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Windshield washer not working -- no fluid coming out

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Wildtrak
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Has happened to me with my Wildtrak multiple times. Random occurrence for sure but does frustrate me. Interested if Ford is aware of this and what the permanent fix is.
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BrentC

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Has happened to me with my Wildtrak multiple times. Random occurrence for sure but does frustrate me. Interested if Ford is aware of this and what the permanent fix is.
I just had my Bronco in for a service and I logged this complaint as this issue happens to me once in a while. Of course it was working fine when I took my rig in…

The service tech said there’s no TSB on this matter, at least up here in Canazuela.
 

Ford Motor Company

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Has happened to me with my Wildtrak multiple times. Random occurrence for sure but does frustrate me. Interested if Ford is aware of this and what the permanent fix is.
Hi there, Robert. This windshield washer fluid concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Bronco. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.
 

Scari

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Has happened to me with my Wildtrak multiple times. Random occurrence for sure but does frustrate me. Interested if Ford is aware of this and what the permanent fix is.
Was this ever figured out? I’m now having the same issue.
 

Bonnie6G

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Was this ever figured out? I’m now having the same issue.
I’ve had the same issue once a few weeks back. It happened to be a very cold day so I chalked it up to maybe something had frozen up (though I thought washer fluid was designed not to freeze easily). I made sure the reservoir was full, but it just didn’t work the entire way home from the trail. The next day I went to do a full check of the system at the house and it magically worked again.
 

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Combustion_King

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tooth pick, compressed air, idk look?
 

Scari

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I’ve had the same issue once a few weeks back. It happened to be a very cold day so I chalked it up to maybe something had frozen up (though I thought washer fluid was designed not to freeze easily). I made sure the reservoir was full, but it just didn’t work the entire way home from the trail. The next day I went to do a full check of the system at the house and it magically worked again.
Mine just stopped working. Only the drivers side. It spurts a tiny bit when I put it on and then stops right away. Passenger and rear are fine.
 

lapazleo

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I’ve had the same issue once a few weeks back. It happened to be a very cold day so I chalked it up to maybe something had frozen up (though I thought washer fluid was designed not to freeze easily). I made sure the reservoir was full, but it just didn’t work the entire way home from the trail. The next day I went to do a full check of the system at the house and it magically worked again.
The standard blue washer fluid freezes quite easily at typical winter temps. During normal winter temps you should use purple or orange winter blend fluids and with the arctic temps we've had the last couple weeks the yellow deicer fluid may be needed. Standard blue fluid is mostly water with a little alcohol and detergent. It will freeze easily overnight and won't thaw out till the engine warms up the engine bay. When you consider the diameter of wiper fluid hoses it doesn't take much for them to freeze.
 

Brian_B

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The standard blue washer fluid freezes quite easily at typical winter temps
This is true.

For whatever absolutely ever-retard-loving reason it’s illegal in California to buy the cold weather won’t-freeze stuff.

You have to roll your own - mix about a cup or two of Isopropyl (not denatured) in with a gallon of the blue or green stuff.
 

Moto26

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I FOUND THE SOLUTION! 😲

Well... maybe.

Okay, so the first year we had the Bronco, we had this issue several times. Like, at least once every month or two, and most of the time it's hot here, so I doubt the cold/ice has anything to do with it (unless that's another unrelated issue, which it could be). The first couple of times, I thought the tank was low, since you can't see the fluid level visually, and I didn't even realize there's an indicator that comes on when it actually is low. Obviously, that wasn't the problem. And like many of you, this issue comes and goes at random with no clear reason.

Last year (I don't remember exactly when, but it's been several months at least) I started thinking that maybe it has something to do with the washer fluid tank experiencing a vacuum, as if it's not venting properly. So I figured I'd try something:

I drilled a tiny hole, I think about 3/32", in the filler cap. Couldn't do any harm either way. Well, guess what?

We haven't had a single incident of the washer fluid not spraying since then!

Now, does this prove anything? Of course not. It's purely anecdotal evidence, and it could just be coincidence. But we haven't changed anything else, and for some reason we haven't had the issue again.

So if you want to give it a try, it certainly won't hurt anything. You're not going to lose fluid, and it just might work. If anyone here wants to do the same, please post here if you still have a problem afterward. Likewise, if we ever have the issue pop up again on our Bronco, I'll revisit this thread and edit this post...

Good luck!
 

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Scari

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tooth pick, compressed air, idk look?
i
I FOUND THE SOLUTION! 😲

Well... maybe.

Okay, so the first year we had the Bronco, we had this issue several times. Like, at least once every month or two, and most of the time it's hot here, so I doubt the cold/ice has anything to do with it (unless that's another unrelated issue, which it could be). The first couple of times, I thought the tank was low, since you can't see the fluid level visually, and I didn't even realize there's an indicator that comes on when it actually is low. Obviously, that wasn't the problem. And like many of you, this issue comes and goes at random with no clear reason.

Last year (I don't remember exactly when, but it's been several months at least) I started thinking that maybe it has something to do with the washer fluid tank experiencing a vacuum, as if it's not venting properly. So I figured I'd try something:

I drilled a tiny hole, I think about 3/32", in the filler cap. Couldn't do any harm either way. Well, guess what?

We haven't had a single incident of the washer fluid not spraying since then!

