Car windows on different sides of the body must be clean. Dirt on the surface reduces visibility, especially in bad weather when road visibility is already low. A washer is a device that allows you to clean dirt from glass. Many drivers do not think about the importance of this element. But as soon as a situation arises when the windshield washer does not work, car owners panic. In such a situation, it is necessary to immediately resort to solving the problem. In this article we will look at the reasons why the device fails and whether it can be repaired yourself.
Washer: device and principle of operation
If all the internal parts of the washer function smoothly, then there should be no interruptions in operation.
The design of the device includes:
A tank with a volume of up to 5 liters, inside of which there is a liquid for flushing.
A pump that helps create pressure to supply cleaning fluid.
Pair of injectors.
A sensor showing the amount of liquid remaining.
In addition, the system includes a variety of tubes, hoses, and heating parts. If the liquid in the reservoir is filled to the required level, then there will be no problems with the washer. It is the lack of cleaning agent that most often causes drivers to worry. But this is not the only reason why the windshield washer pump does not work.
Let's look at the washer system itself. A pump in the form of a mini-motor creates pressure by supplying a special liquid through nozzles. The product is distributed over the surface using glass cleaners. Correctly positioned nozzles allow you to clean the glass quickly. The pump is turned on through a button located at the bottom of the steering wheel.
A car owner can have a car of any brand. The washer motor for all models operates according to the same circuit, even though its appearance may differ.
Causes of malfunctions
As already mentioned, the pump is designed to supply water under pressure. If it stops working, it means that the injectors or tank are broken. These items are repairable. But if it is the pump that is damaged, then you will have to resort to more serious measures.
There are situations when the engine continues to work, but the windshield wiper does not. This happens for the following reasons:
If the car owner pours unfiltered water into the tank rather than a special liquid, then over time the filter becomes clogged. In this situation, cleaning and rinsing is required.
Over time, all elements of the machine are subject to wear and tear, the same goes for supply hoses. They may lose their tightness or become leaky. Needs replacement.
Sometimes the driver repairs the washer system by disassembling it and reassembling it. If any nodes were assembled incorrectly, an error occurs. In this case, you need to check the assembly again and find any errors.
Situations arise when there is no connection between the pump and the shaft of the electric motor. The situation requires its restoration.
Problems with the motor. They occur rarely, but they do occur. The driver should clean the part and brushes from dirt and corrosion or completely replace the element.
Listed above are the main reasons why the windshield wiper does not work.
Reasons for refusal
The cleaning liquid may not be applied to the glass for several reasons. Let's look at each of them.
Lack of liquid. This is the most common reason. Forgetfulness of the car owner leads to the fact that the water in the tank runs out. The reservoir is located under the hood, but on some car models it has a different location. To solve the situation, you need to buy liquid and fill it.
Mechanical damage. Any damage leads to malfunctions in the system. The most common problems are a ruptured tube, a clogged hose, a leaky tank, and clogged nozzles. The situation requires replacement of parts.
Complex faults. In the electrical part, a fuse often blows, there is no contact at the pump connector, or the motor in it breaks down.
All of the above situations occur regularly. To these can be added the problem of liquid freezing in the tank. This happens in winter. You can solve the situation in a simple way - pour “anti-freeze” into the tank. The refrigerant has excellent resistance to low temperatures. If the water has already frozen, then you need to drive the car into a heated garage, wait until it melts, warm up the engine and drain the water.
If there are problems with the electrical circuits, you must first check the fuse. Finding the right element is quite simple. First, you should locate the fuse box and use the diagram of their location to check the correct one, and then replace it.
If the fault is not in the fuse, then you should check the voltage on the electric pump. If there is no voltage when checking with a voltmeter, it means the wiring has broken.
If the wiring is OK, then proceed to checking the motor. This failure rarely occurs. If the pump breaks while driving, you won’t be able to replace it right away. It's worth turning to professionals.
The main reasons for washer failure and repair methods
There are three main points that may prevent fluid from flowing to the windshield.
The washer may not function due to a simple lack of liquid in the tank
1 reason. Forgetfulness or negligence of the driver himself
The washer may not function due to a simple lack of liquid in the reservoir. This problem can be solved simply: buy glass liquid and pour it into the tank. In most cars it is located under the hood, where exactly it is better to check in the technical documentation for servicing the vehicle. Each car brand has its own design solutions.
