Windshield Washer Fluid Not Coming Out – Easy Fix

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It’s never a great experience to run out of windshield wiper fluid. The dusty, hazy, cloudy, or snowy driving conditions can be crazy.

These are the moments you’ll need the windshield wiper to be at full throttle. You know the failure of the wiper to clean the windshield can result in you skidding off the road. But then, the wiper needs fluid to do a clean job.

If the windshield washer fluid fails to come out when and how it should, the natural reaction can be frustrating.

It may even be that you’ve just refilled the fluid reservoir and yet the fluid doesn’t come out. But never worry! I’ve got an easy fix for you.

If you ask, ‘why will the windshield wiper fluid not come out?’ I’ll tell you a few things are responsible. Specifically, there are four potential reasons your car’s windshield wiper fluid will not spray.

  • Lack of washer fluid
  • Faulty spray pump
  • Clog buildup in the nozzle
  • Blown fuse

I’ll make the fix on a case-by-case scenario to an easy understanding.

Wiper Fluid Not Spraying After Refill

Let me start from here because it’s a common issue among drivers and car owners. If the issue is about the windshield washer fluid not coming out after refill, three culprits are most likely behind it.

It could be a broken pump, a blown fuse, or a clogged nozzle. Whatever the issue is, the fluid won’t appear after refill until it’s fixed.

A Broken Wiper Pump Motor

Trust me, your windshield fluid will not come up after refill if the pump is broken. Which pump am I referring to here? It is the wiper pump motor.

I mean the engine that pushes the fluid from its container to the windshield. So, when you press the switch, the engine won’t turn on.

I’m sure this should be a no-brainer, isn’t it? By analogy, if your car engine fails to work, the car is as dead and irresponsive.

The wiper pump motor may be running but cannot power the pumping of the fluid to the windshield. As a result, the wiper fluid will not spray.

Blown Fuse(s)

When you refill and the windshield washer fluid isn’t coming out, it’s possible the wiper fuse is faulty. The fuse is an important component of the entire fluid pumping motor.

Fuses are integrated into your car to prevent shorts and current overload. Depending on your car model and design, there might be two fuse boxes.

Whatever the case, if the fuse of the windshield washer gets burnt or blown, the electrical connection of the motor is cut off. So, when you try to pump the fluid, it will not come out from the nozzles.

Clogged Build In The Nozzles

The third potential reason the windshield fluid isn’t coming out after refilling might be clogged nozzles. The nozzle is the passageway for the fluid.

But once it’s clogged by debris, fluid won’t be able to pass through to the windshield. The pump will struggle to no avail to push the fluid through the hose.

Windshield Wiper Fluid Not Coming Out On One Side

You may also notice that the windshield wiper fluid is not coming out on one side. The reasons for this cannot be far-fetched.

If one of the washer fluid hoses or nozzles is clogged, there is a chance that the fluid will only manage to come out from one side. Don’t forget, the nozzles are two.

One is located towards the left wiper and the other towards the right wiper. I’ve discussed the fix to a clogged wiper fluid hose below. Follow the steps and you’re good to go.

Not Enough Washer Fluid

The other reason why the fluid will only come out on one side of the nozzle is if there’s no washer fluid.

It may also be that the fluid inside the fluid can is not enough to go round the two nozzles. As a result, the water will only pass through one side of the two nozzles.

You have to be sure that there’s enough water in the fluid reservoir that will supply the two hoses. On average, a windshield wiper fluid reservoir can take up to ¾ or 231 cubic inches (an equivalent of a 3.7 liters gallon) of fluid.

The absence of the fluid means you cannot spray your windshield with fluid to get rid of the dust on it.

If you refill the fluid reservoir to full capacity, the windshield wiper fluid should start coming out. If not, then there is something much more.

How To Fix Windshield Wiper Fluid Not Spraying

Fixing windshield wiper fluid not coming out is pretty easy. I’ll take each issue one step after another. Is it that the fluid is not coming out after refill or it’s coming out from one side? I’ve got the fix is simple and easy-to-follow steps.

