Windshield Washer Pump Dead?

onecrazyfoo4u · December 5, 2017

I have an 05 1500 with the 5.3l. My windshield washer barely sprays at all, basically a dribble. Definitely need it now that winter has hit. I stuck a small pin down each washer spray nozzle hoping that would do it, but it's still crap. Do you think it's just the washer pump that's slowly dying? Or should I try blowing compressed air through the lines? Can I blow backwards (from the nozzles into the reservoir tank)? Or would that damage the pump?

It looks like a pain to change the pump. Limited room, and the fluid has to be drained out somehow. There's no drain cap, so I'm guessing you have to pull the pump and spill it out everywhere?

Thanks for any help guys.

04z71crew · December 5, 2017

Spoiler

Hey there,

Had some similar issues on my 2004 Silverado, however mine was actually leaking. Assuming your hoses are good the pump has probably developed cracks due to age and isn't holding a seal anymore. Mine was cracked all over the place. It is a little hard to get to but I did mine in about 15 minutes. The pump snaps into place with an O ring on the very bottom of the tank. Disconnect hoses and 1(wire) connection, push down and pull out then lift the pump right out. Crank your driver wheel to the left for adequate space while working on it. Have the new pump ready and you wont lose much fluid. Reassemble and enjoy a clean windshield.

If the new pump doesn't work, you might have a cracked hose somewhere, inspect for leaks.

carnau · December 6, 2017

9 hours ago, onecrazyfoo4u said:

I have an 05 1500 with the 5.3l. My windshield washer barely sprays at all, basically a dribble. Definitely need it now that winter has hit. I stuck a small pin down each washer spray nozzle hoping that would do it, but it's still crap. Do you think it's just the washer pump that's slowly dying? Or should I try blowing compressed air through the lines? Can I blow backwards (from the nozzles into the reservoir tank)? Or would that damage the pump?

It looks like a pain to change the pump. Limited room, and the fluid has to be drained out somehow. There's no drain cap, so I'm guessing you have to pull the pump and spill it out everywhere?

Thanks for any help guys.

Ok so the pump is extremely easy to replace. But lets not go there just yet. Take the hose loose at the pump. Spray it and see if you have good spray. If you don't it still may not be a pump issue. Could just be Algae in the bottom of the tank. Sounds terrible right? Not really. A cap full of Bleach and after an hour it's good as new.

But like I said lets look into taking that bottom hose loose and testing the pump.

onecrazyfoo4u · December 6, 2017

Sweet, thanks guys sounds easy enough. I'll try to check it out tonight.

carnau · December 6, 2017

9 hours ago, onecrazyfoo4u said:

Sweet, thanks guys sounds easy enough. I'll try to check it out tonight.

Let me know what you find. I meant to tell you that if it does have algae in the tank you will need to drain the tank after you wait an hour so the sediment doesn't get stuck in the pump itself.

Also don't buy a cheap pump. They don't last. The ACDelco pumps are great. http://amzn.to/2AYhyXG

onecrazyfoo4u · January 3, 2018

Forgot to update this. Turns out it was just a cracked spray line where it bends around the battery. Rubbing and changing all those years I guess. Little piece of tubing fixed it right up.