3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994) Learn more about the 3rd Generation Maxima here.

Windshield washer fluid pump not working-electrical?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-10-2007, 12:25 PM
  #1  
Baby's on the Half Tip!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
hoyshnin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 407
Windshield washer fluid pump not working-electrical?

My wipers work fine, but the washer fluid won't spray. I looked underneath the splash guard at the bottom of the washer fluid reservoir and the pump doesn't do anything when the washer fluid lever is pulled. I do hear a clicking from the relay box (I think that's what it is) next to the battery every time the lever is pulled, though. Does this mean I have an electrical connection problem, or maybe a fried pump? Anyone ever experienced this or have any advice?
hoyshnin is offline  
Old 03-10-2007, 03:19 PM
  #2  
¯\(°_o)/¯
iTrader: (43)
 
Greeny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Tunasea
Posts: 64,424
My guess would be the pump is toasty-roasty..
Greeny is offline  
Old 03-10-2007, 05:53 PM
  #3  
Call me Wookiee Goldberg
iTrader: (8)
 
CapedCadaver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central NC
Posts: 43,324
Originally Posted by hoyshnin
My wipers work fine, but the washer fluid won't spray. I looked underneath the splash guard at the bottom of the washer fluid reservoir and the pump doesn't do anything when the washer fluid lever is pulled. I do hear a clicking from the relay box (I think that's what it is) next to the battery every time the lever is pulled, though. Does this mean I have an electrical connection problem, or maybe a fried pump? Anyone ever experienced this or have any advice?
That was the first thing I fixed on my car after I bought it. About $20 from some auto store, but beware, they rust out. Aftermarket ones are generic, and do not involve removal of the old pump. The new pump will suck the fluid through the chamber of the old pump, then send it on its way. Make the old-pump-to-new-pump line as short as possible, and mount it at or below the level of the old pump, because pumps push better than they pull, well, this one does at least.

But before you do any of that, disconnect the harness from the pump, stick a multimeter in it, turn your ignition to ACC, have a friend pull the handle while you're watching your voltage. Should be 12-14v as long as the handle is being pulled. If not, look elsewhere in the electrical system.
CapedCadaver is offline  
Old 03-10-2007, 07:28 PM
  #4  
mod or sell?
iTrader: (30)
 
internetautomar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Skokie (look it up)
Posts: 19,760
I bought a direct fit for my old VE when it was leaking. no hacking required
internetautomar is offline  
Old 03-10-2007, 07:47 PM
  #5  
Call me Wookiee Goldberg
iTrader: (8)
 
CapedCadaver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central NC
Posts: 43,324
Originally Posted by internetautomar
I bought a direct fit for my old VE when it was leaking. no hacking required
would there be any difference between VG and VE washer pump/tanks? seems like too small a detail to have been made differently. I wish I'd been able to find a direct-fit pump but that was before I started going to junkyards or joined the Org or anything.

To the poster: http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=474118 ask him if he's got one you can buy, if you test and your voltage is good
CapedCadaver is offline  
Old 03-11-2007, 12:10 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
maximagician's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: seattlle WA.
Posts: 718
[QUOTE=capedcadaver]would there be any difference between VG and VE washer pump/tanks? seems like too small a detail to have been made differently.

ve washer pumps have...oh , lets say....30 more hp
maximagician is offline  
Old 03-11-2007, 05:15 PM
  #7  
Call me Wookiee Goldberg
iTrader: (8)
 
CapedCadaver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central NC
Posts: 43,324
[QUOTE=maximagician]
Originally Posted by capedcadaver
would there be any difference between VG and VE washer pump/tanks? seems like too small a detail to have been made differently.

ve washer pumps have...oh , lets say....30 more hp
I'll believe it when I see it.
CapedCadaver is offline  
Old 03-12-2007, 06:25 AM
  #8  
Baby's on the Half Tip!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
hoyshnin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 407
Originally Posted by capedcadaver
That was the first thing I fixed on my car after I bought it. About $20 from some auto store, but beware, they rust out. Aftermarket ones are generic, and do not involve removal of the old pump. The new pump will suck the fluid through the chamber of the old pump, then send it on its way. Make the old-pump-to-new-pump line as short as possible, and mount it at or below the level of the old pump, because pumps push better than they pull, well, this one does at least.

But before you do any of that, disconnect the harness from the pump, stick a multimeter in it, turn your ignition to ACC, have a friend pull the handle while you're watching your voltage. Should be 12-14v as long as the handle is being pulled. If not, look elsewhere in the electrical system.
Yeah, I'll have to get a multimeter (don't have one right now) and check, I figured if it was a really common problem maybe I could just assume it was the pump, but I'll have to check the voltage.
hoyshnin is offline  
Old 03-12-2007, 07:15 AM
  #9  
Call me Wookiee Goldberg
iTrader: (8)
 
CapedCadaver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Central NC
Posts: 43,324
Originally Posted by hoyshnin
Yeah, I'll have to get a multimeter (don't have one right now) and check, I figured if it was a really common problem maybe I could just assume it was the pump, but I'll have to check the voltage.
$7 dollar bin at Harbor Freight! By a spare if you plan to use it alot, in case the battery on the first dies in the middle of a testing job.
CapedCadaver is offline  
Old 03-12-2007, 07:29 AM
  #10  
Reppin Nebraska by myself
 
polarb68111's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Omaha NE
Posts: 124
30 hp sounds about right!!
polarb68111 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Miket2006
6th Generation Maxima (2004-2008)
4
03-01-2021 03:55 AM
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
06-06-2017 02:01 PM
Need help
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
23
10-02-2015 08:56 AM
salty318
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
7
09-29-2015 01:21 PM
salty318
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
1
09-28-2015 07:22 PM



Quick Reply: Windshield washer fluid pump not working-electrical?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:30 PM.