Hi,

1997 F150 XLT, 4.6L. I am troubleshooting my windshield washers and was wondering if anyone has any ideas.

If I push in the stalk to get the washers to spray, sometimes they do, sometimes they don't! There is fluid in the tank, there are no visible leaks in the line. What's interesting is that when I push in the stalk, the wipers always swipe - but sometimes the fluid just doesn't spray. So, I would think either I got issues with the washer fluid motor, or I got issues with the switch.

I was wondering - if the wipers move, can I rule out the switch? I guess what I am saying is - are the wipers and the motor connected on the same switch? If so, then I guess I am going to focus on the motor.

If I do focus on the motor, is there a potential electrical problem (such as, is there a separate fuse just for the motor, separate wiring, etc.), or am I going to need to replace the motor? Is replacing the motor difficult?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

The contacts on the washer spray switch can corrode after a few years. Pop the cap off the end of the lever, remove the phillips head screw and take out the switch. Once it's out, clean it with brakeleen and a Q-Tip. Should work fine after that.

 

Have someone in the truck working the wipers while you're under the hood. Can you hear the pump motor working? If it is, you may have clogged lines. If it's not, use a volt meter on the electrical connection at the pump. If you get voltage - it would mean your pump is bad. If not, reconnect and go back to switch and check for voltage there. good luck
steve

 

Thanks for the quick replies! I will try it and see what I find!

 

I had exactly the same problem and had to fix the switch as described by AJ.
Mine was not corrosion, just that the electrical contact had lost its spring tension over the years.
Just bend the tabs of the contacts forward by about 1/16" and it will probably be fine.