Diy Windsreen Washer Motor Repair / Re-Conditioning

[XGTRX]

Long story short is my rear window washer motor stopped working 6 months ago and then my front window washer 1 month ago.

Step by step guide to fix the issue:

Time: 20 minutes to an hour, 2 days to completely re-install and operate.

Tools: Socket set, test light, Multi-grips, WD40, Silicon sealant, steak knife, tooth picks, cotton buds, scourer, rags

Check to see if there is power to the washer motors which are located in the front of the washer bottle.

1. Pull the electrical plugs and use a test light. Ignition on and get someone to fire up the washers from the stalk. In my case had power to both plugs so I cleaned the connectors on the motors plugged them back in and tried again. No luck so the motors had seized. If you have no power with your test light check the fuses i suppose.

Removing the motors:

1. Take the washer bottle out with 10mm socket on the 2 screws. Pull the electrical connector. Lift the bottle.

2. Tip the bottle so the pumps are facing up and disconnect the tubing. Don't disconnect the tubing with the bottle in its normal position or water will leak everywhere.

3. Take the bottle out and tip out the water.

4. The motors are held in place by rubber grommets so just pull the motors in different angles to pries them free.

5. Motors are out.

Taking the motors apart and getting them to work again

So the motors are basically plastic cylinders with a brush electrical motor in it that spins an impeller that pushes water into the washer pipe. So its not spinning, so lets have a look.

1. The plastic case has 2 ends that are removable. I tried to pry it open but couldn't so i just started cutting with a knife and then i could get them off.

2. The bottom of the motor has the impeller (where the water outlet is), the top has the guide for the shaft of the armature.

3. I then tried to spin the impeller with my fingers and it was locked then i gently turned the shaft and impeller and got some movement but there was a lot of resistance. we have found the problem.

4. Use the tip of a knife to take the impeller off (gently).

5. At the other end use multi-grips on the shaft and pull and twist to free the armature from the magnets and take the armature out.

6. So you are left with a pretty dirty motor in pieces. Time to clean

7 If you look in you will see the contacts and at the base is where the armature shaft contacts the guide..... filth.

8. Using tooth picks, cotton buds and WD40 I rubbed and cleaned everything I could see. Especially the magnets, armature coils (use scourer), and other contact points. Use the toothpicks to move the contacts out of the way to get to the bottom support which is usually filthy. A note, dont use steel wool as the filings might attach to the magnets and cause issues with the armature.

9. All clean.

10. Now time to put it back together. Slide the armature back in and carefully slide the shaft in between the contacts, push a bit so it goes into the home position and put the top back on. Make sure the shaft is in the guide and tape the top cover down to hold it in.

11. Put the impeller on the shaft the right way (flat side out and line up the flat edge on the shaft). Spin the impeller with your fingers and admire how freely it spins. Now put the end back on and tape it on.

Testing the operation of the motor

Now its time to see if it works

1. With a taped up motor go back to the car and connect the motor to the connector and fire up the washers from the stalk. Listen to the music as your motor buzzes away. Just like new.

Resealing the motor

Need to reseal the motor with bathroom silicon sealant. Just pull an end off at a time and apply some sealant with your finger where the cap mates with the cylinder edge and put it back on. Don't get any inside as it could foul the motor as it spins.

Then rub some sealant around the edge it to seal it. Then do the other end.

Then let them sit for 2 days and re-install everything.

Just a hint with the washer bottle re-installation is that it has a small lip the fits under a little mount on the drivers side edge, so put this in first then do the 2 screws up.

Fill it up with water and admire your work.

Done

Hope this helps....cheers

[gts25]

Awesome DIY. Good stuff..

[ausdrift]

great stuff!!

[Tommy Kaira RL]

Good job. I should try this next time.

Another trick i have tried is reversing the polarity on the motor back and forward and after a few goes it will start spinning.