Windshield washer

[John Fearnow]

On trip this week I depressed the windshield washer button to try and get rid of some of the dead bugs accumulated driving I-8 in the Yuma and El Centro area.  The blades wiped but no fluid was applied and I didn't hear the normal sound I assume is the pump.  I expect I have to find the pump and determine if it has power but I thought I would try to jump start the process and ask if anyone has already dealt with this problem on a 2002 Patriot-Thunder or similar chassis? I don't see the pump in the relay bay where the fluid reservoir is located so I guess it is behind the front cap somewhere?  Are there any in-line fuses hidden in some unexpected locale?  Thanks for any advice.

John Fearnow
2002 Patriot-Thunder

[Edward Buker]

John,

I thought mine was in the electrical bay. If I remember I will check tomorrow.

Later Ed

[Jim Nichols]

The pump is part of the reservoir on the bottom.  Follow the tubing leading into the tank.

[Steve Huber]

It should be a standard pump available at Auto Zone, etc. if you need one.
Steve

[Edward Buker]

John,

My reservoir is a sizable white plastic container on the bottom left of the electrical bay under the drivers seat. Not sure where they put yours but the bay is a logical choice for filling and maintenance.

later Ed

[John Fearnow]

I looked at the reservoir when the problem first developed but didn't see any pump at the bottom.  I'll look again and if it isn't there as Jim said, follow the fluid tube on its way to the wipers.  Thanks

John

[Edward Buker]

John,

My assumption is that the pump is in the bay or the tank given you would not want to have to pull liquid too far by vacuum to get to the pump but I really did not do a search for the pump. It cannot be too far away from the tank. That being said, between the two of us, you are tall and thin and I am shorter and heavier so you fit better behind the front cap if the search does lead you there :-)

Later Ed

[Karl Welhart]

John,

The pump located on the lower right back side of the reservoir.  You will have to unscrew the bolts that hold the tank to the bulkhead.  The follow the wires and hose to the pump.  BTW, this pump is very small.

Good luck,

Karl

[John Fearnow]

Found the pump as advised tucked into the back of the fluid reservoir at the bottom.  Not sure how I missed the wires going down behind the reservoir when I first looked there but I did.  However, it now appears the pump is not the problem.  There is no voltage across the pump wires when I push down the switch.  Both wires go from the pump/reservoir through the front bulkhead of the electrical bay to places unknown to me.  The bus bar in the bay has two wires connected to a position labelled "windshield wipers" on the schematic on the door.  I accessed the underside of the panel under the driver side window and observed that the washer/wiper control knob enters a module with six wires coming out of it. Obviously the wires that activate the wipers as well as the pump when the knob is depressed.  My guess is that the part of the switch unit that activates the pump is bad but I'm not sure how to verify that.  The remainder of the unit still works because the wipers operate.  Any advice on how to proceed?  Try and find a new switch unit?  Electrical issues are not exactly in my wheelhouse as you may have concluded already.

Thanks and Happy Easter,
John F
2002 P-T, c-12.

[Edward Buker]

John,

If you can sort out which wires coming out of the module run the pump you could test there at the module if voltage is coming out or if you are losing it in the switch. You could also run a temporary ground to the pump from the ground buss in the bay and see if you press the button if it works. You may be activating the + but the ground may be broken. If you have an open position for a console or dash switch or a dash switch that you could add or use you could bypass the current module and just have a momentary rocker like the one for the battery bank linking on the side console to run the pump. BCS should have those.

Later Ed