How to Fix Your Wiper Fluid Spray Problem (Quick and Easy Fix)

Have you experienced a windshield wiper fluid not coming out scenario? It’s never a good time to run out of wiper fluid.

If you’ve been driving for hours and are coming to your destination, the last thing you want to do is pull up to the curb with streaks of dirt running down your windshield.

How to Repair a Windshield Washer?

Why your windshield washer fluid won’t come out? There are many potential reasons why your windshield washer fluid won’t come out. First, you have to make sure that the washer fluid reservoir is full. If there is no fluid coming out after refilling, you may have a clogged nozzle, blow a fuse, or the pump is broken and needs to be replaced.

MORE: How to Change Wiper Blade?

Step 1: Check the Fuse

With the car parked in a quiet place, operate the window washer and listen for the whirring of the pump.

If there’s no sound, head right for the fuse box.

If the fuse is blown, it’s usually a sign of a dead pump motor or one that’s ready to check out. If it blows again, replace the motor.

How to Repair a Windshield Washer

Step 2: Check the windshield washer fluid reservoir.

If your washer fluid won’t spray, it may be because your washer fluid reservoir is empty. I know it seems obvious, but how many times do we overlook the obvious in our everyday lives. The windshield washer fluid reservoir is easy to locate. 

Most of the time it has a picture of the washers on the reservoir cap. Go ahead and open the cap. Then check the dipstick to see the fill level. If you need to refill, use a premixed fluid so that you will know that you have the correct solution. The last thing you want to happen is for the fluid to freeze up in the winter.

If you have to refill your reservoir, once you’ve completed the job, be sure to check under the car, on the ground, for fluid. Make sure that a leak in your reservoir tank wasn’t the cause of the problem.

Step 3: Listen to see if you can hear the washer pump running.

The best way to do this is with the ignition on but the engine not running. That way it will be easier to hear. Get a helper. You’ll need someone to push or turn the knob while you listen. If you can hear the motor running, that’s great. If the windshield washer fluid still won’t spray go on to Step 3…

Step 4: Make sure the washer nozzle jets are free.

The problem could be that your windshield wiper nozzles are clogged. Polish can easily block these nozzles. The location of the nozzle jets varies from car to car. Look around the base of your front windshield for yours.

If it’s the rear wiper jets that won’t work, then check near the topside of the rear window for the wiper jets. Once you’ve located them, use a straight pin to clear out the jets.

Hopefully, that gave you some insight into the cause of the problem. If so, congratulations! Job well done.