For a small investment in your time, some WD40, and some light oil, along with the aid of a small phillips screwdriver, you too can bring your washer motor back to life. The motor drives a simple gear-type pump and much of the time a failure is due to inadequate lubrication, causing everything to seize up.
How to fix:
Disconnect wires from the motor, pull the fluid container and motor out of the car, and disconnect the motor and brace assembly from the container. Disconnect the motor from the brace by unscrewing the four small screws. The impeller shaft will now be exposed and will be very difficult to turn by hand. Liberally use the WD-40 at the base of the shaft until it turns freely. Lubricate the gears of the pump mechanism. Carefully reassemble everything, tightening the small screws and nuts well.
Note the small plastic plug at the back end of the motor. Pry it loose and fill the gap with some very light oil or WD-40, thus keeping the armature lubricated. Reconnect the wires and you will find that the pump spritzes like it used to, and you have saved anywhere from $11 to $55.
Author: Steve Mercurio
I came across your blog via a Google search.
I have a 2003 BMW. The “Washer Fluid Low” light started coming on whenever I started the car but the reservoir was full. Then the fluid stream started to fade slowly to the point where it won’t pump out any fluid now at all. I could hear the pump but I replaced it with a new one anyway. No change. I took a compressor and blew out the lines — seemed clear. I checked the filter in the tank — clear as a bell. I filled the tank, turned on the key and tried the washer. Nothing. Thought it might just need priming so kept trying if fairly steadily over the next half hour. All I could get was a little foam oozing out of the washer heads — the same as before.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
I came across your blog via a Google search.
I have a 2003 BMW. The “Washer Fluid Low” light started coming on whenever I started the car but the reservoir was full. Then the fluid stream started to fade slowly to the point where it won’t pump out any fluid now at all. I could hear the pump but I replaced it with a new one anyway. No change. I took a compressor and blew out the lines — seemed clear. I checked the filter in the tank — clear as a bell. I filled the tank, turned on the key and tried the washer. Nothing. Thought it might just need priming so kept trying if fairly steadily over the next half hour. All I could get was a little foam oozing out of the washer heads — the same as before.
Any ideas?
Thanks.
It sounds as if you’ve either checked, cleaned, or replaced just about everything but the electrical. It’s the first thing that comes to mind since you mention the indicator light coming on. So it could be that the compressor isn’t getting enough juice. Another thing you can check are the fluid lines. Although they might be clear, there might be a hole which would reduce the pressure. Let me know what you find out. Thanks.
It sounds as if you’ve either checked, cleaned, or replaced just about everything but the electrical. It’s the first thing that comes to mind since you mention the indicator light coming on. So it could be that the compressor isn’t getting enough juice. Another thing you can check are the fluid lines. Although they might be clear, there might be a hole which would reduce the pressure. Let me know what you find out. Thanks.
I have a Bmw 2002 and i was wondering how to put the assembly back together. We took the whole thing apart and we were wondering how to.. Our car is a 1975 Bmw 2002 auto.
I have a Bmw 2002 and i was wondering how to put the assembly back together. We took the whole thing apart and we were wondering how to.. Our car is a 1975 Bmw 2002 auto.
Hi Jeffrey – I don’t have a diagram of the windshield washer assembly. I’d recommend trying this book — BMW 1602 and 2002, 1959-77. Although it is one of the better books, I can;t guarantee it has a diagram in it. Good luck!
Hi Jeffrey – I don’t have a diagram of the windshield washer assembly. I’d recommend trying this book — BMW 1602 and 2002, 1959-77. Although it is one of the better books, I can;t guarantee it has a diagram in it. Good luck!