The design and principle of operation of a car windshield washer

What is a windshield washer

Windshield washer is a functional device that is designed to supply washer fluid to the windshield. This is done in order to wet the surface to be cleaned and wash away dirt or dust from it. Otherwise, the wipers will simply smear dirt across the glass, thereby impairing visibility. As a rule, windshield washer is used in the following cases:

• in rain or snow, when without washer fluid the brushes simply increase the number of streaks on the glass;
• if the windshield is very dirty, to wash off a layer of dust or adhering insects.

Renault Duster fan injectors
The washer fluid used has a great influence on the performance of the device. A high-quality washer guarantees a significant increase in visibility and easy removal of insect stains.

Some products have properties that guarantee resistance to freezing. In the winter season, they spray well and do not form an icy film on the glass.

Prevention measures

In order to avoid sudden problems with the operation of the windshield washer system, you must:

• promptly refill the washer reservoir with antifreeze liquid and remove water from the system;

• check the quality of the antifreeze in the freezer; it is better to buy liquid at a gas station;

• remove the chip from the pump and inject silicone grease into the contact area, it pushes water out of the contact area, preventing corrosion;

• if the tubes crack, replace them with serviceable ones, you can take silicone tubes from an IV (sold at any pharmacy);

• When operating a vehicle at temperatures below minus 25 degrees Celsius, it is recommended to install heated injectors.

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Diagram and design of the windshield washer

The device diagram is as simple as possible and consists of the following functional elements:

• nozzles;
• washer fluid reservoir;
• pump equipped with a motor;
• connecting hoses.

Let's take a closer look at each detail:

1. Nozzles are the element that supplies the washer fluid to the windshield. The main task of the device is to ensure that the liquid gets to the center of the surface, from where the brushes most easily spread it across the working area. Depending on the principle of operation, jet and fan nozzles are distinguished. The latter are considered more efficient due to higher fluid supply pressure and the number of nozzles.
2. A fluid reservoir located under the hood of a car. The reservoir is connected by hoses to nozzles. Depending on the tank model, they are produced in volumes from 2.5 to 5 liters. Optionally, it can be equipped with a float-type washer fluid level sensor.
3. The windshield washer pump is centrifugal type. It is attached to the tank and is designed to create pressure and supply liquid. The device consists of an electric motor and an impeller.

Washer reservoir in a Mercedes car

The motor of a car windshield washer is quite small, so its long-term and continuous use can negatively affect its service life. This is especially true when turning on the washer when the liquid is frozen.

Washer fuse location

In different cars, the fuse blocks and the fuses themselves are located in different orders; there is no single standard so that the block is, for example, on the right and there is a certain order of which fuse is responsible for what. Find out the location of the block and a specific fuse, for example, when replacing the cigarette lighter fuse. Therefore, we will consider for specific brands and models of cars in the photo.

On a VW Jetta 6 (Volkswagen Jetta 6), the washer fuse is located in the engine compartment, to the right of the engine.

Location of the washer fuse in the block of the VAZ 2110. The block itself is located in the passenger compartment on the driver's side. The fuse responsible for the operation of the washer is number 9 (second from the right from the top).

Location of washer fuse Wolksvagen Passat B7

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How the device works

Let's look at the washer's operation algorithm from servicing to applying the product to the glass:

1. It is necessary to fill a suitable washer fluid into the tank located under the hood.
2. The driver activates the supply of cleaning agent to the glass and the operation of the windshield wipers using the steering column switch.
3. The windshield washer motor receives power from the on-board network and starts working.
4. The pump creates pressure and pumps fluid through the windshield washer hose to the nozzles. Through special holes, liquid is sprayed onto the glass under high pressure.
5. The work includes brushes that distribute the washer throughout the entire working area of ​​the windshield.

Turning on the wipers and washer on a Grand Cherokee
In most cases, the driver of the vehicle manually turns on the wipers and washer using special buttons.
More expensive car models are equipped with smart systems with built-in sensors that independently determine the level of glass contamination and weather conditions in order to automatically use the washer.

What in the washer can break?

If the windshield washers do not work, it means that a failure has occurred in one of the sections of the system described above. Let's look at what problems with the glass washer may be associated with.

Pump

The pump motor is the part of the washer system that wears out very quickly due to frequent operation.

Unfortunately, you can understand that something is wrong with this device only when water stops flowing to the nozzles. Otherwise, it does not show its malfunctions in any way.

