Windshield washer pump won't work - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71swb4x4 · 12-14-2003, 11:57 PM

OK my windshield washer pump isn't working. This is my fourth truck between 69-72, and none of them have had a working washer pump, so I am pretty sure this is a common problem. I would rather stay with the factory pump, and not one of the aftermarket add-ons if its feasible.
What is usually the problem with these factory ones? I have seen a rebuilt one in the LMC catalog. Will this do the trick for me?
When I push the switch in I can't hear any sounds. I got under there today and it looks like everything is hooked up properly.

This is my 3rd question in the last 10 minutes, not trying to hog the board, just had a long day in the garage -

mtdave2 · 12-15-2003, 12:01 AM

those rebuild kits work fine, they are just like the orginal. too bad the orginal one sucked! i have never seen a working one.

i always go with the aftermarket pump. works perfect, easy to put in. i am like you though, i do like to keep things orginal. almost everything on my truck is stock. 2 things though that i will always change, hei and a washer pump.

dinnut · 12-15-2003, 12:26 AM

im trying to figure out where the lines go through the firewall to the washer pump from the lines in the cowl?

Longhorn Man · 12-15-2003, 01:16 AM

I've seen one that worked. even though i was impressed with the fact that it worked...I was not impressed with the performance.
I'd say get an aftermarket one.

1969 GMC · 12-15-2003, 04:01 AM

lol, i need one of those too...I am tired of having to grab handfuls of wet snow and wiping it on the windshield when I am stopped to clear the salt spray off.

tom hand · 12-15-2003, 08:10 AM

The problem with the factory pump, (besides being a poor design) is pumps are designed to push not pull. There is at least 4 feet of hose between the bottle and the pump. The pump is about the same height as the bottle so it does gravity feed very well, so the system usally needs to be primed if it runs dry. You can get the factory pump to work,but if you want a clean windsheild get an aftermarket one.

krue · 12-15-2003, 10:43 AM

I have a tank with the pump from a 92 s10 with the pump in the bottom of it. I want to use it for my washer and use my old washer bottle for an overflow tank. Will this work? Where can I get a cap for my factory washer bottle that I can connect a large enough hose for the overflow?

*racedvl* · 12-15-2003, 11:28 AM

Check out what I wrote in this post. . . . .

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=78127

**old Rusty C10** · 12-15-2003, 11:32 AM

before you go buying parts id check the wiring to it and the fuses the switch too lots of times its a wiring issue

Perchjerker · 12-15-2003, 11:44 AM

Hey, when I push the button on mine it makes a lot of popping and motor noises but no fluid comes out. I made sure water was coming through and also put one of those pump rebuild kits on it. What else could be wrong?

sukes84 · 12-15-2003, 02:52 PM

i was lucky enough to find a NOS pump at a chevy dealer. i had tried a rebuild kit before, but the piston pump itself was shot. the new one works, but i will agree that it is nothing spectacular. guess its just one of the joys of 30+ year old technology.

mrein3 · 12-15-2003, 03:05 PM

My washer pump has worked since the day I bought the truck. 10 years or so ago.

If you live where the temp can drop below freezing, NEVER put water in the reservoir. Always use the blue stuff. If you try to pump ice you'll ruin the pump.

lukecp · 12-15-2003, 03:10 PM

Mine worked for a little bit....only squirted out the driver's side nozzle though

Then one day it would turn on whenever the windshield wipers were on. I simply empted the resivour and forgot about it. When i replaced my wiper motor i didn't bother putting in a new pump....i'm used to not having a pump so ignornace is bliss

dropped_71chevy · 12-15-2003, 03:50 PM

Mine works but it if I use it then try to use my windshield wipers the pump keeps working til I shut down my truck

SWEET7T · 12-16-2003, 01:54 PM

WOO HOO!!! Now mine sounds like one of the better pumps...

It pops and clunks but nothing comes out. If I get a mouthful of water and blow it into the hose that connects to the tank while the pump is on, then I can get something out of it. So after I prime the pump, it will work, squirting short bursts of fluid. But if it sits for a few hours, then all of the fluid runs back into the tank.

Would a little rebuild kit for the pump solve this bad seal problem?!

photoglg · 12-16-2003, 02:04 PM

I had the same problem, made alot of noise but nothing came out. The problem was the clog wheel that works the pump it had broken off and the rebuild kits don't give you a new clog, I got one at the junk yard.

**JIMs70GMC** · 12-16-2003, 02:23 PM

I bought a pump from mother truckers and it works like has been said, I originally installed the LMC kit but it was the piston seal that was bad and would not pull the water.

