Windshield washers won't

[RockyMtn]

Morning all,
Since day 1 the windshield washers would sometimes not spray if the truck sat for a week or more.
Replaced pump under warranty. Started doing it again.
Seems odd that a second replacement pump would be needed.
You can hear pump come on, but takes a bit for juice to come out. Meanwhile wiper is happily running back and forth across a dry but dirty windshield.
Me thinks something more is going on here. I've never had a vehicle before that loses its prime.
Anyone else with same problem?

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[adam1991]

In theory, the line should be primed all the way up to the hood and when the pump starts the squirters go right away. That you hear the pump but it takes awhile for fluid to come out, tells me the lines are draining back over time. What keeps that pressure up, that is now failing? Seals on the pump itself? Anyone?

 

[BroncoChallenger]

IIRC the pump should have a check valve in it. If not there is one somewhere in the line that should prevent it from flowing back. These sometimes go bad, especially since they're generally plastic anymore.

I would also be checking for a cracked line - there should be somewhere that it will have a visible 'dry wet spot' under/along the line. It may be difficult to see the entire length of it.

 

[WarthogJr]

My ‘21 has done that since day 1. If I hold the button down long enough, fluid comes out.

 

[KillerPenz]

My son has a 2024 that has done this since he bought it back in September. But it doesn't do it every time. More often when he pushes to wash it works, but probably once every 2 weeks, it won't spray at all. Has to go back to it a minute or two later and it usually sprays.

He's finally due for his first oil change, will have the dealer check it out when it goes in.

 

[BROCK-O]

Same has happened to mine since bought new in 2021. Sounds like a common issue and poor design. I don't trust dealerships so I have just dealt with the delayed priming. At some point I'll gather the energy to investigate the nuisance.

 

[buzzcutt2]

There is a thread around here somewhere...try popping open the lid on the washer fluid and see if it works. I drilled a tiny hole in the lid and haven't had the issue since.

 

[RockyMtn]

Update,
Tech at local dealership who originally replaced 1st pump under warranty couldn't find anything wrong yesterday.
Various advisers believe it may be a normal thing.
Tech and I don't agree with that. He is raising the problem with Ford. Likely wont go far (no fault of his).
Maybe it would gain some traction if the washer reservoir falls off and potentially causes an accident like the oil reservoir on my rear shocks lol..
Safe travels everyone !

 

[WillStewart_24OBX]

I just noticed this problem on my 24 OBX. I've had it a couple of months and the other day hit the washer button and no washer fluid came out. Could hear the pump running so assumed I was out of fluid. Topped off fluid, but only a small amount would go it. Hit the washer button again and this time full spray onto the windshield after a few seconds. Yesterday hit it first thing after cranking up and it worked. Heading to lunch after sitting in parking lot a few hours and hit it and no fluid, but pump running. Held the button and after 20 seconds or so fluid started spraying onto windshield. This morning it worked so will try again today at lunch to see if there is a pattern.

Has anyone had luck in a long term fix with the dealer? Don't want to bring it in for warranty repair for this without having something of an idea for what is needed to actually fix it or they will take days and end up saying "couldn't replicate problem" and hand it back to me.

Don't know it it matters, but mine is a soft top so the rear window washer is capped off in the back and not used so I only have front camera and windshield spray active.

 

[Sparkie]

The washer pump and spray are working fine on my Bronco.
However, this was a problem for my old Mazda hatchback as it aged. Just like @BroncoChallenger and @adam1991 mentioned, it's probably a hose issue, not a pump or design problem.
@RockyMtn , closely inspect the whole length of your hoses and especially at connectors. Be mindful that you probably will not find any puddles. If the connector has even the smallest of a crack or hose is not seated properly, then air will slowly creep into your line.

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