You’re driving down the road when someone passes you, kicking mud and dirt onto your windshield. You turn on the windshield wipers, and, even though the arms swing across the windshield, all they do is smear the debris all over. The fluid isn’t coming out, at least not on one side.
There are five reasons why this could be happening. Some are easy to fix, and some are more involved. Remember, if the problem isn’t obvious or if you feel like the job is too big for you, bring your car, truck, or SUV to your trusted mechanic and ask them to take a look at it.
1. You’re Out of Fluid
Being low or completely out of fluid means you’re in luck, as the solution is easy: just add some. By checking the amount of fluid in the washer pump reservoir, you can see if the volume is low. Your mechanic should be doing this for you whenever you bring your vehicle in for its regular maintenance.
Believe it or not, this is a common problem. The average water pump reservoir holds around one gallon of wiper fluid, and many people forget to refill it. If it’s low or gone, fluid may not come out on one side, come out with low pressure, or it may not come out at all.
2. Clogged Nozzles
Clogged nozzles can result in fluid not coming out of one or both sides. If the nozzles are clogged, the pump cannot push fluid from the reservoir out of the nozzles. The culprit is usually dirt or debris on the nozzle.
However, though this sounds like an easy fix, it’s a bit tricky. There are two common ways to do it: an air compressor or a nozzle needle.
With a can of compressed air, you can spray the pressurized air into the nozzles, dislodging the debris. This usually works fine, and the driver may not even have to take the vehicle to a mechanic. If the nozzle is severely clogged, this may not work, however.
The other way to clear out a clog is by using a nozzle needle or even a sewing needle. It has to be tiny and sharp. Its sharpness will break away clogs, while a tiny needle will allow it to slip into the nozzle without causing more damage.
3. Damaged Fluid Feed Tubes or Connectors
To understand this one, It could be wise to know how the windshield washer pump works. The pump pushes wiper fluid from the reservoir to the wiper nozzles with enough pressure to cause it to spray over the windshield. How does it get from the reservoir to the nozzles? Utilizing feed tubes, sometimes called connectors.
The symptoms of this are the same as clogged nozzles, so if clearing the nozzles does nothing, it could be that the clog is further down in the feed tubes.
The best fix is to see a mechanic. Unless you know how to unhook the feed tubes and clean or replace them, you’ll want a professional to make the job quick and easy.
4. A Blown Fuse in the Washer Pump
Like many car parts, the washer pump uses a fuse to start moving water out of the reservoir. The pump motor itself can fail, or a fuse can be blown, causing it to not pump at all.
A surge in electrical power can blow the fuse, resulting in wiper fluid either not coming out at all or only on one side. For most people, this fix is beyond a DIY, as you need to be able to test the circuits and locate the fuses, so it’s best to bring your vehicle to a mechanic.
5. A Failing Washer Pump
Sometimes it’s not a fuse or a clog but the washer pump itself or its motor that’s failing and needs to be replaced. If this is the case, the fluid coming out may be uneven or sporadic as the motor cannot generate the pressure needed to move fluid out of the nozzles.
Luckily, replacing the motor or entire washer pump is relatively cheap, although it’s not a DIY project. Your mechanic will still not charge very much for this operation, however. It’s best to address this problem early, as it poses a safety hazard.
Keeping Your Windshield Wipers Working Keeps You Safe
Driving in low visibility, whether caused by weather conditions or a dirty windshield, is a safety hazard for you and those you share the road with. To keep problems at bay, it’s best to ask your mechanic to look over the fluid and nozzles when you bring your vehicle in for regular maintenance.