Washer Fluid Sprays Randomly

[conjohncept]

I was driving down the road today and out of no where, my washer fluid started sprayed randomly. I was wondering how I could fix this?

Thank you

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds like a short. probably in the multifunction switch.

for a temporary fix you could just unplug the electrical connection at the washer motor. but id pull the switch out and do some investigating.

 

[RobbieD]

I dunno. We had a cat like that once. Had him neutered. Fixed the problem.

Seriously, though, I agree with Wicked. Sounds like a short in the multifunction switch.

 

[kunar]

I dunno. We had a cat like that once. Had him neutered. Fixed the problem.

i agree. you should immediately remove the testicles from your truck to prevent any more 'random spraying'

 

[Bill]

My 95 does it sometimes when I drive past one of the local transmitters (100 kilowatt ERP) here. Sometimes it makes the horn chirp too.

Any transmitters in your area?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

theres no way a radio transmitter should be able to activate the 12 volt electronics in your truck...

 

[LearjetMinako]

Its a short in the multifunction switch. Just take it apart and clean some of the grease out of it. I had the same problem. But it only did it when I was thinking about washing the windshield. Its as if it was reading my mind.

 

[cocoasranger]

theres no way a radio transmitter should be able to activate the 12 volt electronics in your truck...

Not so fast. A year ago they started constructing a water tower about a quarter mile from an operating radio station tower in my town. Shortly after starting construction they had to shut down the station till the tower was finished due to the workers receiving repeated serious shocks. Seems that this scenario is at least possible.

 

[Bill]

theres no way a radio transmitter should be able to activate the 12 volt electronics in your truck...

Two things.

The first is induction. When you move through an electromagnetic field voltage is induced in wiring, car body, or both.

The second, does it take 12 volts to activate the washer pump? Probably not.

The horn will probably work at a much lower voltage than the washer pump.

Also, if relays are involved, it only takes enough voltage to close the relay to get something working.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

theres no relays on the washer circuit. id have to check, but i dont think theres one on the horn circuit either.

if you were driving through a strong enough magnetic field to induce even 5V in your trucks wiring, you would have one fried PCM in a hurry.

 

[Mark_88]

Just wear the red tinfoil hat...it protects against EMF's...unless you're near a nuclear power station...then you may need to wear a red and a green one...

But, all seriousness aside, I would go with cleaning the switch...unless you notice that it does only happen in certain areas...then it could be induction...but I'd be contacting the local FCC office to complain...that is unsafe...

 

[dcampbell]

surefire way to remedy ,dont fill up resevoir again.

 

[Mark_88]

surefire way to remedy ,dont fill up resevoir again.

That would work...

 

[Bill]

theres no relays on the washer circuit. id have to check, but i dont think theres one on the horn circuit either.

if you were driving through a strong enough magnetic field to induce even 5V in your trucks wiring, you would have one fried PCM in a hurry.

There is a good chance the PCM was designed with RFI immunity in mind.