Low washer fluid womt shut off sprayers dont work good (1 Viewer)

[05ls430518]

Hey guys my windshield washer low fluid alert has been on for a while now I added fluid and it did not shut the light off. I tried to use the sprayers on the hood and it came out in a dribble that doesn't hit the window. The pump still makes noise. Should I be looking for loose wire disconnected lines? Any help is appreciated as it's my main vehicle for the crap weather we get in upstate NY, I don't want to have to drive my rwd LS430 in snow if I don't have to.

 

[gaijin]

There's a "low fluid alert" in an LC200?

 

[Sandroad]

Is there fluid leaking out on the ground anywhere? I had a chipmunk chew a hose under the hood. If no leaks, are there any kinks in the lines? How about the nozzles…are they clean? Any chance the fluid is frozen in the lines? With the symptom of the warning, maybe some debris in the tank blocking the pump intake?

 

[Fisher23]

myself, I would first pop off the hose right after the pump and then test the sprayer motor to see if the clog is up stream or down stream from there.

If still upstream then I would got here next

Those things have a screen at the bottom where the pump is, that will clog up after some time with some kind of goop in the washer fluid.
To fix this you need to pump the fluid out (or dump it just get it empty) and then you can put in white vinegar to soak it and remove that build out.
Once it soaks for a while usually you can just run the pump and it will clear out.
Sometime it's easier to just remove the whole reservoir and clear that screen with white vinegar.

 

[bloc]

I wouldn’t think a clogged screen could trip the level sensor… but I could be wrong.

OP if you pull the driver’s side front fender liner plastic you’ll be looking at the bottom of the washer fluid jug. The pump and any wiring will be on the bottom.

 

[Fisher23]

I was thinking that the level sensor is clogged also.. but it's just a guess.

 

[TigerInFL]

want to talk about weird? we have a Jeep Mojave and I found out the hard way that you cannot use anything but the cheap blue stuff because it will clog. no green, no orange or any thing but cheap blue.

i've always thought the sprayers on Toyota's went south way before any other vehicle we've had. the wife's former Avalon was the worst. the 18 Tundra we had was going south when I traded it.

 

[bloc]

i've always thought the sprayers on Toyota's went south way before any other vehicle we've had. the wife's former Avalon was the worst. the 18 Tundra we had was going south when I traded it.

200k on mine and the sprayers work great.

But yes I’ve never seen any reason to run anything other than the blue stuff.

 

[05ls430518]

I wouldn’t think a clogged screen could trip the level sensor… but I could be wrong.

OP if you pull the driver’s side front fender liner plastic you’ll be looking at the bottom of the washer fluid jug. The pump and any wiring will be on the bottom.

I am going to check this out this weekend I am assuming since the fluid won't even spray out anymore it has all leaked out so I will take the fender liner out. It just a standard fender liner? a couple 10mm bolts on the inside holding it in and those push plugs on the front portion? Thank you for your help greatly appreciate it.

 

[bloc]

I am going to check this out this weekend I am assuming since the fluid won't even spray out anymore it has all leaked out so I will take the fender liner out. It just a standard fender liner? a couple 10mm bolts on the inside holding it in and those push plugs on the front portion? Thank you for your help greatly appreciate it.

A number of the screws are T30 torx, but yes mostly small screws and some clips that will make sense when you get a look at them.

 

[05ls430518]

Part numbers are listed below anyone know if these are correct?
Part Number: 8535560210
Supersession(s): 85355-60210

Is there a specific area where they leak? Anyone know of?

 

[bloc]

Part numbers are listed below anyone know if these are correct?
Part Number: 8535560210
Supersession(s): 85355-60210

Is there a specific area where they leak? Anyone know of?

Part number for?

The only leak I recall was when a hole somehow got drilled into one. Alternately some people’s washer sprayers on the front bumper will leak.. I have dealt with this and had to rebuild them. That fluid will end up dripping out the bottom of the front bumper.

 

[trudd]

Could be a number of things. Have you tested your rear windshield wiper + sprayer? There are two pumps - one for the front nozzles and one for the rear. That may help determine if you have a leak (probable) or a dead front pump.

On my previous LX, I used the orange stuff last winter and the pump died by spring. I could hear the pump getting weaker and then one day I heard no sound at all. There are some good threads here on replacing the pump - siphon any remaining fluid out, pull the front DS fender liner, and pull the front pump out of the reservoir, etc etc.

On my replacement 2010 LX, I have a known leak in the system. I noticed the low fluid warning when I was buying the car a few weeks ago and didn't think too much of it. I put some fluid in later and quickly got a puddle of blue coming out the DS front bumper.

Turns out that the hose going to the DS headlight sprayer is broken at the elbow (white piece). I'm just going to plug it once someone tells me what size plug to get. I never use the headlight sprayers.

Good luck!

 

[05ls430518]

So I have not had time to take the fender liner off yet but the rear pump kicks on but does not spray fluid same with the front. Is the front resevoir connected to the rear wiper by chance? I am going to out a gallon of wiper fluid in the reservoir tonight when my wife gets home and see if there is a puddle by the ds in the am.

 

[bloc]

So I have not had time to take the fender liner off yet but the rear pump kicks on but does not spray fluid same with the front. Is the front resevoir connected to the rear wiper by chance? I am going to out a gallon of wiper fluid in the reservoir tonight when my wife gets home and see if there is a puddle by the ds in the am.

IIRC it’s the same reservoir with two different pumps in it, front and rear.

 

[trudd]

IIRC it’s the same reservoir with two different pumps in it, front and rear.

Correcto

Good luck on finding the leak. Depending on the location & size of the leak, it might not long to find. Pour in the fluid and stick around for a bit

 

[Fisher23]

I would dump in white vinegar.

 

[05ls430518]

Update my wife just got home I put a half gallon wiper fluid (blue) in the truck front sprayers work fine the rear pump comes on but no fluid comes out and there does not seem to be any leaks that I can see on the ground. Thought ideas?

What would make the rear not work if they are connected together

Thank you everyone for your help I really appreciate it

I also just looked in the interior there is no spots on the headliner or wet spots on the floor that I can see. Where are the lines located that go to the rear?

 

[05ls430518]

Part number for?

The only leak I recall was when a hole somehow got drilled into one. Alternately some people’s washer sprayers on the front bumper will leak.. I have dealt with this and had to rebuild them. That fluid will end up dripping out the bottom of the front bumper.

I am an idiot and forgot to answer this its the wiper resevoir there is multiple versions. From my understanding there is some for headlight sprayers and non headlight sprayers. Anyone know if they are interchangeable as I don't use the headlamp washers.

 

[05ls430518]

I would dump in white vinegar.

Not being a smart ass genuinely want to know why are you saying white vinager?