Washer Pump Problems

[Joe Fast]

I have a pain in the #$% problem with my washer pump/related wiring. When I bought the car the front wasker did not work; however, the rear did (same pump). I have tested the unit with a test light and when the switch is hit the wipers work and the pump does get power, but nothing happens. I have swaped out most of the components to see if I can put my finger on the problem but have had no luck. I have swaped pumps, wiper switches and have blown out the lines with compressed air. Nothing different. What I did as a quick fix was swap the hoses on the pump and now the front works when I hit the rear buttton (I needed a way to get rid of the salt on the windshield after snow storms). However it is very anoying to do so because the rear wiper then runs dry. Does anyone know how the system works? are there any hidden relays that could be causing this problem. The dealer is dumb and no one has been of any help around here. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Thanx

Joe

 

[410Fortune]

Wow that is interesting, power gets there, its a new pump, and it still doesnt work? Does the pump come on (listen to it)?

I have found the connection from wiring harness to the pump itself gets dirty or loose and can cause a no pump situation like you describe, make sure the wires are TIGHT.

I wasnt aware that the newer trucks have a single pump for both wipers, on my BII and the Gne I explorer's they have a seperate tank for the rear wiper and a seperate pump....

 

[Joe Fast]

I think that it is a relay problem. How does the pump know where to pump the fluid to? Does the polarity in the pump get switched and then reverse flows????


HELP. This really sucks.


Joe

 

[410Fortune]

Joew I dont know. You said you switched the tubes, right so that the spray comes out for the windshield, correct?

So if you switch them back fluid comes out on the rear window right?

I would have to look under the hood, I have never seen the later model system

 

[Kenerg]

any resolution on this ...


Mine is doing the same!!!!!


intermttant at first but the front total kicks out now.

 

[Joe Fast]

No resolution... Mine has been going on for almost two years. I think that the pump is wired to a relay that changes fluid flow depending on what switch is triggered. I have no idea where it is or if that is even the case... All I know is that I have changed everything from the pump to the wiper switch and have no luck.....

 

[JDraper]

It's most likely the relays. I had the same problem with my X, and it turned out to be the relays. The relays are in a black box along the passenger's side frame rail near the front of the engine compartment. There are two relays in the box. One for the front and one for the rear. HOWEVER...Both relays must be installed (if they work or not) for any part of the system to work. If you pull one to see if it's the bad one, the whole system won't work. It's a strange design, but that's how it works. Best bet is to replace both relays. I have had both replaced under warranty and the problem was fixed!

 

[MONMIX]

there is one inherent problem with your test method.
Test lights are not a 100% reliable test.
You ground the test and put it on the wire.
That tells you you have 12v at the connector but after the connector you still may need more information.
Multi-meters are the best for such tests.

I only use test lights on fuses personally.

 

[Kenerg]

does anyone have a pic on where these relays are located... couldnt figure it out for the life of me....




nothing worse then getting mud on the windshield and have to open the moon roof to throw some fluid on it

 

[JackStraw_1969]

I have a simailr problem and detirmined it was in the combo-switch on the tree......$45.00 to replace and from what I've read here it seems to be a common problem. I was haveing blinker problems as well tho.

 

[Joe Fast]

Fixxed it. I went to a friends yard and began swapping relays with an other 99 being usd for parts and got it. The relay panel is right next to the bottom of the air box


JOe