*HELP* 2001 PT Cruiser Windshield Sprayer Not Working

I hope someone can help me. I have a 2001 PT Cruiser LE that the front
windshield sprayer isn't working. It was working fine up until 2 weeks
ago. My washer reservoir had ran empty and I refilled it with blue
fluid from Walmart. At that time, both the front and the back washers
worked ok after I refilled the reservoir. But I just noticed a couple
of days ago that the front one doesn't work at all now, only the back
one. I looked under the hood and took the hose off where it connects
under the hood to check and see if the sprayer itself was clogged and
I couldn't get anything to come out of the hose at all when I tried
it. Any ideas??

Tommy

 

How cold is it where you are at? Did you use full strength "blue
stuff" before you added the new stuff? It could have possibly froze
in the hose and the new stuff can't get thru. If all you did was add
new fluid and nothing else, I would suspect this. The earlier stuff
may have been from Fall and not been full strength. GOOD LUCK

 

The washer pump motor runs in one direction for the front sprayers, and
reverse for the rear window. Check to see that the pump motor is running at
all for the front sprayers. There may be a loose connection in the wiring
or a connector. Obviously the motor does run, so it is a matter of
connections, maybe even the switch.

 

you may still even be under the 3 year/36,000 mile warrantee

ask DCM (the dealer)

H

 

I live in Mississippi, so it stays above freezing most of the time.
How do I check to see if the motor for the front is running? When I
hit the switch I can hear something (the motor I guess) like it's
trying to spray, just no spray comes out.

 

This may sound crazy, and I'm not trying to be a wisenheimer, but have
you filled the reservoir?

I has been known for some owners to go for years without having to fill
it up (because the service dept. does it) and then are shocked that it
isn't a "continuous fill" item, drawing fluid from who-knows-where.

It could be that the reservoir is cracked too and it all leaks out
before you have time to push the button!

Dan

 

"dgates-at-keller - no - space - engineering - dot - com"

read the original post again dan, the rear works so its not leaking out...

its a clog in a line somewhere, I would disconnect the line near the motor
and try again.

 

Forgive me for ignorance, but can any of you describe where the motor is exactly?

 

It is noted, in the service manual, that the washer reservoir is at the
right cowl, and the pump motor is attached to the reservoir. It is noted
that the windshield wipers should be at the uppermost position before
working on the washer system. Turn the ignition key to accessory position
and turn on the wiper system. When the wipers are vertical, turn the
ignition switch to OFF. Disconnect the negative battery terminal. Remove
the right cowl cover. Remove the rear engine compartment seal at the cowl.
From there you will find the retainers for the washer system. You can go
from there.

 

On one car that I owned it used a small backflow valve in-line in the
tubing. It sometimes clogged or just plain failed and had to be
replaced.

 

Don't know the PT but most vehicles have a separate reservoir for front
and back.

Dan

 

the PT uses the same reservoir...

the pump is part of the reservoir, and works in reverse when the rear wash
is selected.

Punch