“Anti-freeze” is resistant to low temperatures, but each has its own freezing threshold
In winter, the washer may not work due to freezing of the liquid in the reservoir. For the winter it is better to fill in “anti-freeze”. It is resistant to low temperatures. Fixing this problem is also easy. It is enough to drive the car into a warm room for several hours or warm up the engine to operating temperature. The heat from the motor will melt the water. It is best to pump it out of the tank and fill it with winter washer.
Reason 2. Mechanical damage in the glass cleaning system
The main factors may be:
- disconnection or rupture of the tube through which liquid flows to the sprayers;
- the hose on the way from the tank to the injectors is pinched by other body parts;
- the reservoir is leaking; there may be a crack in it and washer fluid leaks through it;
- clogged nozzles.
Replacing injectors can eliminate technical problems
Mechanical problems can be resolved by replacing the hoses, reservoir or injectors on the hood. You can try to clean the latter with a thin needle. This type of repair of the windshield cleaning system is within the power of every car enthusiast.
Reason 3. Electrical fault
Such problems can be called the most complex, but some can also be fixed with your own hands, without going to a car service station.
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Electrical failures can be as follows:
- system fuse has blown;
- poor contact on the connector of the pump that pumps liquid;
- failure of the electric motor in the pump.
Checking for faults in electrical circuits should begin with the fuse. According to the car's owner's manual, you need to find where the fuse box is located. On the back of the block there is a diagram of their location. Using it we find the required fuse, check it and, if necessary, replace it.
If everything is fine with the fuse and the washer does not work, go ahead and check the voltage at the electric pump connector. We disconnect the chip and use a voltmeter to check the presence of 12 volts when the washer button is on. The absence of voltage indicates that you need to look for a break in the wiring from the power button to the connector.
If after checking the wiring and contacts the washer does not work, then most likely the problem is in the motor itself. It should be replaced. The fluid supply pump fails rarely, but if it happens on the road, it will be difficult to carry out such repairs. In this situation, it is better to contact the nearest auto repair shop.
The washer works intermittently
Intermittent operation means that the pump is functioning, but the liquid is spraying randomly and in the wrong direction. This happens due to the following reasons:
The filter, nozzles or tubes are clogged.
The tubes have become disconnected from the injectors.
The pump fitting or connectors have been broken.
To figure out why the windshield washer does not work, you need to start looking for the problem. First you need to unfasten the tube and pay attention to the pressure. If the liquid flows in a stable stream, then it makes sense to examine the condition of the connectors and nozzles. If there is no “pressure”, then we proceed to checking the tank. The driver should run the washer and evaluate its operation. Problems with the fitting will be identified immediately.
If the problem is that the nozzles are clogged, you will have to clean it. First you need to remove the elements, freeing them from the latches. Using a thin screwdriver, release the injectors from the mechanism lining. As a result, the part is pulled out along with the tube. Cleaning is carried out by normal blowing, and dirt should be washed away from the jets. For better cleaning, you can soak the jets in special solutions with soap or soda.
Some useful tips
If your injectors are faulty, they need to be replaced. Typically, you can choose which ones you want to install. Fan-type nozzles have advantages. They are good because they completely wet the entire area of the windshield, therefore, the wipers will work with a bang.
If your rear window washer does not work, then most likely the reason is a fluid leak or a clogged hose. You can try to fix the problem using compressed air. To do this, disconnect the hose from the injector side, disconnect it from the electric motor and blow it out. Of course, if there is a leak, this will not help. Here you need to completely change the hose. As you can see, there are many reasons why the washer does not work, but due to the fact that the device itself is not very complicated, all of them can be found quite quickly.
The washer stopped working in winter
The washer may stop working not only in summer, but also in winter. The reasons will be similar. However, during the onset of cold weather, drivers forget that the liquid tends to freeze. Modern cars have reservoirs located far from the warm engine compartment. If water is mixed with coolant, the result will be porridge with ice. Also, do not dilute the special glass cleaning liquid.
If the water is frozen in the pipes, heating the nozzles is useless. In this situation, you will have to remove the tubes and defrost them separately.
If the washer has stopped working at the back and front, then finding the problem will not be difficult. Injector malfunctions can be resolved by replacing them with new ones. Experts advise using fan-type parts. If the tubes are deformed, it is worth connecting new “cords” to them. But it is best to prevent such problems from occurring. At positive temperatures, the driver should fill the tank with chlorinated water, and at sub-zero temperatures - refrigerant.
