Rear windshield fluid sprayer

[finlayscoyle]

Hi, my Volvo's rear windshield fluid sprayer stopped working any idea on how to fix this?

[erikv11]

Ideas sure! Short of full DIY instructions but I'd thoroughly check the hose that supplies the fluid:

- is the hose full of frozen water somewhere in the line?
- is the line connected properly up front at the reservoir in the engine bay? There is only one reservoir for all wiper fluid destinations (front windshield, headlights, rear window)
- is the line connected properly at the rear of the car? You can check this by removing the trim above the rear side window on the passenger's side.
- is the rear nozzle plugged?

Oh also - does the pump motor hum when you move the lever to supply fluid? Could even be a fuse if not. The pump is near the reservoir under the hood.

[scot850]

The pump most likely has frozen due of lack of use. The wagons have 2 pumps. I have had to replace one even after a year as I seldom use the rear one and they stick. I have been able to strip them and get them going again but it is a pain to do and likely ends up with damaging them beyond repair. There used to be cheap after market ones but they are now hard to find.

If you pull the leaver and you hear no whining from the area of the washer bottle then this is the issue. If the pump works but no water reaches the rear windscreen then there is a one way valve usually near the coolant tank area that can jamb closed. To see if that makes a difference disconnect it and see if water reaches the end of the pipe. If it does then replace the valve. Valve is there to hold water in the pipe to help quicker response at the rear.

If that is ok, then next issue is the nozzle may be plugged at the rear wiper.

Good Luck,

Neil.

[erikv11]

Good post from Neil. I now recall I had a plugged valve happen once on one of my wagons.

[Richard99]

The pumps often fail at the age of these cars. I replaced mine with a junkyard one that I checked for function with a 9 V battery and alligator clips.

The pump for the rear washer is the top one seen from viewing downward near the base of the filler neck. It usually requires a pliers to get a good grip to remove it.

[finlayscoyle]

Thank you guys I managed to fix it, the pump was indeed bad, a short visit to the breakers yard and I replaced it. Working all good now!

[finlayscoyle]

Glad it was that simple. Best to test it maybe every couple of weeks regardless.

Neil.

[Richard99]

Glad it was that simple. Best to test it maybe every couple of weeks regardless.

Neil.

+1

I give mine a good squirt every week or so.

Eric