Pump repair method:

Two common ailments can affect the motor:

• corrosion;
• abrasion or breakage.

If corrosion of this device is your case, do not worry. Experienced motorists can easily cope with it with a simple eraser.

But if this mechanism is erased or broken, it will have to be pulled out and replaced with a new one.

You can understand that the pump is the cause of the problem by the absence of a characteristic sound. If you press the washer lever and do not hear the usual buzzing sound, it means that the pump motor is not working.

Often windshield washer malfunctions are associated with the breakdown of this particular part. We'll tell you how to replace it a little later.

Blockage

Also, water may stop flowing to the nozzles due to blockage. The fact is that the tubes through which the liquid flows are very thin and the debris that accumulates in them can cause obstruction. To combat this defect, the system will have to be flushed and possibly purged.

Torn hoses

Another reason could be that the hoses have lost their integrity. If the tubes become leaky, water will not get from point A to point B, just like if it is clogged.

No current

And another common reason is lack of nutrition. Check that the pump and accumulator shafts are securely fastened. Perhaps the motor is simply not receiving energy.

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There are also terminals on the motor that could have oxidized or fallen off. Check them out.

There is also a windshield washer fuse on the motor with a power of about ten amperes. If the pump motor fails, this fuse may need to be replaced.

Ice

If problems are discovered during the cold season, it is possible that the water in the tank has simply frozen. You can fix this with a hairdryer. And it’s better to immediately fill in the “anti-freeze”, because due to frequent expansion under pressure of water that has turned into ice, the plastic container may burst.

Ways to solve problems with washer fluid freezing

Drivers regularly face the problem of liquid freezing during the winter season. Even the most resistant substances may not retain their properties in severe frosts. As a result, some drivers turn off the system until the weather warms up, while others use alternative solutions to the problem. What to do if the windshield washer freezes:

1. Move the car to a warm, heated garage or parking lot until the fluid restores its previous properties. This option is suitable only for those who have free time and access to insulated premises.
2. Temporarily remove the water tank, if possible, and warm it indoors. After defrosting, the tank must be installed back.
3. Fill the reservoir with anti-icing washer fluid, which is designed to work in extreme conditions, including the range from -70 to -50 degrees.

In winter, it is not recommended to completely fill the washer reservoir. Due to the expansion of frozen liquid, the reservoir may crack or burst.

Pump repair or replacement?

The feasibility of repair is determined by the cost of a new pump. A large number of pumps are non-separable, so for repairs you will have to cut them and then glue the plastic case together. To repair it yourself, it is enough to completely disassemble the motor, clean its insides from dirt, corrosion and growths.

Of course, you won’t find spare parts for the washer pump, so the sealing lip will remain old. If it was this that caused the jamming, then within a year the windshield washer will most likely not work again.

How to remove and wash injectors

The windshield washer nozzles are held in place by plastic clips. To remove the injector without damaging the body, check its number in the original spare parts catalog. By finding a photo of the injector by number, you will see exactly where the latches are located. You can remove the nozzle with a thin slotted screwdriver.

For cleaning, you can use a needle smaller than the diameter of the sprayer hole. We recommend that you first leave clogged injectors in a citric acid solution for some time. After soaking, the deposit can be removed using carburetor cleaner or compressed air.

Driving a car turns into torture if the windshield is covered with streaks of dirt. Trying to see what is happening ahead, the driver gets tired and has less control over the situation on the road. And the wipers scratch the glass, spreading abrasive dirt over it. Let's look at the most common faults. Perhaps, after reading this article, you will be able to independently cope with diagnostics and repairs right in the yard of your home. Let’s discuss several points at once so as not to repeat ourselves many times in the future:

• a description of the method for finding the cause of the malfunction will be presented continuously. That is, we will assume that the breakdown has not yet been fixed. If everything works for you, complete the repair.
• If any actions are beyond your competence or the necessary tools and spare parts are not available, go to a store or car service center.

Additional heating system

One of the current options for winter is the installation of an additional heating system for the windshield washer reservoir and nozzles. The car owner can forget about problems with liquid freezing or icing of pipes.

Equipment manufacturers produce standard-shaped injectors with built-in heating. Resistors are used to maintain temperature and prevent icing. The power supply passes through the resistance, as a result of which heat is generated, which prevents the element from freezing. The liquid supply tubes are specially insulated, and electric heaters can be used to heat the tank.

A windshield washer is a must-have device, without which it is difficult to imagine a car. It allows you to increase the safety and comfort of driving a vehicle.