How to fix a clogged windshield washer nozzle
Several conditions make your windshield washer doesn't spray the water. It could be the clogged nozzle, bad motor washer, an empty washer tank, a blown a fuse, disconnected wiring harness of washer motor, etc. So, before you fix the clogged windshield washer nozzle, be sure the one that is clogged is the nozzle.
To ensure that's clogged is the nozzle, do some inspection such as:
- Make sure that there is full enough water inside the washer tank
- Turn on the ignition key and press the washer button. The motor washer should vibrate and make some whining sound.
- Ensure that the water can reach the end of the hose connected to the clogged washer spray nozzle when you turn ON the washer button.
- If you doubt, use pliers to pull out the hose connected to the clogged windshield washer nozzle. Turn ON the washer motor, and the water should come out from the hose.
After we make sure the clogged one is the nozzle, here is some preparation you need before we fix the clogged windshield washer nozzle.
- A Pin (make sure that the pin is strong enough and have the same diameter with nozzle hole)
- Pliers
- A bowl of vinegar
- A bottle of contact cleaner spray
Read step by step to fix the clogged windshield washer nozzle below.
1. Remove the washer spray nozzle from the hood
The windshield washer nozzle is held in place by plastic stoppers (clipping mechanism). Use pliers to remove the washer spray nozzle from the hood. Squeeze the plastic stoppers together and press them upward.
Do this carefully because the washer spray nozzle is mainly made of plastic. If old enough, the spray nozzle can be broken or damaged when we squeeze the stoppers.
2. Press a pin into each hole on the washer spray nozzle
Use a pin and press it into each hole on the washer spray nozzle. Remove and wipe away any clogs that come out with it. Do the same thing with the hole on the washer spray nozzle where the water comes in.
Press the pin as far as you can safely remove it. Remember that the washer spray nozzle was made of plastic which can easily be damaged when you press the pin hard.
Read also:3. Soak the windshield washer nozzle in a bowl of vinegar
Take a bowl of vinegar and soak the windshield washer nozzle in it. Try to get some vinegar to get into the holes in there. Wait for an hour to make the clogs inside the windshield washer nozzle are dissolved.
4. Blow the holes with contact cleaner spray
After the windshield washer nozzle has been soaking, remove it from the vinegar. Take the contact cleaner bottle that we have prepared before.
Arrange the nozzle spray of the contact cleaner to the washer spray nozzle. Blow the holes with contact cleaner spray until the clogs are removed, and the holes are cleaned.
5. Reinstall the windshield washer nozzle
After the spray nozzle holes are clean and can blow the air from contact cleaner spray, the last thing to do is reinstall the nozzle to the hood. Put the nozzle back to the hole on the hood, make sure it's facing the right direction, and snap it in place.
Don't forget to reattach the hose, push it onto the inlet of the spray nozzle and make sure it is tight enough. If everything went well, the nozzle should work.