Washers not working

[chrisExplorer]

Hi All,
My front windscreen washers have just packed up, the button still sets the wipers going but no water comes out. Is there a fuse for the washer pump? I couldnt find one listed in the owners manual but you never know.

Also if the button was knackered would it affect both the washers and the wipe function and the fact that it doesnt would it sugest the fault lies elseware....


Cheers
Chris

 

[fcat]

according to this fuse box diagram theres a fuse just for the front and rear washer

http://www.carolannminiatures.co.uk/cottagethimbles/explorer2.htm

 

[chrisExplorer]

according to this fuse box diagram theres a fuse just for the front and rear washer

http://www.carolannminiatures.co.uk/cottagethimbles/explorer2.htm

Thnaks for that, def not the fuse then as the rear washer works fine, will need to check for power to the pump next then...

Ho Hum!

 

[BIGHVM]

You checked if the holes are clear buy sticking a pin in them mate? both of mine were not working a while ago just for crud in the holes!

 

[chrisExplorer]

You checked if the holes are clear buy sticking a pin in them mate? both of mine were not working a while ago just for crud in the holes!

To be fair I havent, but only because they were working fine one day and not the next. Also if it was the jets that were blocked I would still be able to hear the pump go - wouldnt I?

Cheers
Chris

 

[kevin p]

If you can get at the pump terminals, try running some wires from the battery and flick them on the terminals to see if the pump works.

Kev.

 

[chrisExplorer]

If you can get at the pump terminals, try running some wires from the battery and flick them on the terminals to see if the pump works.

Kev.

Thats a good idea, i will get out there this afternoon and have a play.

Cheers
Chris

 

[nik]

Hi Chris,
My whole stalk was dodgy. The washer pump was intermittent and the full beam didn't work. Apparently this isn't uncommon for the stalk to wear out. It's a thin metal connector!
Anyway I had a new stalk fitted for the MOT and it's all good. It was a used stalk £25!
Hope this helps.
Nik

 

[chrisExplorer]

Ok, Still no further forward with this, partly cos Im lazy and partly cos - well Im lazy... Going to have a propper look at it on Sunday but I have already tried to get access to the pump but thats a no go due to access, and the haynes manual makes no sense when looking at the switch wiring. Does anyone have a clue as to which wires I should bridge at the switch side to make the pump run?

Cheers
Chris

 

[janolsson]

Hey Chris
Just looked at a wiring diagram for a 98 and it shows a relay for the washer motor in the Aux relay box.
The output from this to the washer motor is BK/W from pin 3 of the relay so put 12V on this and you'll know.
Signal from the GEM comes into this relay via wire T/R (Tan/Red) onto pin 2.
Power from fuse comes on W/BK to Pin 5.
Hope this helps, the best i could do.
Regards

 

[chrisExplorer]

Thats briliant, that should help narrow that fault down a lot.

 

[JDraper]

The relays going bad is also common in that generation Explorer. Not sure where it is on a UK version, but on the US version, there are two relays mounted inside the right frame rail under the airbox. The relays control front and rear washer/wipers. I had them go bad in my '01 and I lost my rear washers. Swapped the relays and got my rear washer back but lost the front.

 

[Bob Stevens]

Hi, I had the same problem (one of many) a few years ago.
Could be just that the reservoir has become contaminated with some crud. Where it comes from I've on idea but fill the reservoir and syphon the contents out with some spare tubing (3 -4 times) being careful not to swallow any of the contents. I was surprised a the results and pleased that the washers then started.

 

[janolsson]

If your pump is knackered then check this out. May need to check part no. to make sure it's right.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-EXPLORER...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item335b99fd5a

 

[chrisExplorer]

Thanks for that, Checking it all out tomorrow so will hopefully know which way to turn then
Chris

 

[janolsson]

Thanks for that, Checking it all out tomorrow so will hopefully know which way to turn then
Chris

So???

 

[chrisExplorer]

Urrrrm.... got distracted doing something else, and then it had to go to the garage to have its gearbox fitted which is where it is now due to the easter weekend! I promise to sort it out by the end of the week!!!!!

 

[chrisExplorer]

Right, Been out today and have fiddled and faffed and I have front washers by a bit of bodging! The pump runs one way and sends water to the rear screen and turns the other way and sends it to the front screen. to solve my problem in the short term I have switched the wires round so that the rear washer now sprays the front.

However this does not solve my problem fully and I still cant find the relay that controls the washers.

In the engine bay there is the fuse box towards the top of the engine bay, 1 relay box burried behind the the drivers headlamp and 1 besides the battery. Does any one know the location of this stupid relay as Im sure now that its the problem.!!!!

Cheers
Chris

 

[janolsson]

Just had another look at my cd.
The front washer works from a signal from the multifunction switch going to the GEM then from there to the relay and on to the pump.
The rear is straight switch to pump.
The wiring diagram just says Auxillary relay box#1
Not got an owners manual to hand to check if the location of the #1 box is in there, sorry
The wire from the multi function switch to the gem is either grey/red or lightblue/orange. It may be worth putting a meter on those to check the function of the switch.

 

[chrisExplorer]

Just had another look at my cd.
The front washer works from a signal from the multifunction switch going to the GEM then from there to the relay and on to the pump.
The rear is straight switch to pump.
The wiring diagram just says Auxillary relay box#1
Not got an owners manual to hand to check if the location of the #1 box is in there, sorry
The wire from the multi function switch to the gem is either grey/red or lightblue/orange. It may be worth putting a meter on those to check the function of the switch.

Hi
Thanks for the information, I have checked the function of the washer switch and get continuity on it, so I hope that it works ok!!! I think all my problems rest on this relay that I cant find! I mean for the love of god, why send the front washers through the 'gem' in the first place!... I wonder if its worth getting a known working relay and swapping them all out 1 by 1 - I must find it that way!!!!!

Cheers