Washers stopped working...

[00XLS]

Both my front and rear windshield washers stopped working, I checked the fuse and its fine. Only recent thing I've done is add fluid and change my oil. Any ideas? kind sucks when I get the road scum kicked up.

 

[Hartman]

The lines are probably frozen.

 

[00XLS]

How cold does it have to get to freeze? I just added the rain X winter stuff. I don't hear the pump working as well, the wipers wipe but no fluid. Any other ideas?

 

[budwich]

did you check for 12v arriving and leaving the fuse?

 

[00XLS]

That I have not done but I will tomorrow, anything else I can check?

 

[JDraper]

Most likely cause is the relays. Had the same problem with my '01. There are two relays along the inside of the passenger's side frame rail in the engine compartment forward of the wheel. If either one of the relays goes out, the washer will stop working (these relays work in series).

 

[Turdle]

this is how they are layed out

 

[00XLS]

How do I go about testing the relay?

 

[JDraper]

Easiest way is to find another relay in the vehicle with the same part # and swap the other one in to see if the problem goes away. Remeber, BOTH of the wiper/washer relays must be operational for the system to work, so you may have to check more than one place.

 

[gijoecam]

It's going to be either the relay or the pump itself, and I'd put my money on the pump (but check the relay first).

From what I've heard, if it's the relay, one side will usually quit working before the other, so either the front or the rear will stop working first. It's uncommon (but not impossible) for BOTH sides of the relay to conk out at the same time.

Personally, I'd pull the plug on the motor and see what it's showing.

-Joe

 

[pax]

I had the same problem last week. It was the corrosion builded up on the contacts inside the electrical connector caused the malfunction on my 95. The plug is at the rear side near the bottom of the water container.
I just pulled the plug out, cleaned it with sand paper, sprayed the socket inside with WD40, plugged it back in, worked just like new.
By the way, that was my front washer. I didn't try the back washer at the time. So this may not be your problem.

 

[jvaltos]

Same problem on 2000....but novice trying to fix it

I have the same problem but I am afraid that I burn up to washer motor.

It was about 12F outside and used the washer, got a tiny amount out and then nothing since. I looked at the fuse box (didn't know which fuse was the correct one) and nothing "looked" different.

I do not have an owners manual and don't have the fuse box configuration.

I have worked on cars in the past with my father but haven't done anything in depth otherwise.

Could someone tell me a few things:
1. The fuse configuration (or at least where to buy an accurate book/manual to determine the fuses)
2. What the problem(s) might be...relay, fuses, motor all sound good to me.
3. A repair manual for me to purchase that might explain the how to part of this repair.

Thanks so much!!

 

[00XLS]

I believe its fuse #12 for the washer, that tunred out to be my problem. DOH ! I checked the wrong fuse, also until I got all of the "summer" rainX fluid out on real cold days I would have no rear washer.

 

[DBond]

this is how they are layed out

This box looks different then mine. Looks newer then my 96 which does not include. the washer pump relay. Does anyone know where to find the hidden relays on a 96??? The line going to the pump does not have 12v and the fuse appears good, so its either the relay or the MFS (multifunction switch) on the column.

 

[DBond]

Thanks to curiousity and "Dogfriend in the Ranger forum", this box has been found to be in the front below the air cleaner. - Bad spot for a relay box, since box get covered with salt spray from grill and the washer pump relay was the closest to the front edge and got corroded.

For location picture see
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=227598

 

[JDraper]

Most likely cause is the relays. Had the same problem with my '01. There are two relays along the inside of the passenger's side frame rail in the engine compartment forward of the wheel. If either one of the relays goes out, the washer will stop working (these relays work in series).

 

[DBond]

Update: Still searching for the problem.

I got a new relay and put it in and it is still not pumping fluid. I am not getting power to the pump. When I check the relay socket and found power to #3 pin but nothing from the other pins associated with the switch side of the other relay when having someone push the multifunction switch.

Does anyone have a circut diagram for the windshield pump? The diagrams I have from the Chiltons 1991-1999 omit it as part of the body diagram, after 1994! The 94 circut is wired totally different too.

This 1996 Ex had the dash pulled off by a previous owner in what I think was a swap out of a radio system. (appears upgraded it to multi CD system and center console from a sport track) and I am wondering if something is shorted or disconnected still. I have found a couple items not connected under the dash. I suppose I need to check out the multifunction switch closer too so the diagram will greatly help.


UPDATE: The washer works now. I traced the problem to the MF switch and was able to fix it with some divine intervention. Check for posts by me on this topic in other areas or search "divine intervention".

As mentioned before, I checked and found no voltage at the motor - which means check the relay in engine bay ( mine was bad) but also had a bad multifunction switch (turn signal, washer, wipers) too. The later was fixed at no cost by playing with it a bit. The switch gets dirty and then the pump contacts don't work. The button supplies power to the relay under the hood, when pressed allowing a greater amount of power to go to the washer pump. I fixed the MF switch by pressing the button in and moving it to each position High, Low, and each interval area and wiggling it back and forth. this appears to clean the dirt off and allow it to pass the power again when you press it.