The windshield washer on my '70 t-top does not pump any water. The previous owner of 35 years probably never used it. I will probably never use it but was wondering if this is common from not being used and if it is a simple enough fix?

 

Could be several things. The motor itself could be corroded solid. The ground to the motor may be bad. The switch may be bad. The trigger wire may have a break in it.

I would suggest testing the pump motor with a separate hot and ground wire. If it spins and pumps then you know your problem is upstream and I would check at the wires in the dash. Try to get a signal to the motor from there. If it works then your problem is your switch. If not, then track down your wiring and see if it's a ground or a break.

 

I just changed out the ww pump in my "75 Roadster. It cost $15.00 at Autozone (pretty typicle G.M. piece). My washer is in the driver side inner fender well. I had to pull the master cylinder off of the brake booster and it was a 1/4 in nut driver for 2 screws and it came out in my hand. I'ts a 10 minute removal and replace of the pump. Put it back in and re-attach the brakes and it's over.

 

I don't know about not using them, but if the motor works, the pump is pretty straight forward to fix. More difficult may be getting parts. There are a bunch of little valves in there to replace. Before you buy parts, make sure the lines aren't clogged and are hooked up. You may also need to prime the pump and lines after all that time.

These pumps (IMO) were not the best design. While they worked, they were overly complex compared to more modern electric designs. I disconnected my headlight washers years ago so that the windshield sprayers would have more power. About two years ago, I broke down and bought an electric motor version ($10) and am in the process of hooking it up.


Good luck -

 

I had to rebuild mine for state inspection a few years ago. The pump seals had dried out. I was able to buy a rebuild kit from Pep Boys. As a rule, I don't think the winshield washer is used very often. I know I had never used it until the inspection tech asked to see it work. Now that it is working, they haven't checked it since.

 

Thanks Guys

 

hmmm....that reminds me, mine has never worked. I don't miss it either

 

Since these washer are mechanical when they're working their pretty noisy. If you cant hear it when the button is pushed, then check to see if you have power going to the pump. If no power, then check the fuse. If that is ok I would check the switch on the dash (pretty easy to get to). If you can hear the pump then you have bad seals in the pump or clogged/disconnected lines from the washer fluid resivoir.

 

If the bellows in the washer pump is bad, you should still hear it engage when you push in the wiper switch.

The yellow wire that runs to the washer pump is the same wire that feeds power to the wiper motor and is hot at all times!

The dark blue wire running to the washer pump is the ground wire. This wire runs direct and only to the wiper switch. The pump (yellow wire) is hot all the times, and the washer ground is only activated when the dark blue wire is grounded by the wiper switch in the dash.

If you are going to check this, test the yellow wire to the pump for 12v, then verify the dark blue wire is grounding when you hit the washer mode on the wiper switch. If you have 12 volts on the yellow wire, run a ground from the engine to the blue wire connection. The pump should run. If not, you have a pump issue.

If you hit the washer button and you do hear a click/clunk sound over and over, then the washer pump is working. You should then replace the bellows kit which is readily available and are not hard to install.

If the pump is working and you have no water coming out, then you might try this before taking it apart. Prime the bellows! You can do this by removing feed hose and with a mouth full of water blow it in to the hose. This will force water in to the bellows and maybe solve the problem. Make sure you do not have any blockage in any hose too!

See the schematic at this link, it might help you.

http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24026


Good Luck,

Willcox Inc.

 

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! A text book of information. I hear a click when I push the button so I think the pump actually works. I will prime it and see if that works. chances are the bellows would be shot and it will not hold a prime any way. thanks for the information. Man you gotta love this forum. Its like having a neighborhood full of corvette guys and gals.