Headlight washer valves

[japmaster83]

Hey all,

Does anyone out there know how the headlight washer valves work? Im speaking about the 90deg inline plastic valves just before the washers themselves. Surprisingly my tank is watertight and the pump still works. But the valve on the passenger side jsut pisses out the pinhole in the back of it and somehow wont let the fluid through to get to the washer. If I take it out and blow into the end into which the fluid is meant to flow the air goes right out that pinhole. If I blow in the opposite end the air wont get through. I know there's a rubber diaphragm in there. So if the diaphragm stuck in the wrong position? Or? Can anyone help me diagnose this? Thanks.

 

[Joe_E]

It gets gummed up with the washer fluid residue. When i had mine off i cleaned them with 409 and kept blowing a little air gently back and forth to free them up. It does have a sort of valve in it.

 

[klinetime574]

Interesting. Mine do not work either. I'm gonna try some sort of cleaner.

Joe_E what other household cleaners would be safe?

 

[Joe_E]

It's easiest just to take them off the valance and do it.
WD40 would probably work good as well maybe and be safe on the plastic.

 

[klinetime574]

Sweet. Thanks man. I'll give her a whirl next chance I get.

I had one working really well as a squirt gun, zip tied behind my grill. Then it started leaking again. I'll get it back to OEM spec soon enough

 

[japmaster83]

Cool. Thanks for the advice. I'll just keep working with it. See if I can get working. I'd be worried about WD40 drying out the rubber inside. I'll see what kind of luck I have. Thanks again.

 

[Joe_E]

You know now that i am thinking of it, i may have used 409 soak then the garden hose instead of air. Cause now i remember how it actually seemed to be under pressure when it was cleaned out.

 

[hank14]

Mine leak like that as well. I assumed they had frozen and cracked or something and was going to replace them with new. I'll try the cleaning trick first.

 

[Joe_E]

Mine leak like that as well. I assumed they had frozen and cracked or something and was going to replace them with new. I'll try the cleaning trick first.

Yeah i recall it being really clogged with the blue residue. I went back and forth each side with the garden hose nozzle for a long while. Then i realized that the less water pressure i used made it work .

 

[Zhenya]

Useless reply warning:

Make sure your headlights are turned on. On my 87 they will only fire if the lights are on!