Windshield Washer Reservoir: Description and Operation

Fig. 24 Washer Reservoir:

A single washer fluid reservoir is used for both the standard front and optional rear washer systems. The molded plastic washer fluid reservoir is secured to the left front fender wheel house in the engine compartment. A bright yellow plastic filler cap is labeled with the International Control and Display Symbol icon for "Windshield Washer" and the text "Washer Fluid Only" molded into it and highlighted in black. The cap hinges on a hinge molded into the cap and is secured to the reservoir by a hook molded into the top of the reservoir behind the filler neck. The cap snaps over the open end of the filler neck and is sealed with a rubber gasket.

There are separate, dedicated holes on the lower inboard side of the reservoir provided for the mounting of the front and rear washer/pump motor units. On models not equipped with the optional rear washer system, the rear washer pump/motor mounting hole in the washer reservoir is sealed with a plastic plug. The washer pump/motor units are secured and sealed to the reservoir by the interference fit between the barbed inlet nipple of each pump and a rubber grommet seal installed in each pump mounting hole. A locating tab on the bottom of the reservoir fits into a mating slot in the left front fender wheel house, and the reservoir is secured to the wheel house by two screws installed through two mounting tabs that are integral to the reservoir.

The washer reservoir cannot be repaired and, if faulty or damaged, it must be replaced. The reservoir filler cap is available for individual service replacement.

The washer fluid reservoir provides a secure, on-vehicle storage location for a large reserve of washer fluid for operation of the standard front and optional rear washer systems. The washer reservoir filler cap provides a clearly marked and readily accessible point from which to add washer fluid to the reservoir. The front and rear washer/pump motor units are located in a sump area on the inboard side of the reservoir to be certain that washer fluid will be available to the pumps as the fluid level in the reservoir becomes depleted. The front washer pump/ motor unit is mounted in the lowest position in the sump so that the front washers will operate even after the rear washer system will no longer operate.