Windshield washer pump

[skoville]

I couldn't find the lame question category so I'll post here.

My washers don't work. I checked fuses and swapped around the relays. Guessing it's the pump started looking for it. [it's been awhile since I've worked on cars] I'm tracing the pump tubes but it started to snow so here I am.
Is it really located UNDER the reservoir? This Explorer is really a mess. A lot of cut wires under the hood. The fill indicator on the side of it is disconnected. No big deal but it makes me wonder about the pump, if I could find it.

 

[koda2000]

IIRC the washer pump is on the right rear of the washer reservoir. If you follow the hose you should find it. You do not need to remove the reservoir to remove the pump, It just kind of snaps into the reservoir and has an o-ring seal. Push down on the top of the pump to pop it out.

Do you hear the pump run when you push the button? Mine ran but I found I had a bunch of goop/slime in the bottom of the reservoir, that prevented the fluid from being pumped. I cleaned it out and then it worked like new.

Tip: Test the pump before buying a new one. There is at least one relay associated with the washer pump (maybe two, one for front and one for the rear). I believe these relays are located in the small black plastic box under the air filter box.

 

[koda2000]

You should have a similar, but much smaller, relay box on the passenger side, along the frame rail under the air cleaner box. All my Ex's do.

 

[koda2000]

You should have a similar, but much smaller, relay box on the passenger side, along the frame rail under the air cleaner box. All my Ex's do.

Don't replace any relays without knowing if they're the problem. Just swap them around. If they look the same, they are the same.

Did your washers ever work? If you have a test light or VOM, and someone to help you, unplug the washer motor and test the electrical connector for power when the button is pushed. It should only have 2 wires, power and ground. If you have a VOM also test the ground wire for continuity. Those are the first tests to do (and the easiest).

 

[skoville]

You should have a similar, but much smaller, relay box on the passenger side, along the frame rail under the air cleaner box. All my Ex's do.

Don't replace any relays without knowing if they're the problem. Just swap them around. If they look the same, they are the same.

Did your washers ever work? If you have a test light or VOM, and someone to help you, unplug the washer motor and test the electrical connector for power when the button is pushed. It should only have 2 wires, power and ground. If you have a VOM also test the ground wire for continuity. Those are the first tests to do (and the easiest).

Givung that a shot now. Had ti go get mm stuff.

 

[skoville]

If your still with me. Found two wires jury–rigged withe aligator clips. One hooked up to the AC (not working) I think and the other nowhere. 2 wires in a separate tube but one is red one is purple. I applied power to the pump and got the washer pumping. so that's OK.. Not knowing which wires are supposed to go to the pump I may have to do a separate switch to the pump. Thereis another cluster of wires cut off but I would'n think it would be in there. The schematic I founf say one is black and the other green with a black stripe.

 

[skoville]

You should have a similar, but much smaller, relay box on the passenger side, along the frame rail under the air cleaner box. All my Ex's do.

Don't think I need it. Hot wired pump and it worked.

 

[McBlaster]

Just did this on my 99. The pump is pretty easy to get off without removing anything. It will drain out all of your fluid when you pop it out. After installing it I also replaced fuse #11 as it was blown as well.

 

[skoville]

Now that I know I can hot wire the pump and it's OK, I'll go that route.,this might become fun after all! Time to get a repair manual and good wiring book.
Thanks MCBlaster.```````````````````````````````` I probably won't be needing your help anymore...........

 

[lobo411]

For the record...I recently had to pull my blower motor to get rid of a leaf that was making a playing-card in the spokes noise. Since my coolant reservoir was beginning to crumble I decided to replace that too, and I found the same slime blockage obstructing the wiper pump intake. I was surprised at how thick/strong that slime can be. I don't think running a solvent through the system would have cleared it--it had to be physically removed.

 

[koda2000]

For the record...I recently had to pull my blower motor to get rid of a leaf that was making a playing-card in the spokes noise. Since my coolant reservoir was beginning to crumble I decided to replace that too, and I found the same slime blockage obstructing the wiper pump intake. I was surprised at how thick/strong that slime can be. I don't think running a solvent through the system would have cleared it--it had to be physically removed.

Ditto.

 

[skoville]

Being new at these Explorers, I'm surprised at the leaf phenomenon. Mine had leaves all over everywhere EXCEPT the intake, pump, or the reservoir. Even in the glove box. Hooked up, pumps like crazy.
I would like to wire it correctly but at least I'll be able to get it clean. Rear wiper doesn't work (probably because of the sprung hatch) but at least I'm making headway.
ANY other fixes would be would be appreciated. Than