12-14-2003, 11:57 PM	#1
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Windshield washer pump won't work OK my windshield washer pump isn't working. This is my fourth truck between 69-72, and none of them have had a working washer pump, so I am pretty sure this is a common problem. I would rather stay with the factory pump, and not one of the aftermarket add-ons if its feasible. What is usually the problem with these factory ones? I have seen a rebuilt one in the LMC catalog. Will this do the trick for me? When I push the switch in I can't hear any sounds. I got under there today and it looks like everything is hooked up properly. This is my 3rd question in the last 10 minutes, not trying to hog the board, just had a long day in the garage - __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

12-15-2003, 12:01 AM	#2
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	those rebuild kits work fine, they are just like the orginal. too bad the orginal one sucked! i have never seen a working one. i always go with the aftermarket pump. works perfect, easy to put in. i am like you though, i do like to keep things orginal. almost everything on my truck is stock. 2 things though that i will always change, hei and a washer pump. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

12-15-2003, 12:26 AM	#3
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	im trying to figure out where the lines go through the firewall to the washer pump from the lines in the cowl? __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-15-2003, 04:01 AM	#5
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	lol, i need one of those too...I am tired of having to grab handfuls of wet snow and wiping it on the windshield when I am stopped to clear the salt spray off. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

12-15-2003, 08:10 AM	#6
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	The problem with the factory pump, (besides being a poor design) is pumps are designed to push not pull. There is at least 4 feet of hose between the bottle and the pump. The pump is about the same height as the bottle so it does gravity feed very well, so the system usally needs to be primed if it runs dry. You can get the factory pump to work,but if you want a clean windsheild get an aftermarket one. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

12-15-2003, 01:16 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I've seen one that worked. even though i was impressed with the fact that it worked...I was not impressed with the performance. I'd say get an aftermarket one.

12-15-2003, 10:43 AM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	I have a tank with the pump from a 92 s10 with the pump in the bottom of it. I want to use it for my washer and use my old washer bottle for an overflow tank. Will this work? Where can I get a cap for my factory washer bottle that I can connect a large enough hose for the overflow? __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

12-15-2003, 11:28 AM	#8
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	Check out what I wrote in this post. . . . . http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=78127

12-15-2003, 11:32 AM	#9
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	before you go buying parts id check the wiring to it and the fuses the switch too lots of times its a wiring issue __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-15-2003, 11:44 AM	#10
Perchjerker Beer Power!!!!!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nacogdoches, TX Posts: 280	Hey, when I push the button on mine it makes a lot of popping and motor noises but no fluid comes out. I made sure water was coming through and also put one of those pump rebuild kits on it. What else could be wrong? __________________ Rather be fishin'

12-15-2003, 02:52 PM	#11
sukes84 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: gothenburg nebraska Posts: 25	i was lucky enough to find a NOS pump at a chevy dealer. i had tried a rebuild kit before, but the piston pump itself was shot. the new one works, but i will agree that it is nothing spectacular. guess its just one of the joys of 30+ year old technology.

12-15-2003, 03:05 PM	#12
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,254	My washer pump has worked since the day I bought the truck. 10 years or so ago. If you live where the temp can drop below freezing, NEVER put water in the reservoir. Always use the blue stuff. If you try to pump ice you'll ruin the pump. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

12-15-2003, 03:10 PM	#13
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Mine worked for a little bit....only squirted out the driver's side nozzle though Then one day it would turn on whenever the windshield wipers were on. I simply empted the resivour and forgot about it. When i replaced my wiper motor i didn't bother putting in a new pump....i'm used to not having a pump so ignornace is bliss __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

12-15-2003, 03:50 PM	#14
dropped_71chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 198	Mine works but it if I use it then try to use my windshield wipers the pump keeps working til I shut down my truck

12-16-2003, 01:54 PM	#15
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	WOO HOO!!! Now mine sounds like one of the better pumps... It pops and clunks but nothing comes out. If I get a mouthful of water and blow it into the hose that connects to the tank while the pump is on, then I can get something out of it. So after I prime the pump, it will work, squirting short bursts of fluid. But if it sits for a few hours, then all of the fluid runs back into the tank. Would a little rebuild kit for the pump solve this bad seal problem?! __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB



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12-16-2003, 02:04 PM	#16
photoglg Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Oxnard, CA Posts: 143	I had the same problem, made alot of noise but nothing came out. The problem was the clog wheel that works the pump it had broken off and the rebuild kits don't give you a new clog, I got one at the junk yard. __________________ 1969 GMC S/B S/S 3" drop

12-16-2003, 02:23 PM	#17
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I bought a pump from mother truckers and it works like has been said, I originally installed the LMC kit but it was the piston seal that was bad and would not pull the water. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

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