Front washer pump not working

[Garey Avis]

Hey guys, new here. I have a 2002 Explorer XLT. The front washers do not work. I have replaced the fuse, pump and the relay. The wipers function correctly when you push the button. The pump gets power through one of the wires and moves but very slow. Not enough to pump fluid. All lines are clear and connected. What else could be the problem?

 

[rocco123]

How well does the pump work if you power it directly.... like wire it to the battery?

 

[Garey Avis]

It about jumps out of your hand. Seems like it would squirt a mile

 

[rocco123]

I would make sure u are getting good power at the pump. could just be a poor ground. Should have at least 12 volts at its connector. if u believe it's a pluming issue, then check the orfice where fluid comes out, but I doubt both would be clogged.

 

[Garey Avis]

All the plumbing is good. I changed the orifice in the reservoir when I changed the pump. I am sure it is not getting enough voltage. Where is the pump grounded?

 

[Garey Avis]

The pump only has 2 wires. Is one a ground and the other the power?

 

[rocco123]

Yes. if u do a voltage test with negative to a known good solid ground on the car, like batt negative or a bolt on fender and other end to each of those contacts on connector u can figure out which is positive. compare that voltage reading to what u get from reading across each of the contacts at pump connector. if it's like 5 volts lower at connector, you have a bad ground. I have a electrical manual for my 02 and can check when I get home where the ground is located... or you can wire your own ground point for a better ground.

 

[Garey Avis]

So If I understand correctly. The pump spins one way for the front and the other way for the rear. How does that work? If you have one power and one ground, how does the pump know which direction to spin?

 

[Number Twelve]

I did this post just a couple of days ago. The front squirter circuit grounds through a relay in the rear wiper, and the rear squirter grounds through a relay in the front wiper. For the hi-tech people, it's called an H-bridge. The polarity is reversed by multiple supply and ground circuits. I would never try to fix this without the wiring diagram, and I'm an electronics nerd.

 

[rocco123]

Ok, I opened my manual, and it's sort of funny but washer pump motor is the page it opened right up to. I'll I'm u

 

[rocco123]

Gary, I sent u an im. text me.

 

[rocco123]

Ground G401 is at right hand D pillar.
There is a GEM in motor circuit that also provides 2 ground paths.the GEM is A112 and is located behind dash panel right side.

 

[rocco123]

Rear aux junction box P88 ties grounds together. P88 located rear right hand D pillar

 

[Garey Avis]

I did this post just a couple of days ago. The front squirter circuit grounds through a relay in the rear wiper, and the rear squirter grounds through a relay in the front wiper. For the hi-tech people, it's called an H-bridge. The polarity is reversed by multiple supply and ground circuits. I would never try to fix this without the wiring diagram, and I'm an electronics nerd.

OK, so I found that my explorer was missing both washer pump relays in the fuse box. I installed the one for the front washer but was not able to do the rear because they didn't have another. I will put it in tomorrow morning.
Here is the most serious issue. I am pretty sure they have replaced the rear liftgate with a newer one. The wiring in the gate has been cut and nothing is connected or working. None of the wires match the color cade from the car to the hatch. I will be picking up the correct 2002 harness for the lifgate on Friday. With that being said, I have no connection to the rear wiper. It sounds like this is my problem all together.

 

[Number Twelve]

Yep. The rear wiper cable came unplugged in my car and that stopped the front squirter. No cable, no squirt, unless you get the wiring diagram and connect the right wires together. If you do connect the right wires together, you must never try to turn on the rear squirter because it will blow a fuse! You want both? Put it back the way it was born or redesign the whole thing.

All this complication to avoid installing a rear squirter pump???
Three fuses, two relays, and an extra wiring harness?
If I ever meet a Ford design engineer I'm gonna need bail money.