When I bought Ruby RedHot last March everything worked on her- the AM radio, the windshield washers and wipers, etc. Now everything works except her windshield washers. When I press the knob for fluid I just get a horrendous noise. The wipers work fine. I haven't needed the washer fluid in awhile, but this anticipated trip we're taking promises bugs on the windshield. Can y'all help me? Thank you. :smile:
Becky, sounds like tank is empty or outlet is clogged. Fred
Hi Becky! :D
Have you checked the fluid level? It may be empty!! If you haven't used it maybe the tank is leaking. The pumps tend to squeal loudly when there is no fluid!
Brownie had a non working washer pump when I got her. I installed a replacement tank with a pump in it from a 78 Bobcat that I parted out a couple years ago. The pump worked occasionally but would scream like a cat in pain before it would shoot anything out!
This year when I did all the work on Brownie, I replaced the pump with a brand new unit and it works better than my Blue 78's washer pump does!
I would say your pump is going out.
It's not the fluid level, that's for sure! I filled it twice- after the tubing came off the tank! I'll bet it's the pump then. Thanks guys.
Ok... how labor-intensive will this project be? Is it easy to get to, can it be fixed or does it need replacement?
I think I spent $16 on a new pump from O'Reilly Auto Parts. You will need a set of needle nose pliers to remove the old retaining ring from the pump hole, then the pump will pull out of place. If it is old and really dirty in there, it may stick. I grabbed it by the pins to really pull on it and remove it cause the black plug plastic kept breaking into little pieces.
It only took me 20 - 30 minutes to do it, but I had to drain it of the half full tank of washer fluid.
If you're washer tank is empty, maybe 10-15 minutes to do.
Cool! Thanks Dave! Is the pump under the hood or inside the cowl area...? I don't think I've ever seen one (a WW pump). I'm glad parts stores still sell 'em... and not for an arm and a leg! ;D
It is in the washer fluid reservoir itself. If you remove it from the car (one or two bolts of 3/8" size), it should come out at and angle (there is a tab at the bottom center that helps to keep it in place). Where the reservoir "plugs in" at the bottom of the tank, that's the pump.
OMG!!! I never would've guessed it was in the reservoir! Thanks again Dave! I'll add that to my list of things to do with Ruby in the next four days! I can definitely access the fluid reservoir. ;D
Napa has one for me. I pick it up tomorrow morning. Dave, thanks again. ;D
Not a prob!
I got the washer pump this morning... had a heck of a time getting the old pump out due to mass corrosion. The new one slipped right in... but after bolting the reservoir back in place and replacing the plug and tubing... there's a leak coming from the pump area. I put the pump in with the notch aligned with the groove... put the new retaining ring in... I've fiddled with the pump but there's still a bad leak. I have a feeling the corrosion might've done a number on the pump housing. GRRR! >:(
Is your washer bottle square or rectangular? I think I have a spare or each in storage.
It's rectangular.
I will check on Monday or Tuesday next week while I a out there. I need to pull my original rear view mirror for the 78 out since my walmart one fell off on the way to work today and uses a different glass stud.
I found an identical reservoir at the junkyard yesterday. After I put the new pump and retainer in it I got the same result: noise but no squirts. I tried blowing and flushing the line but the only thing I got was mineral deposit flakes. I got new line and rerouted the feed and now I get noise... and squirts on the windshield! There's still the leak... but it's not too bad... ;D
Yeah Becky!! Can't wait to see you both in Carlisle! By then my car will be a nice looking blue Pinto. :fastcar:
Just thought of this. Did the new pump have a rubber compression ring seal on the inside end? If so, perhaps the pump is not installed all the way. If it is still leaking, I would take it back for another one.
The tank is kinda opaque, but I can see the rubber seal you're talking about when it's been inserted. It is usually fine til I activate the washer jets... then there's a steady drip. I still havethat noise, though...