windshield washer

car911 · 05-13-2002, 10:03 PM

I did not fill the washer fluid tank and it sat dry for about a month. I just filled it and tried the washers but obviously the pump has run dry and won't prime.

Any suggestions how to get it going?

walt · walt's Garage

Those washer pumps are prone to failure, have someone operate the switch while you feel the motor. They should be self priming but don't actuate the motor dry for more than 10 seconds at a time or it will overheat.

88911coupe · 05-14-2002, 09:33 AM

I have a similar problem. I have removed the pump and was wondering if there's a way to test it out of the car. I am electrically ignorant but could I hook it up to some sort of battery just to see if it runs. I tried to test it in the car but there's no way to flip the lever and get near the pump to see if anything's happening.

Later,

car911 · 05-14-2002, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by walt
Those washer pumps are prone to failure, have someone operate the switch while you feel the motor. They should be self priming but don't actuate the motor dry for more than 10 seconds at a time or it will overheat.

The motor is running fine. It just does not seem to be priming. I wonder if there is an easy way to prime it without disassembling the tubing or whatever.

Kurt B · 05-14-2002, 10:45 AM

You probably have leak. Go over the lines in the front trunk. They follow the wiring on the driver's side of the car and go behind the front removable wall. The pump is right in front, next to the battery of all places, and it may be corroded. The pump doesn't need to be primed BTW.

Where the tubes connect to the motor, it tends to corrode and they come off or lose vacuum.

What you can do it pull of the tube that goes to the squirters and run the pump. It should draw water from the reservoir.
Also, if you waxed the car over time and didn't use the washers, you can clog the squirters so much nothing can get through.

Argo · 05-14-2002, 10:58 AM

Check the T and L valves on the washer fluid hoses, too. They're also behind the removable panel. They tend to clog up over time and jam shut. Easy and cheap fix; the only annoying part is getting those oem Porsche hose clamps off. Pry 'em up and Dremel 'em off. Get some spring clamps at Home Depot to replace them.

If you have the intensive cleaning feature, you can use that to test if these valves are functioning or clogged. When I redid both washer systems I also found that it takes more fluid than you would expect to fill the tank enough so the pump would draw fluid. I put a little less than 1/2 gallon in and it did nothing. Put the rest in and it works fine.

Argo
88 Targa

gregk1 · 05-14-2002, 12:30 PM

I just went thru that same thing there is a small screen inside the washer tank hooked to the line.There is a cap on top of the tank inside the fender well.I think it is also a one way check valve. After a good amount of time funk starts growing in the tank like alge like in a swimming pool or hotub. I took the cap off the tank and cleaned the screen and it pumped fine but cloged up agen right away. The stuff on the screen was real slippery That's how I figuerd the alge thing came in to play. A cup of bleach might do the trick

car911 · 05-14-2002, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Argo
Check the T and L valves on the washer fluid hoses, too. They're also behind the removable panel. They tend to clog up over time and jam shut. Easy and cheap fix; the only annoying part is getting those oem Porsche hose clamps off. Pry 'em up and Dremel 'em off. Get some spring clamps at Home Depot to replace them.

If you have the intensive cleaning feature, you can use that to test if these valves are functioning or clogged. When I redid both washer systems I also found that it takes more fluid than you would expect to fill the tank enough so the pump would draw fluid. I put a little less than 1/2 gallon in and it did nothing. Put the rest in and it works fine.

Argo
88 Targa

I only put in about 1/2 gallon. I will fill it and report back!

CamB · CamB's Garage

I had to reprime the pump on my Jag XJ6 the other day.

Not being smart enough to know a better way, I used the following method:

1. Undo hose from a nozzle
2. Put in mouth
3. Suck hose while someone else activates pump
4. Spit out diluted washer fluid, while girlfriend laughs at your face looking like you just sucked a lemon
5. Reconnect nozzle, and enjoy working washers (ignore hopefully non-toxic aftertaste from unnecessary mouthwash).

Haha - I hope you can think of a better way.

walt · walt's Garage

Their is an article in issue number 1 of "9" regarding repair of windshield washer systems.

rlane · 05-14-2002, 06:40 PM

I had a totally mucked up pump...the plastic housing had a large hole melted in it!
Anyhow...since you guys are out looking at yours...which terminal does the brown connector go on..the one paralell or the one perpendicular to the front bumper?
Then I can fill the tank anfd give it a whirl...

car911 · 05-16-2002, 09:11 PM

Update.

I filled the tank with another gallon of fluid but it still did not work!

Then I noticed some water from the front of the car. So I checked the pump area. It turned out that one of the hoses had come off the pump and fluid was pumping into my trunk compartment!

I put the hose back on. Cleaned up the mess. And now I have a clean windshield.

Thanks to everyone who helped me on this. It's great to get so much help on little problems like this!