Now, does this prove anything? Of course not. It's purely anecdotal evidence, and it could just be coincidence. But we haven't changed anything else, and for some reason we haven't had the issue again.

So if you want to give it a try, it certainly won't hurt anything. You're not going to lose fluid, and it just might work. If anyone here wants to do the same, please post here if you still have a problem afterward. Likewise, if we ever have the issue pop up again on our Bronco, I'll revisit this thread and edit this post...

Good luck!

I ended up calling my local dealer and asking about it. They said this is something they have seen with some regularity and set an appointment to replace the motor. It’s covered by my warranty so I’m just going to let them deal with it. Thanks for the tip though!
 

BDSQWCH

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Mine seems to stop working everytime it freezes and still doesn'twork after it thaws, usually I hear the motor but no fluid comes out but this time there's absolutely nothing. Possibly a fuse by my concern is that it happens too often. It's probably happened 4 or 5 times in 2.5 yrs.
 

CObronco8289

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I FOUND THE SOLUTION! 😲

Well... maybe.

Okay, so the first year we had the Bronco, we had this issue several times. Like, at least once every month or two, and most of the time it's hot here, so I doubt the cold/ice has anything to do with it (unless that's another unrelated issue, which it could be). The first couple of times, I thought the tank was low, since you can't see the fluid level visually, and I didn't even realize there's an indicator that comes on when it actually is low. Obviously, that wasn't the problem. And like many of you, this issue comes and goes at random with no clear reason.

Last year (I don't remember exactly when, but it's been several months at least) I started thinking that maybe it has something to do with the washer fluid tank experiencing a vacuum, as if it's not venting properly. So I figured I'd try something:

I drilled a tiny hole, I think about 3/32", in the filler cap. Couldn't do any harm either way. Well, guess what?

We haven't had a single incident of the washer fluid not spraying since then!

Now, does this prove anything? Of course not. It's purely anecdotal evidence, and it could just be coincidence. But we haven't changed anything else, and for some reason we haven't had the issue again.

So if you want to give it a try, it certainly won't hurt anything. You're not going to lose fluid, and it just might work. If anyone here wants to do the same, please post here if you still have a problem afterward. Likewise, if we ever have the issue pop up again on our Bronco, I'll revisit this thread and edit this post...

Good luck!
I had the same instance. Wasn’t working on the last part of a road trip, particularly buggy, recently filled the tank, consumed about a 1/4 tank. Got to my destination and pulled off my windshield cowl. Disconnected line before the washer nozzles to see it shoot across the driveway without doing anything further. Reconnected and reassembled everything and I worked for a day. Next time I drove it, I cracked the cap open and drove off. Tried for a few days like that, no issues. Snapped the cap closed and later that day, stopped working again. Cap is currently cracked open and no issues whatsoever. I’m pretty sure my issues are a hydrolock situation.. warm or cold doesn’t matter.
 

Moto26

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I FOUND THE SOLUTION! 😲

Well... maybe.

Okay, so the first year we had the Bronco, we had this issue several times. Like, at least once every month or two, and most of the time it's hot here, so I doubt the cold/ice has anything to do with it (unless that's another unrelated issue, which it could be). The first couple of times, I thought the tank was low, since you can't see the fluid level visually, and I didn't even realize there's an indicator that comes on when it actually is low. Obviously, that wasn't the problem. And like many of you, this issue comes and goes at random with no clear reason.

Last year (I don't remember exactly when, but it's been several months at least) I started thinking that maybe it has something to do with the washer fluid tank experiencing a vacuum, as if it's not venting properly. So I figured I'd try something:

I drilled a tiny hole, I think about 3/32", in the filler cap. Couldn't do any harm either way. Well, guess what?

We haven't had a single incident of the washer fluid not spraying since then!

Now, does this prove anything? Of course not. It's purely anecdotal evidence, and it could just be coincidence. But we haven't changed anything else, and for some reason we haven't had the issue again.

So if you want to give it a try, it certainly won't hurt anything. You're not going to lose fluid, and it just might work. If anyone here wants to do the same, please post here if you still have a problem afterward. Likewise, if we ever have the issue pop up again on our Bronco, I'll revisit this thread and edit this post...

Good luck!
Oh yeah, here’s an update!

Still working fine! Seriously, it’s been at least a year since I drilled the little hole in the filler cap, and we haven’t had a single instance where the washer failed to work. As far as I’m concerned, this is the fix. I recommend trying it. It can’t hurt anything, and it just might cure your issue for good… 😊
 

Johnson

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I had the same instance. Wasn’t working on the last part of a road trip, particularly buggy, recently filled the tank, consumed about a 1/4 tank. Got to my destination and pulled off my windshield cowl. Disconnected line before the washer nozzles to see it shoot across the driveway without doing anything further. Reconnected and reassembled everything and I worked for a day. Next time I drove it, I cracked the cap open and drove off. Tried for a few days like that, no issues. Snapped the cap closed and later that day, stopped working again. Cap is currently cracked open and no issues whatsoever. I’m pretty sure my issues are a hydrolock situation.. warm or cold doesn’t matter.
I'm taking my 2021 in next week for the same thing plus recalls. I discovered it would not work when it was hot here in AZ. I took it in once before and of course the shop is air conditioned, so it worked for the mechanic. The pump can be heard running but no fluid comes out. Looking at the system schematic, there seems to be only two electrical components and since the pump seems to run, I would start the other (don't know the name).
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