Wiper Fluid Not Spraying? 6 Ways to Fix Windscreen Washer

A dirty windshield limits visibility which jeopardizes your driving safety. So the situation when the windscreen washer is not working may turn into a serious problem. The reason can be as simple as an empty washer tank or as complicated as a damaged wire.

Why is my windshield wiper fluid not coming out?

This is a valid question but there are six common factors that may keep your windshield wiper fluid from coming out.

Common reasons include:

• No washing liquid
• Shifted or broken delivery hoses
• Clogged spray nozzles or tubes
• A blown fuse
• Damaged wires
• A faulty motor.

Read on to learn more about each issue and find a way to troubleshoot a windshield washer pump.

6 Reasons Your Windscreen Washer Is Not Working

Once your windshield is dusty or full of squished bugs, it's easy to clean it with one move. But if your wiper fluid is not spraying when you pull the switch, check for possible causes.

1. No washing liquid

Can you hear the pump working, but the washer solvent doesn't appear on your windscreen? The first cause to exclude is that the tank with the washing liquid is empty. The second reason is that the fluid just froze.

Once the liquid level is too low or the reservoir is empty, refill it. But if you see any residue or dirt on the bottom, first flush it away.

If your windshield washer is frozen, you’ll need to warm it. For this, start your car and stay in neutral mode until the fluid comes out.

If your windshield is relatively clean, you can start driving at once, and the liquid will unfreeze even faster. However, remember to add frost-resistant wiper fluid afterward.

2. Shifted or broken delivery hoses

When you hear the windscreen washer pump working, but the fluid doesn't spray from the nozzles, it can go elsewhere. Such a leakage happens when a pipe falls off the connection or cracks.

To check this, you'll need to park on a dry paved road and "wash" your windscreen for a few seconds. However, keep the air conditioner off during the test since it also causes water stains underneath your car.

Has the wet spot smelling like your washer liquid appeared under your vehicle? Then the hoses the washing mixture goes through are damaged or disconnected.

To find the problem, open the hood, and inspect the delivery pipes. Check how tight they're plugged into the T-valves under the jets and fittings that change hoses' directions.

3. Clogged spray nozzles or tubes

One of the common reasons for your washer solvent not to go out is clogged nozzles. However, if you can't hear the pump sound, check the sections below to find possible reasons.

A dirty washer jet might also be the cause once you have one windscreen washer not working. And to justify this assumption, you'll need to do the following. Actually, that's the answer to your "How can I unblock my windscreen washers?" question.

Open the hood and detach the delivery pipe from one nozzle. Now, turn on the washers, listen to the pump, and watch how the fluid flows from the hose.

In a moment, you must see the washing fluid. If it pops out from the disconnected tube, the washer jet you're checking is clogged. To clear it, insert an unbent paper clip or a pin into the nozzle holes and wiggle it.

The blockage is somewhere in the pipe if the flow is weak or completely missing. Use an air compressor to unclog the hose.

4. A blown fuse

A fuse is a small connector that protects your pump from excessive current. Once the voltage is too high, the metal strip inside the fuse melts (or blows), stopping the current flow.

Your windscreen wipers and washer pump share the same fuse, so if your pump is dead but the wipers work, it's not the faulty connector.

Otherwise, the windshield washer pump won't get electricity, and you won't hear it working. You'll have to replace the fuse.

For this, open the hood, explore the fuse diagram, and identify the washer conductor. Use a needle nose plier or a fuse puller to take it out.

Then look at the fuse against the light to check if the ribbon inside is broken. Once it is, buy the device of the same color (which means the same voltage) in an auto supply shop and plug it back in.

5. Damaged wires

Once the fuse is okay, the next thing to check is the wires of your pump. You may have to disconnect hoses from the nozzles to inspect the electrics carefully.

Check the cover of the wires and their insulation, the state of rubber tubes, silicone seals, terminal lug caps, and other details nearby. Sometimes rats and mice can "taste" all those elements and de-energize various components of your vehicle.

We will only recommend replacing the damaged wires and connectors with prior experience though you may find plenty of helpful videos. It's better to address professional mechanics.

6. A faulty motor

"How do I know my windscreen washer pump is bad?" you ask. Basically, once you exclude all the above causes and the motor still doesn't work, your pump is bad, and you'll need a new one.

But how do you test a windscreen washer pump? Check the above list of instructions or visit the car service to be 100% sure. When replacing the motor is inevitable, remember that doing it yourself might be challenging but bearable.

However, it can be hard to reach the pump as sometimes you'll have to take the front driver-side wheel off. As you get to the pump, you must twist its retainer clips upwards to disconnect them.

Make sure you place a bucket to collect the remaining fluid. Slightly move the motor upwards to release the bottom arm and let it drain. Once ready, remove the device.

Install the new motor to the wire harness until it clicks. Push it into the reservoir and slide it down so the bottom arm sits well and doesn't leak.

Connect the tubes, push down the retaining clips, and make sure they don't pop up — you're done.

Why Won't My Windshield Wiper Fluid Come Out?

Lack of washing fluid in the reservoir, a blown fuse, shifted pipes, and clogged nozzles are among those you can fix yourself.

However, addressing qualified specialists might be the best option if you have broken pipes, damaged wires, or a failed pump motor.