I had my WSW motor restored with new washer pumps several years ago but I never used the washers until now and noticed they’re not working. I’ve read that the pumps have to be primed to work so I primed the system with fluid coming out of the nozzles but they still don’t work. When I push the washer button the pump clicks but it doesn’t run. Any idea how to further troubleshoot this?

Mike

 

Think I figured it out. I just watched a video on YouTube on how these pumps work. I did not realize that the pump is actually driven by the spinning wiper motor. I had stopped the wiper motor in the middle of the windshield with the override switch so the dry wipers weren’t just dragging across the windshield as I worked on the wiper system and primed and tested the washer. I’m pretty sure now when I let the wipers run and try the washer it will work.

 

Another reason I use rain x. . even in heavy Florida rain I rarely use wipers on any of my cars. I will admit it is extremely rare that. My corvette ever sees rain.

 

Rain X is a great product but the need to be re-applied often kind of makes it a lot of work for some. I used it on every vehicle we have had.

I went to college in south western Florida and those daily afternoon downpours exceeded the abilities of the wiper system very quickly. The Rain X was made for those times. You couldn't see 5 feet in front of you it rained so hard. The last time I was in Melbourne, FL I was driving to the barrier island and the rain forced traffic to come to a dead stop to wait it out.

When the windshield has a shallow angle to it you get the best out of the Rain X, like the windshield of a C4 I have. You very rarely need to use the wipers with a good coating of Rain X.

As I have become older I now clean the windshield with Invisible Glass, glass cleaner. Keep the windshield very clean and using good quality windshield wipers the windshield is Clear and Clean and easy to maintain.

I always loved my 1971 VW Bug's windshield washer as it simply used the pressure from your spare tire every time you used it. You learn to conserve that feature real fast or you have a flat spare. German Ingenuity at it's best.

 

Ok so unfortunately after trying the washer with the wipers running they still don’t work. I can hear the pump working for 5-6 seconds after pushing the washer button but still getting nothing out of the nozzles. As I mentioned previously I already primed the system with fluid all the way to the nozzles so it’s not that. Any other suggestions for how to troubleshoot this?

 

Worked at a service station in the late 60's and these pumps not working were a constant problem even when new.I believe we use to replace the rubber diaphragm.They were a very poor design.

 

Remove the 4 screws holding the plastic pump head and check the rubber valves for any debris. When you reassemble use a very small amount of grease on the rubber seal and valves. Make sure the pickup screen in the washer bottle is clean.

 

It probably doesn't solve your problem, but in a 69 if you hold the button a certain length in time it switches to the headlight washers and not the windshield. Perhaps it's being redirected to the lights? Good luck and take care.

 

Ok so I took the top of the pump head off as suggested and it was spotless in there as is the pickup screen. I realize the wiper has to be running for the wiper washer to work, but does the engine have to be running? Not sure if vacuum is required for this system to function aside from opening the wiper door.

 

No, the pump does not require the engine to run but the key has to be in the accessory position if the engine isn't running. I also suggested on reassembly to put some grease on the rubber components, did you ?

 

Check the spray nozzles to make sure they are clear as well.

 

No I will take it apart again and put some grease on them. What kind of grease? I don’t want to ruin the seals.

the nozzles are clear. When I primed the system I got fluid out of all of them.

 

Curious, does the fluid dispense from the wiper or somewhere else?

 

Hello,
Very early cars (68 until ?) had the nozzles mounted in the cowl grill. Rubber hoses ran to them.
By 70 (maybe 69) there were long copper tubes with a nozzle attached to the wiper arms by solder/rivits and tiny plastic clips. Hoses ran from the pump to the tubes.
Don't know how long this method remained in production.
Regards....

 

Have you checked to see the rubber pickup hose and reservoir filter are clean? On my 73 there is a plastic dust cover on the wiper motor than can be easily removed. You can then observe the cam turning when the washer pump is running.

 

Was wondering what the heck those were. How does the fluid escape the copper tube? They are pinched at the end.

 

There is a small hole. Start at the pump head and remove one of the small hoses that run to the arm and see if water squirts out when you activate the wipers. Wet the windshield first to prevent scratches on a dry windshield.