Hey guys. I'm new to this forum. I have 2011 E350 that we bought used to haul our kids in. I've owned it for almost 3 years. It's been great for the most part.

However, this morning on our way to church when I tried to clean the windshield nothing happened. Like - NOTHING. I hit the switch and the pump didn't pump fluid and the wipers didn't come on.

Is this a bad relay, or a bad multi-switch? Or could there be something else going on? I don't hear the pump at all when I hit the switch.

Any help you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

I would start with the easy stuff first... did you check the fuses? It would be odd for the wipers and the pump to go out at the same time. Do the wipers work without the washer?

 

The wipers work fine without the washer. Meaning, if I turn the wipers on, they work. However they don't work if I just hit the washer switch.

So, I have assumed the wiper fuse is fine since the wipers work. Is there another fuse that could impact the the wipers and washer pump separate from the wiper fuse? In other words, which fuse do I start with? The manual didn't mention anything about the washer pump on the fuse box.

 

I don't see a separate fuse or relay for the washer pump either, so it may be the same fuse for both. If I have a chance to pull the fuse on mine and test I'll report back.

My first check then would be to see if you have power at the pump when the switch is on. If not, it's the switch or wiring; if there is, it's the pump. Failed pumps are not uncommon. Kinked hoses are not uncommon either, but you would hear the pump spin.

 

I can certainly pull the wiper fuse and check it tonight when I get home. I don't hear anything at the pump when the switch is pressed, so i doubt it's a kinked hose.

My thinking is that if the pump has failed, the wipers would still kick on, right? Or are they somehow tied into the pump? The manual provides a three step process for that switch - a tap just turns the wipers on for one swipe across the windshield, tap and hold for a second provides washer spray and three swipes, and tap and hold for more than 3 seconds gives more washer and wipes, followed by a subsequent swipe 10 seconds later (I think I'm remembering that right). Based on that, I figured that the pump is probably fine.

I'm leaning towards the switch or something in the wiring I guess. Unless someone can help me ID a different fuse to check...

Thanks for the help teutonics. If you have any other ideas I welcome them.

 

Sorry, I missed that detail the first time around. Yes, that would seem to indicate a failed switch.

 

Well, the silly thing worked just fine tonight. So I'm going with a failing switch.