Windshield Washer Problem

[TomO]

Hello -- I have an '89 Grand Marquis and the windshield washer won't squirt. I can hear the pump motor running when I try to activate the washer, but no fluid comes out. I removed the line from the nozzle and blew through it several times, and each time I could see bubbles in the tank. I also cleaned out the nozzle and blew fluid threw that. I also tried activating the washer with the hose disconnected from the nozzle -- again, no fluid. This tells me that the hose and the nozzle are clear, and that the motor is turning. My only conclusion is that the pump impeller is broken or is disconnected from the motor.

All I really want is a cheap, easy fix. Is there such a thing as a replacement tank and pump that you can put somewhere close to the original tank and just plug the electrical line into that, rather than pulling out and replacing the original tank (which also includes an integral radiator expansion tank)?

Any info and/or input as to how to fix this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[85crownHPP]

You can get replacement pumps, and Im pretty sure they are easy to swap in.

[TomO]

I actually tried to get the pump out of the tank but it wouldn't budge. It looks like it's permanently sealed or somehow glued in there or something. I just couldn't get it out. Maybe I just didn't know how to remove the pump, but I sure tried everything I could think of.

Anybody actually removed a pump from the tank before? How do you do it?

[85crownHPP]

Ive actually never done it, but i seem to remember someone figuring it out.
Many here have just replaced the whole shebang with upgraded versions... something to chew on if you have a good cheap u-pull near you.

the coolant bottle is from a 1990 towncar, the washer bottle can be found in any mid 90's panther. Both were a direct swap-in for me.
Of course, then you may have to change your air intake too, if you want easy access to fill the bottle. I had planned to use wing-bolts on the air inlet for quicker removal before i decided to use the '90 towncar intake as well.

Your car will have a bunch of relays in the way of this different washer tank, so to answer your original question before I went overboard - im sure there are plenty of aftermarket design washer systems you could run in series with the old tank. Finding somewhere to put it would be the hard part...
If you could find just a small pump motor with a hose inlet and outlet, you'd be set!

[eaglegcil]

unplug the harness, and pull upwards onthe pump while kinda wiggleing or turning side to side at the same time, and it will dislodge from the tank.

[gabegt90]

you can take the pump out there is a snap ring that holds the old pump in
I got a anco new washer pump for around 15 bucks will worth to replace it I'm kind of anal about stuff like that. also I would glue the hose to the bottle the hose can come off from time to time leaking all the washer fluid out it's not fun getting back in there lol

[86VickyLX]

you can take the pump out there is a snap ring that holds the old pump in
I got a anco new washer pump for around 15 bucks will worth to replace it I'm kind of anal about stuff like that. also I would glue the hose to the bottle the hose can come off from time to time leaking all the washer fluid out it's not fun getting back in there lol

Only if your reservoir is bolted down

[Glen]

You can get a replacement pump at any parts store, $15 - 20. You just have to find a place to put it. They have a in and out port, two screws, and 2 wires. Just jump into your old wires and hose and your set. I get them at Truck Pro ($17.95) when they go bad in the big trucks.

[TomO]

Hey guys -- thanks for all the input. I'm going to try to get that washer going this weekend. Sure will be nice having a working windshield washer!

[TomO]

Thanks to everyone for your kind comments and input.

I thought I would mention that I successfully fixed the problem. I learned that it's REALLY a lot easier to work on cars under dry, warm, and well-lit conditions as opposed to dark, freezing and wet conditions.

Anyhow, as Gadget said, there's a ring that holds the pump in a recess molded into the side of the tank. The ring looks sort of like a giant lock washer -- the type with a bunch of teeth that stick outwards. So, you have to remove the tank to get access to this lock ring. You pull the lock ring out with needle nose pliers or a small screwdriver, then you can easily pull the pump out with a pair of pliers.

I bought a new pump at NAPA. I think it was about $16. It came with a new impeller already mounted and it came with a new lock ring and instructions. Pretty nice deal, I think.

The problem turned out to be the impeller on my old pump. The best way to describe it is that it was like the husk of an old insect a long time after a spider had sucked all the insides out. I know that's a weird description, but it's a small plastic part and it was all dried up and brittle and thin and cracked and it had basically no substance left to it. Needless to say, although the pump motor still worked, the shaft was no longer connected to the impeller. So, the shaft was just spinning without pumping anything.

Anyhow -- turns out it's a lot easier to fix than I ever imagined.