Replacement
If the old motor has failed, there is no point in trying to repair it somehow. To buy a new part, you will have to spend very little money. And the replacement procedure on most cars is extremely simple.
I will describe the main stages of work associated with replacing this element of the windshield cleaning system of any car.
- Turning off the vehicle's power. A safety measure without which further work makes no sense. Be sure to remove the negative terminal from the car. It's simple but important. Otherwise, you not only risk burning the wiring, but also getting an unpleasant electric shock yourself.
- Search for a motor. It all starts with identifying where your windshield wiper motor is located. It depends on your car. On some cars, just lift the hood and you will immediately see the washer reservoir. The motor itself is located on the reservoir (partially inside) of the windshield wiper, into which the liquid is poured. Do you see the tank? If yes, then you are in luck. If not, then you will have to look for it by removing elements of the engine compartment. On some car models, the tank is hidden so that the fender protection has to be removed.
- Disconnect the connectors with wires from the motor. Then remove the tank itself.
- The hose and fitting are separated from each other. Don't forget to drain the liquid. Filling a new one will not be difficult. Yes, and for prevention it won’t hurt to do it.
- Using a screwdriver, push the intake seal out of the bushing. This will allow you to completely remove the windshield washer motor.
- Don't forget to install a new bushing when reassembling. This often leads to the washer pump itself breaking down. So the old bushing goes to the landfill.
- Reassemble the assembly in reverse order. Here many craftsmen relax, because they consider the work done. In fact, reassembly causes more problems than disassembly. Advice from someone who made similar mistakes. That is, from me. Do not try to remember the location of parts unless you are confident in your memory capabilities. We got distracted by something, forgot, got confused. This happens to everyone, and there is nothing wrong with it. To ensure proper reassembly sequence, you can record, mark, or label the parts in the order in which they are removed. This will make it easier to put everything back together the way it was before.
The instructions are for informational purposes only, as the procedure may differ depending on the car model. Consult your machine's owner's manual for assistance. This is the best visual aid for self-repair.
There is nothing complicated in this work. Even the car owner who prefers to solve most problems with the help of a car service can easily cope with it. Repairs cost several hundred rubles and take a maximum of a few hours.
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Diagnostics
To figure out why the windshield washer motor, as well as other elements of the system, do not work, you need to carry out diagnostics. Every driver who decides to repair a car himself must know the design of the system. All identified faults can be divided into those that you can fix yourself, and those that cannot be repaired without the help of specialists.
First you need to make sure the motor is working properly. Open the hood and press the switch. If the pump does not work, then the problem lies in its power supply circuit or in itself. For further work you will need a multimeter. It is connected to the contacts and measurements begin. If power is present, then the circuit is good. The driver will have to replace the motor itself.
If the engine is working smoothly, start checking the injectors. These elements are responsible for spraying water. If fluid does not flow, it means the injectors are faulty. The driver has three tasks:
First you should check to see if the tube has slipped. If this happens, the liquid will not flow to the nozzles.
After this, you need to make sure that the tube is intact. If there are creases on it, you need to remove them. It is not recommended to turn on the motor with the tube bent, as it will burn out from the load.
Clogged injectors can block fluid flow. But in such a situation, clogging does not occur in all parts, but only in one or two. Needs cleaning.
Having dealt with the injectors, the driver can proceed to diagnosing the fuse. A multimeter showing zero voltage indicates a fault in the power circuit. The car owner must diagnose fuse F2. The fact is that it is responsible for the functioning of the washer circuit, as well as the windshield wipers.
And lastly, the switch is checked. It is he who turns on the power to the pump drive. When the switch is moved, the contact closes. It is possible to say that the switch is broken only when all other elements are working properly.
System diagnostics
To understand the reasons for the inoperability of the windshield washer on the VAZ 2107, you should first of all consider the design of the system. It consists of the following elements:
- Washer fluid reservoir.
- A pump with an electric motor, which operates from a 12V network.
- Nozzles or sprayers of a water jet that hits the windshield.
- PVC pipes connecting the above elements.
