Hi, I have a 2015 Screw Plat and all of a sudden the windshield washer works intermittently. I pull the stalk and I can hear the pump but I get nothing but if I pull the stock and let it go a bunch of times, it sometimes sprays then stops. Anyone experience this? The pump must be hidden behind a panel as I don't see it or the lines to the spray nozzels. This is a most inopportune time for this to happen

 

i wouldn't suspect the pump as much as i would frozen fluid in the lines . the pump is in the bottom of the washer tank

 

Well the search function on here isn't great but I googled the subject and it looped me back to this forum and a valve in the line may be the issue. I'm going to try that route first

 

Well, the good news is that the washer fluid system isn't very intricate, so you should be able to diagnose yourself fairly easily. It''s either no power at the pump, bad pump, weak pump, plugged pump due to slimy sludge of some solvents, frozen or plugged lines / check valve. It seems a lot of people with 2015's had issue with the slimy gunk building up at the bottom of the reservoir and causing weak stream or no stream at all. I would assume that the 2015's are affected because they're the oldest and have had time for the solvent gunk to build up and cause issues.

I think it's safe to say you have power at the pump based on your details. If you don't have concerns with frozen lines, I would be inclined to suspect a clogged pump or a check valve issue. The easiest test would be to access the check valve first and remove the outlet line to check if you're getting adequate fluid flow. If not, remove the valve from the inlet side and see if you get adequate fluid flow. If you do, then I'd say the valve is plugged or defective. If you still get no flow, I'd drain the reservoir and pull the pump and clean it out. The pump can be accessed from the passenger side wheel well by removing the liner. The YT video below shows where it's at and kind of what you need to do.


Here is a YT video for accessing the check valve:

 

Thank you Jbone!!

 

Good news is that a washer pump is only $12 on Tasca! Not too bad at all.

 

Bad news is I have a 600 mile drive tomorrow through the mountains. Hope the drilling of the check valve does the trick. Fingers crossed!

 

Did you have good flow before the check valve, but not after?

 

Drilled out the check valve and it works like a charm now! Thanks F150 Forum!!!

 

Often times the bottom of the fluid res. will clog down at the screen from non usage so if you can hear the pump running, need a quick fix, then...

Disconnect the hose that comes from the res (up by the battery at the tee where it feeds the wipers) and blow back into it. It will dislodge the crud in the screen at the bottom of the res. Run the pump for about 20-30 seconds to help flush and refill the res.

Quick, temp fix.