I am just curious if anyone can shead some light on this "issue" I am having. A few months ago while on an off roading trip I noticed my windshield washer fluid was out when I hit the button. Didnt think anything of it at the time. When I got home I noticed that the rubber "feeder" tube came off at the bottom of the windshield washer reservoir. I didnt see any evidence of a clap missing or anything. So I just put the tube back on. Within one day the tube came off and the reservior emptied out again. So this was a real easy fix with a zip-tie.

Now the "issue" I am having is when I hit the windshield washer fluid button there is a delay, until the fluid comes out. Its almost like the the fluid motor needs to be primed or something. Its really not a big deal to me because it does work, but I just cant figure out what is causing this delay. In the past the fluid would come out as soon as I hit the button and now it takes about 3-4 seconds before the fluid comes out.

Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?

 

sounds like something in line is clogging it and perhaps until it has enough pressure slowing it down..those lines are pretty long and not very big and its easy for dirt or line to be pinched....G

 

Thats an interesting thought, didnt think of that. I will pull the line this weekend to see if that is what is causing this.

 

I don't know the year of your truck but my '88's windshield washer pump sits at the very bottom of the windshield washer bottle so that gravity primes it. The windshield washer pump is a electric motor and as the motor wears it will take longer for the motor to get up to speed so it could be that the motor is worn out. Poor electrical connections will have similar effects. A clogged or partly clogged pump will have different issue's, it will not build up hardly any pressure. If the line leaks near the pump it would have to refill the lines everytime it's used which would cause a delay, does it leak?

 

Yes, clog in line looks more like it if high pressure in line makes it pop off the connector. Also check pump for clogging. I found gel-like sediment when I first got my truck.

 

Sorry I forgot to mention I have a 92. I really need to update my signature.

Well this should be interesting. I have never messed with this before on any of my trucks because this issue has never come up before. I will check the line and the pump (I first have to find out what it looks like). This should be an interesting little goose chase.

 

On my '88... there is 1 bolt holding in the bottle to the radiator support, remove the bolt and lift the bottle straight up. The pump comes up with the bottle.

 

One other thing to check is clogged spray nozzle's .I waxed my 87 4runner and the next time I went to use my washer just a dribble came out. A quick poke in each sprayer problem solved. I used a straightened small staple from a office stapler held in a small pair of vise grips. Hope this helps. you can separate the washer line at the hood and try the washers to see what kind of flow you get.Mine sprayed all over the place thats when I knew it was time to check the nozzles

 

One other thought just came to me . Depending on where you live your fluid may have frozen or turned to slush in the lines. Just an idea. I have seen that happen .A person drives up north during the winter from Florida and their fluid freezes enough to crack the reservoir. check the temp rating on the jug of fluid when you buy it. Commonsense I know but just saying.

 

I would check the lines as well. If the pump and seal is getting weak, I found a Sienna washer pump in the boneyard that the seal was still good and the pump is alot newer. I would guess around 95-2005 model. I dont know the vans very well but works great. Sure alot of other models will work as well. I could of bought new, but I am a cheap scape. $2.

 

:jessica: i think I have replaced every windshield washer pump and lines and some nozzles.

To me getting spray off and being able to see is very important.

 

Do most of the Toyota models use the same washer pumps, lines and bottles? I busted the motor on my accidentally and now that it's winter time in Minnesota I need to be able to see again

 

If it looks like this you can get it at Autozone or O'reillys

 

On some models, the hose that feeds the hood mounted nozzles gets pinched in the RH hood hinge. I'd check for kinks there.
Also, you might just take the hose loose and hook up a temp hose, activate the washer and verify rate and apparent pressure.
If you get one at the junkyard, I'd recommend the vans, as they have RR window washers, so the pump is likely sized a bit bigger. However, the tanks are not the same do to space constraints being diff on every vehicle, but the fitting to the tank usually is the same if the models are fairly close in year.

 

Hm, in that case I'll probably just try to stick with pickups. Out of curiosity do the runner pumps fit the pickups?

 

Well I checked the lines and nozzels and everything is free and clear. I guess its the pump which looks insanely easy to replace, but at this time I think I am just going to leave it be. It does work and does so just fine. I just cant think why there is a little delay when you use it for the first time. Its like its trying to prime itself, but after that it works just fine. Guess my truck just got some more character. Now on to some more pressing issues. Thanks guys for the suggestions.