The windscreen is a vital element in the car. Through it we can see the road ahead, as well as different unforeseen events. It is vital to keep it in good condition and also clean. For this we have the windscreen wiper, which mainly serves to remove rain, hail or snow. Its operation depends on there being water on the windscreen, hence sometimes we have to use the windscreen wiper fluid.
You should not use windscreen wiper fluid just when the windscreen is dirty. The windscreen must be clean, you should not clean it only with the wipers, as dirt can damage them and even harm the glass.
This is an act that we all tend to do almost automatically, there are no secrets. And it has happened to all of us (or will happen) to find ourselves one day when the windscreen wiper on our car does not expel liquid… The solution is within everyone’s reach and there are different levels of severity that we will see below, due to carelessness, the accumulation of dirt or wear caused by the passage of time.
Why is there no water coming out of the windshield wiper?
If when you turn on the windshield wipers no water comes out or it comes out with less flow than usual, the cause may be that
Empty tank
The main reason why no water comes out of the windshield wipers is very simple, the water tank is empty. So it’s time to check it:
- With the engine cold, lift the hood and look for the circular cap on the tank (it has a picture of a windshield wiper and usually has a blue cap. If you don’t see it, you should read the vehicle manual to find it.
- Take a look. The tank is usually translucent for easy checking. If not, it is best to look through the opening (you can use a flashlight if necessary).
- If you don’t see anything or the fluid level is very close to the bottom, refill.
- The edge sometimes has a kind of strainer to prevent impurities from getting in and damaging the circuit. Take the opportunity to check if it is in good condition.
- Then take a bottle with windshield washer fluid (it is usually a mixture of water and alcohol, to prevent it from freezing in low temperatures and it is not expensive at all, so avoid homemade mixtures). Fill it up until it reaches the maximum fill line.
- Your vehicle may have a rear wiper, which has a separate reservoir. Sometimes it is located closer to the trunk.
Liquid leak
If your car is older, there may be a leak in the circuit that runs from the reservoir to the nozzles. To check, it is best to top up the reservoir. After a while, check that the level is still at the maximum. If not, look for puddles on the ground (whenever possible) and feel the hoses in the windscreen wiper circuit to try to locate the leak.
Replacing one of these sleeves is not expensive, but depending on the model it can be somewhat complex.
Circuit obstruction
In addition to losing fluid, the circuit may become clogged. It is not common, but it is possible that dirt accumulates in the tank or that a blockage occurs in some area of the hoses or nozzles.
The most common thing to do in these cases is to use compressed air to move the particles, or a wire to unclog the pipes. After doing so, everything should be cleaned with plenty of water.
A common place where these blockages occur is in the diffuser, right where the water comes out towards the windshield. It is usually somewhat protected by the hood, but it is exposed to the elements and can be damaged. The check is simple, as it is enough to remove the hose that supplies it with liquid. If liquid comes out of it when we turn on the car, the blockage is in that diffuser, which you can unclog with a pin or needle.
It is a good time to check if these jets are correctly directed, which send the water towards the central and lower part of the glass. If not, dry areas may remain, which can damage the wipers or even the glass itself.
Electrical failure
If the problem is not in the fluid or its lines, there may be an electrical fault. There are several elements that can fail.
- Water Pump: This is the part that projects the liquid from the tank to the nozzles. It usually looks like a black cylinder, connected to the bottom of the water tank. You can check its status by turning off the car, disconnecting it and turning the vehicle back on. If you turn on the car and connect the windshield wipers and you notice a small noise, like a buzz, it means that it is receiving electricity…. So it needs to be changed. A professional would use a multimeter.
- Fuse: If the power is not coming through, it may simply be that you need to change a fuse in the car. Find which one it is (in the instruction booklet) and change it. Be careful, if you see that it shares a fuse with the windshield wiper arm and it moves… it is the pump that is failing.
- Security before everything: If you are having trouble detecting the problem or repairing the pump, or you have never handled electrical components of a vehicle, it is best to take the car to your trusted workshop.