Pump, clogged nozzle, failed nonreturn valve...

 

The washer fluid goes through the rear wiper motor, which has a tendency to allow grease into the washer fluid passage, clogging both the motor and the jets in the arm. You can pop off the interior upper tailgate, upper trim(the clips are delicate, use care) and disconnect the hose to the pump to ensure that's where the problem lies.

Sometimes they can be cleared out, but sometimes you will find staining on the inside of the upper tailgate trim, which means the pump itself is leaking washer fluid/grease, and will require replacement.

 

The washer fluid goes through the rear wiper motor, which has a tendency to allow grease into the washer fluid passage, clogging both the motor and the jets in the arm. You can pop off the interior upper tailgate, upper trim(the clips are delicate, use care) and disconnect the hose to the pump to ensure that's where the problem lies.

Sometimes they can be cleared out, but sometimes you will find staining on the inside of the upper tailgate trim, which means the pump itself is leaking washer fluid/grease, and will require replacement.

Long shot here - can anyone point me to the steps to remove the interior upper tailgate and upper trim please? I don't want to get anything wrong...

Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks for the insight. This evening I will pop off the cover and begin the inspection process.

 

I had the same problem and used some small bits of wire to clear the nozzles (there are two of them). Thankfully everything up to the nozzle housing was working fine. Tried compressed air from the supply end and that did't work but running the wire through he nozzles from the outside did the trick.

-John
'07 RRSC

 

The 2003-2005 model has three pumps - windshield, headlights, and rear window. Mine was bad and replaced. The wiper motor also leaked and was opened and cleaned and resealed with 3M 4200 marine caulk. Lastly, the nozzle under the wiper arm cover was clogged.

My point is, it may not be one issue. I think my nozzle clogged and the previous owner kept trying to use it and the back pressure caused the motor to leak. Eventually the motor burned out due to repeated failed attempts.

 

I had the blocked rear washer issue.
Took off the internal tailgate trim (top) and the rear spoiler to give me access.
Took the hose off the wiper assembly and checked, fluid coming out OK.
Took the cover off the pivot part of the wiper - the bit with the nozzles. This was gunked up.
Cleaned it, tested and was amazed at how far a badly aligned nozzle can spray fluid!!
Used a pin to realign and now all OK.

 

Quick question...

What happens when you hit the front window washer switch?

 

I Just get washer fluid from the front wipers.
Can't see if the headlight ones do anything, but the rear does nothing.
I have to push the stalk forward to get the rear washer to engage.

 

The stalk should be pushed forward to wash the rear screen. It needs to be pushed forward all the way, past the first click where it activates the wiper. It is how it is meant to work.

Pulling it back only washes the front screen, and the headlamps, though the headlamp washer only activates if the headlights are lit.


I have a somewhat different problem. The motor does work and does squirt water onto the rear window but whereas the motor starts immediately it seems like it takes a long time for the water to actually get there. Once it gets there it is a good powerful jet as it should be. It is just the long delay before it arrives - the wiper would have scraped across the dry glass at least a dozen times before the water finally arrives. I would ask if this is normal but I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that.

If I go to near the wiper just after having washed the window I hear a sizzling sort of sound which seems like air coming out of the nozzles, or perhaps being sucked into them. The 'sizzling' (for want of a better word) goes on for a minute or two, sometimes longer.

 

I have a 04 Range Rover HSE and was having an issue with the rear wiper sprayer. i took off the internal tailgate trim carefully and disconnected the hose where the non-return valve is located. Once off, I ran the sprayer to confirm that the pump was working properly. It was pumping properly so I connected the hose directly to the rear motor without the non return valve. After that I had to clear the nozzle out of the wiper with a small wire. That did the trick. I also checked the non return valve by blowing in it and it didnt have any movement. As of right now, I do not have the non return valve installed and the wipers work great! To replace the valve is about$25 at the dealer. I found a one way valve for ozone from a pool repair store that fits the tube and works just the same for $3.

Just some things to consider.

Thanks!

 

Thanks, I was wondering where the non-return valve was as mine obviously isn't working and I need to fix or replace it. Rather than blocked though it seems stuck open.

I'll try to find some generic non-return valve as you did. Good thing is that I recently modified the fixing of the trim panel to be easily removable and replaceable, using strong magnets instead of those horrible clips.

 

If I don't use mine for a while (week or more), I have to hold the lever for a good 10 seconds or so to finally get the juice to come out the rear washer. Is this normal or am I going to burn out my pump?

Also there is only 1 fill for fluid right? The 1 under the hood. There isn't 2 tanks (1 for front/1 for rear)?

 

I don't think it is normal. The non return valve is supposed to prevent that happening so either the valve is not sealing fully or there is a leak somewhere along the pipe letting air in.

The pump won't mind as it is below the water level and won't be running dry. The delay is for the water to fill up the long pipe all the way from the washer pump to the rear window. What is a problem is that the wiper will scratch the glass especially in dusty environments.

My rear glass is in fact very badly scratched which probably means that the previous owner has had this problem for a long time and done nothing about it.

There is indeed only one fluid container with three pumps attached to it, one for the front screen, one for the rear and one for the headlamps.

 

During the winter I find that the nozzles easily get crap in them from the road chemicals around here. I frequently (once a week or so) have to clear them out with a thin wire... used to take it apart, but that takes more time and doesn't seem that the cleaning lasts any longer. On my '04, I did have to hack the non-return valve also. I'm not sure why they get gummed up so easily, no other car I've driven has had this problem.

 

thanks Lister