windshield washer
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windshield washer
I have a '97 F150 4x4 that i can't get my windshield washer to work 90% of the time. I just read in the owners manual that a bug deflector will not allow the washer to work properly, is this true or b.s. Any help with this would be appreciated! Thanx
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,977
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From: South Texas
A bug deflector changes the air flow over the front of the truck, so this might change the pattern of the fluid spray while driving, but it would not keep the washer fluid form actually working. What do you mean by "doesn't work 90% of the time"? Is there nothing coming out of the nozzles or is the fluid not getting to the windshield? If the pump doesn't spray at all, first check all the electrical conections to make sure they are not loose. Check the inside of the tank to make sure there is not junk in there clogging up the pump. If the nozzles are not spraying, clean them with a small piece of wire. (Mine got clogged the last time I waxed the truck) Hope that helps
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Joined: Mar 2004
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I bet you dollars to doughnuts that the problem is the contacts in your multifunction switch. I had a problem with my washer working intermittently a while back. I found a similar topics discussed on this board where someone (AjRagno) gave a good procedure for disassembling the multifunction switch (turn signal) and cleaning the contact with brakleen. I followed the procedure (pretty simple, actually) and I have had zero problems since.
As triton points out, it could be a whole bunch of stuff depending on the symptoms, but I would start with the multifunction switch if there are no obvious loose connections anywhere.
Here is the procedure from the other thread that I found. Thanks to AjRagno for this info. It helped me a lot.
It's the multifuntion switch. I've been through this on my truck as well. It's the electrical contacts inside the switch that are at issue here.
The fix is pretty simple:
-Pop the cap off the end of the lever with your finger nail.
-Remove the phillips head screw.
-Pull everything out and spray all metal contacts with plenty of "Brakeleen." The stuff in the red can works well for cleaning.
It's not too tricky. The parts only go back in the way they were originally installed, so you can't mis-assemble it unless you try.
The 1st time I cleaned mine, I used electrical contact cleaner.... That fix only lasted about a week. The last time, I used Brakeleen and it's been working properly for about a year and 1/2. Don't over-tighten the screw tho
As triton points out, it could be a whole bunch of stuff depending on the symptoms, but I would start with the multifunction switch if there are no obvious loose connections anywhere.
Here is the procedure from the other thread that I found. Thanks to AjRagno for this info. It helped me a lot.
It's the multifuntion switch. I've been through this on my truck as well. It's the electrical contacts inside the switch that are at issue here.
The fix is pretty simple:
-Pop the cap off the end of the lever with your finger nail.
-Remove the phillips head screw.
-Pull everything out and spray all metal contacts with plenty of "Brakeleen." The stuff in the red can works well for cleaning.
It's not too tricky. The parts only go back in the way they were originally installed, so you can't mis-assemble it unless you try.
The 1st time I cleaned mine, I used electrical contact cleaner.... That fix only lasted about a week. The last time, I used Brakeleen and it's been working properly for about a year and 1/2. Don't over-tighten the screw tho
Last edited by cwgoff; May 22, 2004 at 11:03 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
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From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I had this problem on my 97, and it turned out that there was a round piece of clear plastic floating around in the windshield wiper fluid reservoir, clogging up the intake most of the time...probably the washer from the fluid bottle seal which fell in while topping it up....do a good junk search in the tank before starting a surgery.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,921
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From: central TX
Anybody have ghost wipers? Every couple of months I get a "ghost" sweep of the windshield wipers. Cruising down the highway, no possible way I hit the controls. One sweep and its done. Doesn't bother me, my dad said it's done it since new, just wondering.
Also yes try what cwgoff said its worked on oter vehicles for me.
Also yes try what cwgoff said its worked on oter vehicles for me.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,200
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From: Ottawa, Ontario Canada
I have had one sweep of the wipers if I engage the turnsignal while already having started making my turn....never had the ghost all by itself!
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Posting Guru
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Originally Posted by tdister
Anybody have ghost wipers? Every couple of months I get a "ghost" sweep of the windshield wipers. Cruising down the highway, no possible way I hit the controls. One sweep and its done. Doesn't bother me, my dad said it's done it since new, just wondering.
Also yes try what cwgoff said its worked on oter vehicles for me.
Also yes try what cwgoff said its worked on oter vehicles for me.
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CWGoff
"-Pop the cap off the end of the lever with your finger nail"
I don't mean to be dumb, but I don't want to break the switch.
The end with the "button"? Pop the "button" off?
I tried gently removing the "button" with thumbnail than by pulling. Nothing gives.
Help, please.
Thanks,
Hawkeye77
"-Pop the cap off the end of the lever with your finger nail"
I don't mean to be dumb, but I don't want to break the switch.
The end with the "button"? Pop the "button" off?
I tried gently removing the "button" with thumbnail than by pulling. Nothing gives.
Help, please.
Thanks,
Hawkeye77
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
Hawkeye77,
Not a dumb question. I felt the same way when I tried this the first time. You don't want to force something and end up breaking it. We've all been there.
On my '97 model the multifunction switch has a thin cap on the very end. You don't really even notice it until you try to figure out how to get it off. There is not "button". All you can see is a thin line where the cap and the main body of the lever join.
If you put your fingernail or a thin screwdriver in the seam, you should be able to pry of the end cap. Once you have that done, there is a philips head screw that hold the whole assembly together. Once you have that off, you will be able to remove the end of the lever (the part that you slide in and out in order to wash the windshield).
Be careful as you pull everything apart. There is a little spring that runs through the switch with two little metal ends. You don't want to lose those any of these little parts (obviously).
As someone else posted here, it is pretty straightforward from there. It only goes back together one way, but you will probably have to fiddle with it just a little bit.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Not a dumb question. I felt the same way when I tried this the first time. You don't want to force something and end up breaking it. We've all been there.
On my '97 model the multifunction switch has a thin cap on the very end. You don't really even notice it until you try to figure out how to get it off. There is not "button". All you can see is a thin line where the cap and the main body of the lever join.
If you put your fingernail or a thin screwdriver in the seam, you should be able to pry of the end cap. Once you have that done, there is a philips head screw that hold the whole assembly together. Once you have that off, you will be able to remove the end of the lever (the part that you slide in and out in order to wash the windshield).
Be careful as you pull everything apart. There is a little spring that runs through the switch with two little metal ends. You don't want to lose those any of these little parts (obviously).
As someone else posted here, it is pretty straightforward from there. It only goes back together one way, but you will probably have to fiddle with it just a little bit.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 28
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CW - Mine is a '98 - must have been a design change - I just cannot locate that small line - I do appreciate your attempt to help - guess I'll just keep giving a turn signal to operate the washer - thanks again,
Hawkeye77
Hawkeye77
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