Washer Fluid Won't Spray

[htc]

I just picked up a Festiva last week and on the way home noticed that in addition to some less-than-efficient wiper blades, I also had no washer fluid when I needed it.

There is fluid in the reservoir.
All other functions of the "wiper stalk" work, as in down and forward for the wiper functions...
With the EXCEPTION that when pulled rearward for the spray the wipers don't move as expected, and no fluid pump noise can be heard.

I'm thinking that the pump motor might be toast, but the fact that the wipers don't move concerns me.

Anybody have any ideas? Thanks!

[FestYboy]

the wipers wont move if it's a stock festiva. it sounds like the internal switch has failed: time to upgrade to intermitant wipers (with auto wipe durring the wash function). it takes about 15min and 3 screws to swap the parts out (you'll want a very small screwdriver to do it)

[zoom zoom]

the wipers wont move if it's a stock festiva. it sounds like the internal switch has failed: time to upgrade to intermitant wipers (with auto wipe durring the wash function). it takes about 15min and 3 screws to swap the parts out (you'll want a very small screwdriver to do it)

I've heard that the int switch from a fourth or fifth gen (93-02) mazda 626 will swap, do you know if that's right or not? The steering wheel is supposed to be about the same too. I've heard of people having issues with wiring (on other cars) where it's a positive trigger instead of a negative and I don't want to have to mess with all that.

[FestYboy]

you'll want to hunt down the 3rd-4th gen (pre 96) proteges and 626s for the right hardware. at most, you have to move one pin. i havn't experianced any of that though and i've swapped several units so far.

[blkfordsedan]

Have you tested to see if you have power down at the pump? Maybe it's just the pump that's bad?

[Bert]

The washer pump is on the fluid bottle by the bumper and inside the drivers side fender and behind a removable plastic inner fender. I have replaced too many of these. Sometimes it is a frayed or bad wire or hasty crimp connection from up above but most times it is the pump itself. They're cheap enough and common but lots of work to get at/replace the first time around.

[htc]

I haven't had the chance to look into it with any real effort, just no time as of late. I was just hoping to hear an "Oh that's so common, and it's such an easy fix..." Oh well, there has to be some work behind the glamour of owning a Festiva.

[GenevaDirt]

you'll want to hunt down the 3rd-4th gen (pre 96) proteges and 626s for the right hardware. at most, you have to move one pin. i havn't experianced any of that though and i've swapped several units so far.

pre 91 on the 626 or the stalk is different. Plug and play on 90-93. I believe there is a wire issue in the 88-89 cars....but I forget for sure.

Never heard of moving the pins.

[WmWatt]

Possible "easy fix" is to spray switch and connections with WD-40.

[JoDan]

A forewarning if the pump is bad and you go to to Autozone to get one, order for a automatic instead of a manual even if you have a 5 spd... don't know the deal there but I had to wait 3 days to get mine that I order for a manual and it was wrong...

[FestYboy]

pre 91 on the 626 or the stalk is different. Plug and play on 90-93. I believe there is a wire issue in the 88-89 cars....but I forget for sure.

Never heard of moving the pins.

i had a conversion on a 91 that required moving a pin but i was using a base model 88 unit, so that's probably why.

[Bert]

My parts source distinguishes between auto and manual Festys for washer pumps but I have both types or cars and never found there to be any difference. Get both and return the one that doesn't fit.

[TominMO]

My parts source distinguishes between auto and manual Festys for washer pumps but I have both types or cars and never found there to be any difference. Get both and return the one that doesn't fit.

The 88 and 89 carbies have a different washer fluid reservoir, mounted on the passenger side. That went away in 1990 with the EFI cars because that space was needed for the VAF/air filter components. I would guess that the 89 EFI cars use the later one.

The auto/manual distinction your parts source has may be because of the 89 model year, which would only apply for that year, since autos were EFI and manuals were carby. For other years this would be irelevent, and is just a mistake.

[htc]

Good info. Thanks Tom! ...and everybody else for that matter!