Windshield Washer Pump Not Getting Power.

[Garrcus]

Hey guys,

So after spending a couple of months getting my newly purchased 85 k10 up and running I decided to try and figure out why my windshield washer fluid would not spray out on to my windshield. I replaced the washer pump located behind the fluid reservoir just assuming that was it. Of course like usual my assumptions are never right. The new pump still didn't work. So I put the old pump back in and ran a jumper from the battery and proceeded to spray washer fluid all over myself. Needless to say now that I narrowed the issue down to not getting power to the pump I followed the two wires (White,Red-Pink) back to my firewall where they seem to connect into the back of the fuse box located up under the driver side cab. I looked at my haynes manual and none of the fuses seem to run this pump or at least the pump is not listed. I checked all the fuses that are currently installed and all of them are good. Is there a specific fuse that runs the pump and if so what slot does it go into? Is there a relay that I need to inspect? Still getting the hang of this electrical stuff.

Just to let you guys know in an effort to give as much info as possible when I press on the windshield washer fluid switch on my turn signal lever the wipers respond and begin wiping the windshield so I know that the wiper motor and fuse is good.

Could it be in the turn signal cluster inside the steering column or down under near the fuse box?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Skunksmash]

My pump was dead. Yours might be too

[Garrcus]

I wish that was case. I tried a new pump and it still didn't work. So I ran a jumper from a battery to the old pump and it sprayed washer fluid all over the place so I know the pump works fine.

 I just can't figure out where my bad connection is or if there is a fuse that runs the pump?

[1979C20]

The only fuse I see on a fuse box diagram is named "wiper" and its located at the bottom right above the turn signal flasher.

[bake74]

     Did you check to see if there is a relay somewhere in the circuit, not a fuse but a relay.  Usually black square box that plugs in to fuse panel somewhere ?

[Garrcus]

When I follow the wires from the pump back to the firewall where it plugs into (what I am assuming is the back of the fuse box with numerous other wires) there is no damage or relay. When I get up under the dash on the driver side I find a nest of wires going here and there. I will look again under the dash and look for any relays to inspect.

What should I be looking for when inspecting a relay to know if it is bad? I do have a multimeter but am still getting the hang of this electrical stuff.

Thanks again.

[Isaac3384]

There will be at least 4 wires on your relay. Two of which will be your coil, and the other two will be your set of 'normally open' contacts. One of the normally open contacts will have power all the time, the other will have power when the coil is energized. To find which is which, you can use a multi-meter on the ohm setting. The two terminals that show continuity, but have resistance will be the coil. If there is more than 4 terminals, for example we'll use 5, then you'll have two terminals that show continuity with resistance, two that show continuity with no resistance (the same reading as if you touched the meter leads together, and two that show no continuity.

We'll call the coil terminals 'a' and 'b'. 'a' being the power for the coil and 'b' will be the ground.

The other terminals will be '1' '2' and '3'.

With no power to the coil, this will be true

Ohming from 1 to 2 will show continuity with no resistance; like you touched the meter's leads together.

Ohming 1 to 3 will show no continuity.

When you apply power to 'a' and a good ground to 'b', these will be true

Ohming 1 to 2 will show no continuity

Ohming 1 to 3 will show continuity with no resistance.

Regardless if there is power or not, there will never be continuity between 2 and 3.


You can do all of this, or just spend a few bucks and buy a new relay...lol

[Garrcus]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll get under there tomorrow and see if I can find the relay. I will most likely spend the few bucks to replace it although learning how to test it would be beneficial in the long run...but I am trying to get this pump working before I head off to hunting camp this weekend so Napa here I come.  I'll let you know how it pans out.

Thanks again.

[VileZambonie]

Why throw parts at it?

Take a test light to the connector at the washer pump. Key on Engine off, the white wire should have B+. If not you have an open circuit, there is no relay. If there's no B+ there check the fuse in the fuse block.

If there is B+ go to the pink wire at the washer pump and connect your test light alligator clip to the battery + terminal. Probe the pink wire and actuate the wash mode on the wiper stalk. The test light should illuminate. Report your findings.