Faulty Fluid Pump Motor: How To Fix

You can either repair or replace the bad wiper fluid pump motor, depending on the extent of the damage. I’ll recommend changing the motor completely to offer an effective job.

You can either do it yourself or call a professional to handle it for you. Either way, replacing or repairing the washer pump motor is cost-effective. If you’re repairing here are the steps to take:

Supplies needed:

  • Washer pump motor
  • Test light
  • A friend

Step 1:

Open the bonnet: Start by opening the car bonnet for easy access to the accessories. You can jack up the car if you need to go under the hood.

Step 2:

Locate the pump. The next step is to locate the washer pump. It is usually installed at the base of the fluid reservoir.

Step 3:

Turn on the washer nozzle: You can ask someone to do this for you

Step 4:

Probe the connector: As the wiper nozzles are turned, inspect the connector on the pump.

Step 5:

Confirm power supply: attach the test light clip to know if there’s a power supply to the washer pump motor.

If there’s and the motor isn’t running, then you’ll need to replace the motor. Otherwise, if there’s no power supply, it is possible the fuse has blown.

Blown Fuse: How To Fix

You can only replace the fuse once it is blown or burnt. Depending on the car, you may buy two fuses. One is installed in the car cabin close to the passenger dash. The other is beneath the car hood.

Supplies needed:

  • Fuse puller
  • Replacement fuse
  • A friend
  • Circuit tester or Test light

Step 1:

Open the bonnet: this will give you free access to the fuse box

Step 2:

Locate the fuse: look for the fuse box and locate the fuse for the washer pump.

Step 3:

Locate the blown fuse: with your circuit tester or test light

Step 4:

Replace the burnt fuse: remove the blown fuse from the box and replace it with a new one. Make sure the replacement fuse has an equal amp rating as the blown fuse.

Step 5:

Test if the new fuse works: Pour some fluid into the fluid container and spray on the windshield to see if the fluid will come out.

Clogged Windshield Washer Nozzles: How To Fix

There are two methods to use in blowing out the clog from the inside washer pump nozzle. You can use compressed air or a sewing needle. Either method, you’ll get a great results if done properly.

Supplies needed:

  • Nozzle needle or (sewing needle will work as well)
  • Compressed air

Method 1: Compressed Air

Step 1:

Open the bonnet: gain access to the nozzle from inside the bonnet

Step 2:

Spray compressed into the nozzle: Hold the nozzles in one hand and a container of compressed air in the other. Point the compressed inside the nozzle and blow the clog. Repeat the process until the debris becomes lost and allows fluid passage.

Method 2: Nozzle Needle

Alternatively, you can use a nozzle needle or sewing needle to unclog the passageway of the wiper fluid hoses or nozzle. Make sure the needle is a bit larger than the nozzle. This way, it can penetrate the debris and loosen its grip on the passage.

Final Step:

Inspect the wiper fluid nozzle: After completing either of the two procedures, the next step is to ascertain that the nozzles are working.

You’ve got to be sure that nothing is obstructing the passage of fluid to the windshield.

As a way of doing a good job, go under the car hood and check if the washer system is also free of clog and debris.

Final Thoughts

Now, there’s no danger of driving with the windshield wiper fluid not coming out. I have looked at the reasons why the fluid is not coming out on one or both sides.

Sometimes, you’ll refill the fluid, yet you won’t find it when you need it to clear the windshield. These are potential issues you might encounter as you drive on those lonely and snowy roads.

If you apply the simple fix highlighted in this article, you won’t have to worry the next time.

When you love driving more in the wet season, at no point should your windshield wiper be defective or lack fluid. Before you start the trip, make sure you check all wiper and windshield-related issues.

Fill the wiper fluid tank when the level is low and ask your mechanic to repair the wiper when it goes bad. I hope this article helps you to avoid a delay due to windshield wiper fluid not coming out.