I hesitated to create this thread. I did cursory search which yielded little.

So, the wife and I went out and fired up the rig yesterday to take it for a ride. I had washed it earlier in the week, maybe 5 days before. I had some water spots on the windshield, so maybe 20-30 seconds after starting it, I hit the windshield washer button. Wipers swung and I heard the pump engage, but no fluid hit the windshield. Tried it again, same result. I thought, huh, must be out. Maybe the dealer drained the reservoir when I had the wiper recall done or something. So, off to the gas station to get a jug of the good ole blue stuff. Popped the hood, and filled only about the height of the filler neck. Maybe 8-10oz worth. I thought, great, the damn washer pump doesn't work. Hopped in the truck, hit the button, and lo and behold, washer fluid. Worked fine. Proceeded to go for our drive and washed the windshield about 10 times using all the fluid I had added plus what I assume is more and it worked fine.

Is there some sort of detay to the washer right after starting the truck? It doesn't make any sense to me that there would be, but nor does it make any sense that adding such a small amount of fluid would magically get it to work.

 

My washers work without delay.

When was the last time you used your washers and did you use paste wax when you washed the rig?

 

No paste wax. Just a standard wash and put her back.

Um... Good question. Couple weeks at least since I used the windshield washer last. Truck doesn't get driven much sadly.

 

Maybe hot out and hose at sprayer allowed an air bubble to form?

Have you tested it again recently? I suspect it will only be a problem if the sprayer is not used for a bit.

 

The longer you wait, it'll take awhile to prime back up.
I noticed this on my 19. It sits for a month or more at a time & even then I rarely use washers. So when I do, same exact thing, I hear the pump running but no juice. I try it two or 3 times then it takes off. I'm thinking over time the lines bleed back to the tank & it takes a bit to get it primed & moving again. Its normal (I guess) for my truck.

 

Your post is exactly what had happened to me, also this week.

Wiper, no fluid.

Popped hood, can see fluid, topped off anyway.

Get back in and try again, and they work perfectly!!!

I guess the pump is good?

 

If you have a front camera, it usually takes a little bit to fill the lines, especially if your truck has sat for a long period of time.

 

Had the same thing happen once - no idea why. Glad to hear its not uncommon - hate the sound of dry wipers through....

 

Oh whew. At least I'm not the only one.

Yes, we have the front camera too. Makes sense. I'll make it a habit to use the washer each time I roll the truck out.

Thank you!

 

The issue was that when the truck sat the fluid in the washer hoses drained back or dried out, so the pump had to fill all the lines back up before any would squirt out of the nozzles.
No biggie, totally normal for a truck that sits for long periods.