A special liquid is poured into the washer reservoir, one type in summer and another in winter. Winter liquid is called “anti-freeze”, with its help you can effectively wash windows at sub-zero air temperatures, and not worry about the fact that it may freeze in the system.
When the washer is turned on, liquid is sprayed onto the windshield with the simultaneous automatic activation of the wipers. If, when you turn on the device, there are no signs of its performance, then you can determine the cause of the breakdown yourself. The electrical diagram for connecting the washer on a VAZ 2107 is presented below, based on which you can sort out the malfunctions.
Connection diagram
Why does the windshield washer not work?
To determine why the windshield washer on the seven stopped working, it is necessary to carry out a thorough diagnosis. To help you carry out self-diagnosis, use the diagram shown in the photo above. Once a faulty element is detected, it will need to be repaired or replaced, depending on the nature of the failure. Malfunctions of the element in question can be divided into minor (you can fix it yourself) and serious, requiring replacement of the faulty part. Let's take a closer look at the main components of the system and their malfunctions.
The motor has failed
The first step is to check the proper operation of the washer motor. This is quite simple to do, just open the hood and press the steering column switch. The absence of signs of operation of the washer pump indicates that this element or its power circuit is faulty.
It’s not at all difficult to figure out the problem, but you will need a multimeter or a light bulb to do this. We connect the device to the contacts on the motor, and by turning on the steering column switch, we take measurements. The presence of 12V power (or if the light comes on) indicates that the circuit is working, and the reason lies in the inoperability of the motor itself. This part is not repairable, so you will need to buy a new element and replace it.
Injectors
The nozzles should be checked if the windshield washer motor is working properly and there is liquid in the reservoir, but it is not supplied to the windshield. The nozzles spray liquid and have a simple design. In this case, the lack of liquid supply to the glass can occur due to a malfunction of the nozzles, which is quite easy to identify:
- Check the connection of the tube from the motor to the injector. This tube may have come off, and therefore the liquid does not flow to the nozzle.
- Check the tube for kinks and kinks. If a bend is appropriate, the motor will not be able to straighten it, since it has rather low power. If the reason is a bend in the tube, then you cannot turn on the motor for a long time, as it may burn out under load.
- Clogged injectors. It is quite easy to determine such a defect, since if the injector holes become clogged, not all of them are clogged at the same time, so one of the two parts will function in case of such a malfunction.
If the nozzle hole is clogged, you can clean it with a thin sewing needle, thereby restoring the functionality of the system.
Fuse
If the multimeter shows zero voltage when you turn on the steering column switch, then the fault must be looked for in the power circuit. The first thing you need to do is check the fuse. It is responsible for the flow of permissible current in the circuit, the value of which should not exceed 8A. When the load increases or when the circuit short circuits, the fuse link burns out.
You will need to check the serviceability of fuse F2, which is responsible not only for the serviceability of the washer circuit, but also for the windshield wiper and headlight circuits. If the fuse has blown, it should be replaced, but before doing this, check the continuity of the circuit, since the reason for its blown may be a short circuit.
Understeering's shifter
One of the key elements of the system is the steering column switch, which supplies power to the washer pump drive. A switch is a contact that closes when you move it. It is possible to talk about a malfunction of this part only when all elements of the system have been checked and are in good working order.
Checking this part is quite simple; for this you will need a multimeter in test mode. You need to disconnect the terminal from the switch, and then connect the probes of the device. In the closed position of the switch, the device should emit a characteristic signal. If there is no signal, then the part must be replaced with a new one.
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Identifying a mechanism malfunction is quite simple if you approach the problem correctly. To do this, follow the instructions described above, which will ultimately allow you to independently find and eliminate the cause of the washer inoperability on the VAZ 2107.
Trouble-shooting
Most often, the driver is faced with the fact that the windshield washer nozzle and the motor do not work.
The problem with the injectors is easily solved. It is enough to clean or replace them. To clean, you need to remove the parts. After this, you need to prepare a cleaning vinegar solution. Distilled water and vinegar are mixed and then poured into the tank. After this, the driver presses the lever to force the solution to break down dirt from all internal areas. The cleaner is left in the system for several hours. As soon as the solution with dirt comes out of the nozzles, you need to rinse the hoses with water.
As for the motor, repairing it is a labor-intensive task. The easiest way to install a new part is as follows:
Drain the liquid from the reservoir.
Unfasten the contact connecting the pump and the battery.
