Windscreen washer not coming out? Frozen?

Miss_Ratty

Hi There,

A few weeks ago I went to top up my windscreen fluid reservoir, and owing to the cold, went to put the recommended 1:2 mix on the screenwash. The only thing was, I filled with water first, and accidentally put too much water in and hardly any windscreen wash at all. The washer fluid is not coming out and hasn't been for about a week, although it did spurt for about five minutes once, but then stopped again. The motor isn't making a noise, and the fuse is fine. Is it possible that its a frozen pump (what the guy at Ford said - he only spoke to me on the phone though), or could the pump motor have gone? I also noticed when I lifted the bonnet that there seems to be mildew on the fabric where the washer things would be - could there be a leak there as well or does the felt stuff always go a bit mouldy?

Any suggestions or solutions would be gratefully appreciated.

neilmcl

Some washer systems won't actually attempt to pump if the fluid is frozen, thus preventing them from burning out. If should just try and add neat screenwash for now until the temps rise and hopefully it'll start working again. Make sure the nozzles are not frozen or blocked as well.

Wig

If the motor isn't making a noise, probably burn't the motor out while trying to get the thing to squirt when it was frozen. It's important, if when you switch the motor on you hear it but nothing happens, you leave it alone, the more you try it the more likely you will kill the pump/motor.

Use a washing up bottle full of water/screenwash mix, until the weather warms up a bit. When you are sure there is now not any ice in the system. Check for 12Volts at the pump connection, if the motor doesn't sound and you have 12 volts, = dead motor = look on ebay for replacement.

Miss_Ratty

I've just been outside and wiggled pins in the nozzles, checked the pipes to see if they "felt" frozen, which they didn't, and wriggled the wiring into the pump just to see. I have no idea about cars, so it felt like a futile stab in the dark (and I was secretly hoping it would be something easy like the fuse!).

The top of the reservoir wasn't frozen, but it could be further down (its kind of hidden from view).

I will admit that when it didn't work, I was v.v.stupid, and kept pressing the button thinking it would "clear whatever was blocking it" (I know - idiot), so I maybe could have ruined what was maybe just a frozen pump :-(

My OH has a voltmeter in the loft, but doesn't look like he's going anywhere this evening (even the loft!). I need my car for work tomorrow - I just pray it rains all day!!!

Miss_Ratty

Sorry, I forgot to say thank you to you both - it's so helpful having people about on here who know stuff - I am so rubbish at these things!

Wig

When my washer bottle was empty the other day, in order to wash my screen when I stopped at traffic lights I opened door, grabbed a snowball and threw it onto the windscreen (whilst remaining seated in the driving seat ISWIM) worked a treat!

DaveMacD

My washer pump was frozen the other day (no noise, no water) but working ok now it has thawed out...

Miss_Ratty

I think it must be broken!!! It's really mild here now but its still not going. Had a look in my Haynes manual but its a jacking-up and removing of wheels job, which I wouldn't be confident in doing! Will have to book him in at our local garage.

rev_henry

Wig wrote: »

When my washer bottle was empty the other day, in order to wash my screen when I stopped at traffic lights I opened door, grabbed a snowball and threw it onto the windscreen (whilst remaining seated in the driving seat ISWIM) worked a treat!

I did that as well! Well actually I stopped and used the snowball as a cloth. That was at the second or 3rd petrol station I came to which didn't have any water.
Another thing to do is drive past/near a big lorry which will throw up spray onto your windscreen. Only problem being that it makes the rest of the car filthy.

cyclonebri1

neilmcl wrote: »

Some washer systems won't actually attempt to pump if the fluid is frozen, thus preventing them from burning out. If should just try and add neat screenwash for now until the temps rise and hopefully it'll start working again. Make sure the nozzles are not frozen or blocked as well.

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

ckerrd

Miss_Ratty wrote: »

I think it must be broken!!! It's really mild here now but its still not going. Had a look in my Haynes manual but its a jacking-up and removing of wheels job, which I wouldn't be confident in doing! Will have to book him in at our local garage.

Have you checked the fuse again?

In the recent cold spell I managed to blow two fuses.