Haven't posted here in a while. How is everybody?

Anyway, having an intermittent problem with my windshield washer on my 1998 Explorer XLT 4x4 six.

When I press the windshield washer button on the end of the lever on the steering column, it sometimes activates the pump and sprays the windshield as it is supposed to do. However, sometimes it does not after repeated tries.

Same problem with the rear window washer, when I press the button on the dash that controls the rear window washer, it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.

Both front and rear washers feed from the same reservoir. I replaced the washer pump that is mounted on the washer reservoir but that did not cure the problem.

Now, the washer pump has one inlet form the washer reservoir and two outlets. I assume that one of these outlets delivers washing fluid to the windshield and the other to the rear window.

What I don't understand is how the pump is 'told' electronically to deliver the wash to either the front or the back.

So basically:

1 new pump, 2 outlets, 2 control buttons.

Pump was replaced.

I don't think that both buttons are intermittently bad.

Still front and rear washers work sometimes, but not all the time.

I am thinking their must be a relay or something between the buttons and the washer pump, but cannot find any mention of this in any manuals I have.

So I would appreciate any help with this problem from someone in the forum who knows this system.

Thanks in advance.

JD

 

JD,

There are two relays that control the washer system (part number F5TZ-14N089-B).

One is located under the hood in the Power Distribution Box, the washer relay is usually the second from the back (near the cowl/dash). It is usually shown in the owner's manual.

The second relay controls the front spraying, since it uses a common pump. Simply, one relay toggles between the front spray and the rear spray. The second relay is located under the air cleaner in a small rectangular power box (approx. 2" x 6 1/2"). Since this is a located low, it gets a lot of road spray (salt, water, etc). The relay for the front washers is typically the front relay. If you pull it out, it is likely to be green/corroded. You may want to clean all the relays, replace the green ones, and pack the sockets with dielectric grease. I have replaced several of the relays in this auxilary box for several customers.

Good Luck!