As a driver, it’s important that nothing impairs your vision or focus while driving. A basic way to ensure that you have a clear vision is by keeping your windshield clean at all times. This means that you’d need to be able to clean off dirt while driving without having to step out of your car.
This is where windshield wiper fluid comes in. But what happens when the fluid fails to do its job?
In this post, we’ll be explaining what you need to do when your windshield wiper refuses to come out on one side.
1. Low-Fluid Level
To begin, you need to check the fluid level. You can do this by simply looking at it in the reservoir. If there is a little bit of fluid left in it, that’s good! But if you’re out of fluid, don’t panic.
Add more until it reaches the bottom of the reservoir and then test again so you know everything has been replenished properly. Once you’ve done all of that and are happy with your results, try using your windshield wiper blades again to see if they’re working now.
If that doesn’t work for some reason, there might be something else wrong with your car or truck’s wiper system which would require further investigation.
2. Faulty Wiper Arm
- Check for loose connections
If you haven’t checked your wiper arms, now’s the time. Make sure that they’re firmly mounted and that there is no corrosion on the connectors or in any of the joints.
- Check for any obstructions
If you’ve recently driven through a big rainstorm, check to see if your windshield wipers may have gotten wet and frozen in place after being used (if so, try warming them up).
Also, consider whether there might be any debris stuck in between your wiper motor and motor housing or anywhere else along its path, a small piece of dirt or grime could cause major headaches.
- Check for any damage
Check both sides of each arm by using an inspection mirror to look at them from underneath. Look closely at what’s going on inside each one; if something looks like it’s out of place then take note so that you can fix it later on down the road.
3. Faulty Pump Relay
Next, you’ll want to check the fuse for the pump relay. This is a fuse located in your fuse block, which is on the driver’s side of your engine compartment.
If there’s no problem with that, inspect the pump relay itself. It should be solidly mounted to your car frame with two bolts and should not have any loose connections. If it does, tighten them up or replace the parts altogether if they’re damaged beyond repair.
At this point, if you’ve already replaced all components involved (including any additional relays), then you may have an internal issue with your wiper motor assembly itself that needs further investigation by a professional mechanic for diagnosis and repair options.
4. Faulty Wiper Motor Fuse
If you have checked the wiper fluid tank and still can’t find a leak, check the fuse box. You will find it on your dashboard or near the steering column. It has a cover that pops open when you pull it down.
In this panel, look for a fuse marked “wiper motor.” If this fuse is blown, you can replace it with any 5-amp fuse and then test your wipers to see if they work now.
5. Clogged Nozzle
If you’re having trouble with the windshield wipers, check for a clogged nozzle. To do this, turn the ignition on and then turn it off. Open the hood of your car and look for a small white cap on one side of the wiper assembly. This is where you will find your nozzles.
Try to clear any debris from within them using either a pin (if there is just a little bit of stuff), toothpick (if there’s more), paper clip (for really stubborn stuff), or wire hanger if nothing else works.
6. Clogged or Damaged Connectors
If you have a wiper fluid that’s not coming out, the first thing to check is if the connector has become damaged or clogged. If this is the case, it needs to be cleaned or replaced.
To test this theory, remove both ends of your wiper fluid connector and clean them with soap and water or alcohol. Then, reinstall them on your car and see if this fixes the problem.
If it does not solve your problem then you may need to replace one or both connectors because they’ve become damaged from use over time.
7. Blown Washer Pump Fuse
If the fuse is blown, you will need to replace it. The fuse box can be found under your hood and is usually located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Once you have located your fuse box, find a blown fuse and replace it with a new one of the same amperage (the value printed on each fuse).
If you do not have a blown fuse, check for issues with your wiper motor by removing it from its mountings underneath your hood and testing it for continuity.
Read: Battery And Brake Light On
Conclusion
There are a few things you can do if your windshield wiper fluid is not coming out on one side. You can check the fluid level and make sure it’s full, check the wiper arm to see if it needs replacing, check for clogged nozzle or connectors, or replace the pump relay. If none of these things work then maybe you need to replace the whole motor as well.
Ugo is a passionate car enthusiast with a Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree and hands-on experience in troubleshooting and fixing automobiles.
I combine my electrical and mechanical engineering knowledge with practical skills to address car-related issues.
My love for cars and dedication to educating others led to the creation of Fixandtroubleshoot.com!
