Windshield Washers at Elevation

[texasgreazer]

anecdotal at best, but the week of New Years, I was in CO (from TX). 2020 Ford Explorer Got washer fluid rated for -20 and filled it up from empty in Co Springs. Used it to clean the windshield when I filled it then headed to Breckenridge. By the time I got to Hoosier Pass, they wouldn't work. I assumed frozen nozzles/lines, but wasn't sure how with fluid rated for -20. We didn't drive much while there, and they work on the way home, but I didn't really observe "when" they started working again.

I thought it was odd since I couldn't hear the pump trying to work (as if it was trying to pump against a froze nozzle). Strange also, the rear washer never quit.

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[orion]

Do our lines have one way valves that could be the issue? I encountered this while heading to Colorado Springs through Leadville, Beaune Vista area from the western slope. Hmm...

 

[BigHoof]

Flip may be onto something. Next time instead of adding fluid to get it going, try just opening the lid.

 

[JediMcMuffin]

I did not get a chance to try Flip's suggestion, but did experience the issue again. This time climbed to ~4200 feet, it was over 50 degrees out. The vehicle then sat for 12 hours or so and fired up the next morning to head up to the mountain for snow sledding and they started working again.

Maddening I tell you

 

[buzzcutt2]

I'm in Florida...so no elevation or freezing, if I don't use it for a while it takes quite some time before any water comes out. I can hear the motor and there is plenty of fluid but I press the button 4/5 times for 5-10 seconds each time before water comes out. It will then continue to work for some period of time, I haven't really figured that out - if/when I ever get into the dealer I'll have them take a look.

 

[orion]

This just happened to me again today. Hit a mud puddle at roughly 9,000' elevation and got some spray on the window. Washer pumped but nothing coming out. Later in the day at roughly 7,600' they were working again. Frustrating to say the least. Anyone got a solution yet?

 

[HighVelocity]

Add a shot of vodka to your washer fluid.

 

[dgorsett]

Maybe the reservoir is acting like a barometer. At resting elevation air pressure pushes down on fluid, keeping intake line full. When traveling up elevation pressure lessens raising fluid level creating vacuum at pump inlet. After parking or adding fluid pressure stabilizes or rises filling pump intake. But why don't other cars do this?? Peculiar Bronco design??

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