One fix for rear window washer not working

[workman482]

Hello everyone. Thought I would contribute a little knowledge gained on my '04 XLS. Especially since someone else's thread helped me with a A/C problem. I didn't find another thread for this gen of Explorer so I figured I would go ahead and put it on here.

Just purchased my Explorer and got it home before I realized that the rear window washer didn't work. Whenever I tried to use it the fluid looked like it was dumping from behind my passenger side rear tire. Upon further inspection I found that it was leaking from a seam in the fender well. After some research online I found that the front and rear window washers work off of the reservoir in the front so I knew it wasn't a problem with a reservoir in the rear, had to be a split or break in the line. The following is the steps (with pics) that I took to fix my problem.

Before you can get to the hose you need to take off some the plastic fascia in the cargo area.

Here are the tools that I used through out the process:

I used the screwdriver to press in and pry the clips loose. They shouldn't need a lot of pressure.

The first step is to remove the piece on the bottom, (all the pieces snap into place, no screws.)

Once you have that removed you must now remove the piece at the top:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4932.jpg

Once the top piece is removed, you now have to remove the plastic piece covering the passenger rear corner:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4930.jpg

Now that all that is out of the way you can get to the actual piece of plastic that is covering the line. There is no need to remove it all the way. Just undo enough snaps to reach the tubing:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4929.jpg

Here is what the actual problem was:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/IMG_20100915_133955.jpg

The line wasn't broken or split, it had just come apart. Every time I tried to use it like this it was dumping washer fluid down into the body and onto some electrical work as seen here:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/IMG_20100915_134023.jpg

If needed you can get down there with a paper towel or rag to get the water out. you definitely don't want to let the water just sit in there as it can cause corrosion.

Here is what I did to my tubing once I put it back together to keep it from coming apart again. You could also use a small hose clamp if you have one handy.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4927.jpg

Well, once you put the hose back together you just have to snap everything back in place.
Reminder: When you get done, as well as when your snapping the plastic back in, make sure the rubber seal isn't pinched under the plastic anywhere as it could cause leaks and wind noise.

Well I hope I didn't bore anyone and someone finds this useful. Thanks for your time.

 

[xTOM153x]

Thank You for doing this my rear windshield wiper fluid doesn't come out hopefully this is the problem I thought it might be motor but it still makes the noise for it to come out but nothing happens

 

[workman482]

NP. I just hope it helps.

 

[xTOM153x]

Hey finally took a good look at it and pulled the trim off the back and found that it was connected back there but turned out to be in the engine bay it was disconnected and was collecting water in a corner until I had it going for a bit then started to drip and heard it. Plugged it back in and put a zip tie around it and works great. Thanks

 

[workman482]

Yeah, you'd think Ford would have put zip-ties or hose clamps on there from the factory. Oh well. At least it was an easy fix. Glad the thread helped.

 

[xhomerjayx]

Hey can you post the pictures again please? I have the same issue and I want to fix it. Thank you very much

 

[bowhunter543]

This is just the problem I am having. Can't access your pics. Do you still have them?

 

[Lobinapr]

Repost of photos for this thread

Hello everyone. Thought I would contribute a little knowledge gained on my '04 XLS. Especially since someone else's thread helped me with a A/C problem. I didn't find another thread for this gen of Explorer so I figured I would go ahead and put it on here.

Just purchased my Explorer and got it home before I realized that the rear window washer didn't work. Whenever I tried to use it the fluid looked like it was dumping from behind my passenger side rear tire. Upon further inspection I found that it was leaking from a seam in the fender well. After some research online I found that the front and rear window washers work off of the reservoir in the front so I knew it wasn't a problem with a reservoir in the rear, had to be a split or break in the line. The following is the steps (with pics) that I took to fix my problem.

Before you can get to the hose you need to take off some the plastic fascia in the cargo area.

Here are the tools that I used through out the process:

I used the screwdriver to press in and pry the clips loose. They shouldn't need a lot of pressure.

The first step is to remove the piece on the bottom, (all the pieces snap into place, no screws.)

Once you have that removed you must now remove the piece at the top:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4932.jpg

Once the top piece is removed, you now have to remove the plastic piece covering the passenger rear corner:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4930.jpg

Now that all that is out of the way you can get to the actual piece of plastic that is covering the line. There is no need to remove it all the way. Just undo enough snaps to reach the tubing:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4929.jpg

Here is what the actual problem was:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/IMG_20100915_133955.jpg

The line wasn't broken or split, it had just come apart. Every time I tried to use it like this it was dumping washer fluid down into the body and onto some electrical work as seen here:
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/IMG_20100915_134023.jpg

If needed you can get down there with a paper towel or rag to get the water out. you definitely don't want to let the water just sit in there as it can cause corrosion.

Here is what I did to my tubing once I put it back together to keep it from coming apart again. You could also use a small hose clamp if you have one handy.
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/workman4_82/Explorer Forum Pics/_MG_4927.jpg

Well, once you put the hose back together you just have to snap everything back in place.
Reminder: When you get done, as well as when your snapping the plastic back in, make sure the rubber seal isn't pinched under the plastic anywhere as it could cause leaks and wind noise.

Well I hope I didn't bore anyone and someone finds this useful. Thanks for your time.

Can you repost the photos for this thread? I think is going to help fix my problem. Thanks!

 

[MD80Guy]

Apologies in advance for raising the dead,but I'm having this issue on an '04 Ex.I can hear the fluid gurgling,but rear windshield remains dry.
Can not find a thing about removing rear door trim anywhere.

 

[se9303]

Apologies in advance for raising the dead,but I'm having this issue on an '04 Ex.I can hear the fluid gurgling,but rear windshield remains dry.
Can not find a thing about removing rear door trim anywhere.

Greetings,

This is an old one, but might anyone have some of the images previously referenced to in this thread. My 2006 explorer has water leaking around the passenger’s side cargo area window when i engage the water for rear wiper cleaning.

Looking for some information as a guide to correctly remove the needed plastic interior trim of the cargo area without breaking anything.

Any help will be appreciated.