Driver side windshield wash nozzle not working and I can't figure out how to disconnect it or the hose to even diagnose it?

[GhostTiger]

Any guide on this? I searched around YouTube and Google, but didn't find anything? 2002 Explorer. Thanks for any help!

 

[fordysenior]

Maybe try a safety pin or sewing needle to clear the nozzle.

 

[LMHmedchem]

Inspect the tubing that runs from the reservoir to the nozzles. If there is a leak anywhere along the tubing there will not be enough pressure to power both sprayers. In most setups, the drivers side nozzle is the end of the line so that is where you loose pressure first. You can run the sprayers for a bit and the look around for leaking fluid, or have someone run them while you watch. This can help identify small cracks. Look specifically at places where the tubing makes a turn or has to move some as the hood opens and closes. I have seem improperly routed tubing get pinched when the hood is closed. Also look at the fittings where the tubing connects to the sprayers and the reservoir.

If you can't find a leak, and the nozzles aren't plugged, your pump may be going bad and not putting out enough pressure. That would not be the first thing I would look at however. Replacement kits for the tubing and nozzles are very cheap if that is what you need.

LMHmedchem

 

[GhostTiger]

Inspect the tubing that runs from the reservoir to the nozzles. If there is a leak anywhere along the tubing there will not be enough pressure to power both sprayers. In most setups, the drivers side nozzle is the end of the line so that is where you loose pressure first. You can run the sprayers for a bit and the look around for leaking fluid, or have someone run them while you watch. This can help identify small cracks. Look specifically at places where the tubing makes a turn or has to move some as the hood opens and closes. I have seem improperly routed tubing get pinched when the hood is closed. Also look at the fittings where the tubing connects to the sprayers and the reservoir.

If you can't find a leak, and the nozzles aren't plugged, your pump may be going bad and not putting out enough pressure. That would not be the first thing I would look at however. Replacement kits for the tubing and nozzles are very cheap if that is what you need.

LMHmedchem

Thanks for your reply! I'll check that this weekend (probably won't have time or daylight before then). You are correct - the driver side nozzle is at the end of the line on my setup. Is it still possible there could be a leak in the tubing prior to the passenger side nozzle? The passenger side nozzle seems to work basically normal, I think.

 

[LMHmedchem]

Is it still possible there could be a leak in the tubing prior to the passenger side nozzle? The passenger side nozzle seems to work basically normal, I think.

Yes, the last one I fixed was just like that. The leak was between the reservoir and the passengers side nozzle. There was still enough pressure for the first nozzle but not much left for the drivers side.

Does anything come out of the drivers side nozzle? If there is some flow but just weak, it could be a leak in the hose or the tip of the nozzle cold be broken making it too large to get a good spray. If there is no flow at all, it is more likely there is a plug, especially if the passengers side seems to have too much flow.

On a 20 year old truck, you may just want to go ahead and replace the tubing and both nozzles. That costs $10-$15 and may take much less time than trying to figure out exactly what the issue is. Even if you identify the issue, you still have to fix it, so maybe just fix it to begin with. There are lots of kits on Amazon.

LMHmedchem

 

[GhostTiger]

Yes, the last one I fixed was just like that. The leak was between the reservoir and the passengers side nozzle. There was still enough pressure for the first nozzle but not much left for the drivers side.

Does anything come out of the drivers side nozzle? If there is some flow but just weak, it could be a leak in the hose or the tip of the nozzle cold be broken making it too large to get a good spray. If there is no flow at all, it is more likely there is a plug, especially if the passengers side seems to have too much flow.

On a 20 year old truck, you may just want to go ahead and replace the tubing and both nozzles. That costs $10-$15 and may take much less time than trying to figure out exactly what the issue is. Even if you identify the issue, you still have to fix it, so maybe just fix it to begin with. There are lots of kits on Amazon.

LMHmedchem

Ah ok, awesome. Thanks! If kits are that cheap, I think you're right that I may as well just replace tubing and nozzles. Do those kits come with instructions on how to do it? I can usually YouTube my way through simple repairs (like this seems to be), but I can't find anything on this specific issue.

Just for reference, a few months back I replaced the blend door switch on my heater with relative ease, and that seems way more technically intensive than these hoses and nozzles.