If desired, disconnect the tank itself (if possible).
Remove the electric pump and free it from all hoses.
Connect a working pump and attach hoses to it.
Connect the battery.
Fill the reservoir with glass cleaning fluid.
It is very easy to make sure that the motor is installed correctly. You need to press the switch. A buzzing sound will indicate that the pump is working properly.
Errors when using the washer system
The windshield washer system seems to be the simplest system in the world. You press the lever, liquid flows. But sometimes it doesn't flow because there is a problem. And most often there is a fair amount of the driver’s fault that the system does not work.
One of the most common mistakes made by motorists is pouring water into the fluid reservoir. Sometimes this makes sense, especially in emergency situations. If, when the level of washer fluid is low, it is not possible to purchase it, and the glass is dirty, then you can add water. The best solution would be to add distilled water. But if you pour regular tap water often and without moderate doses, the sprinklers can become completely clogged. How and why? Because of the stone. Thus, you can break the pump and washer nozzles with your own hands. It is worth remembering: if you add water, it should not contain iron and minerals.
You should not experiment with other liquids not intended for spraying glass. We are talking about denatured alcohol, solvents, dishwashing liquids and even food grade alcohols, which some people pour into the reservoir in desperation.
It is also unacceptable to run the washer pump dry, and unfortunately, some people don't care if there is no fluid. The pump does not tolerate running dry. It is designed to pump liquid, not air.
A very common mistake is to ignore the onset of winter. Many people have experienced freezing of liquid in the tank and hoses. Unfortunately, the washer system doesn’t like this either. Particularly vulnerable are rigid parts that cannot expand or stretch. If the injectors or hoses under the hood freeze, it is usually enough to start the engine and wait a few minutes for its heat to warm up the frozen parts, and then pour in as much winter fluid as possible. But if severe frosts have set in, and there is a lot of liquid in the tank and it has frozen, then there is a solution. You need to put the car in a heated garage or heat individual elements. Do not use hot water to defrost as this may cause serious damage.
Injectors don't like dirt. They are quite small in size, so they can become clogged if there are impurities or sand in the tank. Then it is best to blow them out with compressed air. Do not pick the attachments with a pin. The nozzles can also become warped and spray into the wrong part of the glass. This happens if too much water is directed at them when cleaning them with a pressure washer. If the nozzle is clogged, you can try to clean it with something elastic but soft - for example, a piece of thick fishing line or bristles torn from a brush. When they fail, they need to be thrown away. It is best to use wire, but not too sharp. Therefore, a pin or needle is not suitable. It's better to find a piece of copper wire or a thin hex key.
It may also be that the injectors are simply damaged, especially in older cars. Replacing them is not particularly difficult; you can do it yourself in half an hour. New attachments usually cost from 200 rubles per pair, in some cases their price can reach several hundred rubles.
Mechanism
The mechanism, as mentioned above, consists of several elements. Let's take a closer look at each of the elements:
Tank
The washer reservoir is attached to the left side of the car in the engine compartment. Made of translucent plastic. Quite often, this element fails because it bursts at the attachment points and begins to leak liquid.
- The volume of the washer reservoir is 2.5 liters.
- Cost from 200 to 500 rubles.
Motor (pump)
The pump is an electric motor with an impeller that pumps water into the main line. In Priors with hatchback and station wagon bodies, two motors are installed, for the front and rear window washers. The most frequently damaged element.
- The cost is up to 150 rubles for a Chinese pump, and up to 300 rubles for a Russian one.
Highway
The line consists of tubes going from the motor to the injectors. It happens that over time the tubes burst and the glass cleaning liquid does not reach the nozzle and is lost somewhere in the engine compartment.
- Cost up to 100 rubles
Injectors
The nozzles are installed on the hood of the car and spray liquid onto the windshield.
- Cost up to 100 rubles per pair.
Let's sum it up
If the washer stops working, the driver should find the cause of the problem and quickly eliminate it. Problems appear in different parts of the system. This may be a simple lack of fluid in the tank, or there may be a problem in the power circuit. To find out the exact cause, you will have to carry out diagnostics (either on your own or with the help of specialists). Most often, car enthusiasts deal with problems with their own hands. But if the problem suddenly takes you by surprise while driving, then you should stop by the nearest service station and ask for help there. In any case, global problems will lead to failure of other parts of the system.
