 years ago -- working pump but no fluid at the rear nozzle.
In my case the lack of fluid was due to a malfunctioning check valve near the rear window nozzle. I removed the check valve and it has been working OK since.

Thanks. Mine has a tee near the tank in the front that has a check valve in it. I don't see why you would need two check valves in the line since two is asking for trouble. Maybe, the previous owner had the plumbing hooked up wrong. Its hooked up so the check valve will allow the solution thru but not let it drain back into the tank. The open side of the tee is plumbed to open atmosphere to vent the system.

I don't really relish taking off all the trim on the hatch in the back. I just recently got it to finally quit squeaking. I'll probably leave it non-functional rather than pulling that trim off again and risk the squeaks coming back. The squeaks drive me crazy and I can do without the rear washer spray. I'm in the South so there's no winter road grim to clean off - ever. I've actually never needed to use the rear spray and very seldom use the wiper. I just don't like having non-functioning features. I was ordering other stuff and needed just a little more spending to get free shipping. The old pump was definitely dead and the new one works. But as always no project is as simple as it seems. Did I mention that all of the wiring insulation for the water float was missing and had to be restored? It seems that every project no matter how simple spawns two or three others.

Post by **jreed** » 21 Jun 2017, 05:11

I agree with you about the trim. I broke a piece off when removing it to get at the check valve. I glued the piece back on and it looks OK. To prevent or reduce the squeaks, I've been cutting pieces out of thin green adhesive-backed felt pads that I got at the hardware store. I put a small piece of the pad between pieces of plastic trim to separate them and prevent squeaks.

Post by **98v70dad** » 21 Jun 2017, 18:20

jreed wrote: ↑21 Jun 2017, 05:11 I agree with you about the trim. I broke a piece off when removing it to get at the check valve. I glued the piece back on and it looks OK. To prevent or reduce the squeaks, I've been cutting pieces out of thin green adhesive-backed felt pads that I got at the hardware store. I put a small piece of the pad between pieces of plastic trim to separate them and prevent squeaks.

I've forgotten how I fixed the squeaks but I think I used some clear silicon sealant as an adhesive. After installing the metal upgrade kit and having that work for only a few years I experimented with a bunch of things and settled on generous gobs of clear sealant in strategic places. That said it was at least a year ago and I may be remembering it wrong. I've used sealant before to do the same type of job on another car and it works well. It requires a bit of careful effort to remove, but its definitely removable. An Xacto knife and patiently working past each glob gets it done. However at this point I'm not sure I want to do that.

I'm considering rigging up a way to let some solvent (rubbing alcohol) soak that check valve on the tailgate by the nozzle. A rubber balloon filled with solvent sealed to the spray nozzle with duct tape and elevated slightly above the nozzle and allowed to soak over night may be enough to loosen up the check valve. Combined with some washer fluid under pressure (more than the pump can do) - maybe a bicycle pump onto a homemade adapter from the back side and it may free up. I've got an old schrader valve laying around somewhere in my workshop. The existing air in the tube is a problem since it has nowhere to go and will compress - gotta think more about that. So, anyhow, there's a shot of freeing it up without taking off the trim and doing a lot of work.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 21 Jun 2017, 19:08

Definitely check out that check valve and make sure you're not having any leaks under the car or in the trunk. It couldn't hurt to pull back the upper tailgate trim and remove the nozzle and make sure it's clear. It may be clogged to the point where it won't even dribble anything out.
Use a small air blow gun to clear out the nozzle. Just watch your eyes when you remove the washer nozzle!

Post by **98v70dad** » 21 Jun 2017, 20:01

bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑21 Jun 2017, 19:08 Definitely check out that check valve and make sure you're not having any leaks under the car or in the trunk. It couldn't hurt to pull back the upper tailgate trim and remove the nozzle and make sure it's clear. It may be clogged to the point where it won't even dribble anything out.
Use a small air blow gun to clear out the nozzle. Just watch your eyes when you remove the washer nozzle!

You may have missed the fact that I got tired of the constant squeaks and groans from the trim and "glued" it down with silicon sealant. The sealant is soft and can be reversed by cutting it but I'm not sure I really care enough about the back spray to undo my "fix" . I've enjoyed glorious silence from the back for about a year now and I don't really want to mess with it. I've owned the car ten years and used the back wipers one time. I've never needed the spray - I just wanted to fix it because its no working.

I've been exploring creative ways to get the check valve unstuck without removing the trim.

Post by **bmdubya1198** » 22 Jun 2017, 16:36

98v70dad wrote: ↑21 Jun 2017, 20:01
bmdubya1198 wrote: ↑21 Jun 2017, 19:08 Definitely check out that check valve and make sure you're not having any leaks under the car or in the trunk. It couldn't hurt to pull back the upper tailgate trim and remove the nozzle and make sure it's clear. It may be clogged to the point where it won't even dribble anything out.
Use a small air blow gun to clear out the nozzle. Just watch your eyes when you remove the washer nozzle!
You may have missed the fact that I got tired of the constant squeaks and groans from the trim and "glued" it down with silicon sealant. The sealant is soft and can be reversed by cutting it but I'm not sure I really care enough about the back spray to undo my "fix" . I've enjoyed glorious silence from the back for about a year now and I don't really want to mess with it. I've owned the car ten years and used the back wipers one time. I've never needed the spray - I just wanted to fix it because its no working.

I've been exploring creative ways to get the check valve unstuck without removing the trim.

Ah, I read that about the silicone but I missed that you sealed the trim around the tailgate.