Windshield Washer Pump: Description and Operation
WASHER PUMP/MOTORDESCRIPTION
The washer pump/motor unit is located on the top of a sump area of the washer reservoir, on the outboard side of the right front frame rail ahead of the right front wheel house splash shield. A small permanently lubricated and sealed reversible electric motor (3) is coupled to the rotor-type washer pump (4). The use of an integral valve body (7) allows the washer pump/motor unit to provide washer fluid to either the front or the rear washer systems, depending upon the direction of the motor/pump impeller rotation.
An inlet nipple (6) on the pump housing passes through a rubber grommet seal/filter screen installed in a dedicated mounting hole of the washer reservoir sump. The filter screen prevents most debris from entering the pump housing. When the pump is installed in the reservoir the front barbed outlet nipple (5) on the pump valve body housing connects the unit to the front washer hose, and the rear barbed outlet nipple (8) connects the unit to the rear washer hose. The letters "F" and "R" molded into the valve body housing adjacent to each nipple provide further clarification of the nipple assignments.
The washer pump/motor unit is retained on the reservoir by the interference fit between the pump inlet nipple and the grommet seal, which is a light press fit. The top of the washer pump is also secured to the washer reservoir by the use of a snap fit between the motor housing and a receptacle molded into the reservoir that allows for mounting of the washer pump without the use of fasteners. An integral connector receptacle (1) on the top of the motor housing connects the unit to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated take out and connector of the headlamp and dash wire harness.
The washer pump/motor unit cannot be repaired. If inoperative or damaged, the entire washer pump/motor unit must be replaced.
OPERATION
The washer pump/motor unit features a reversible electric motor. The direction of the motor is controlled by hard wired outputs from the momentary front and rear washer switch circuitry contained within the right (wiper) control stalk of the multi-function switch. When battery current and ground are applied to the two pump motor terminals, the motor rotates in one direction. When the polarity of these connections is reversed, the motor rotates in the opposite direction.
When the pump motor is energized, the rotor-type pump pressurizes the washer fluid and forces it through one of the two pump outlet nipples, and into the front or rear washer plumbing. Washer fluid is drawn through the pump inlet nipple from the washer reservoir to the inlet port of the washer pump housing. An integral valve body is located in a housing on the outlet port side (2) of the pump housing. A diaphragm (4) in this valve body controls which washer system plumbing receives the washer fluid being pressurized by the pump. When the pump is not operating the diaphragm is biased to close all washer fluid flow in the rear washer system and, in this way it also performs the function of the rear washer system check valve.
When the pump impeller (1) rotates in the counterclockwise direction (viewed from the bottom), the biased diaphragm is sealing off the rear washer system outlet and nipple so the pressurized washer fluid is pushed out through the pump front outlet port and the front washer outlet nipple (5). When the pump impeller rotates in the clockwise direction (viewed from the bottom), pressurized washer fluid is pushed out through the pump rear outlet port and moves the diaphragm to open the rear washer outlet nipple and seal off the front washer outlet nipple, then the pressurized washer fluid is pushed out through the rear washer outlet nipple (3).
The washer pump/motor unit may be diagnosed using conventional diagnostic tools and methods.