Faulty Washer Motor - Please Help!

[davros01]

Hello Everyone.

I wonder if anyone can help with this??

My Fiance has a UK Yaris 1.3, 5 doors and during the recent bad weather the washers on the bonnet and the boot lid have stopped squirting water.

This is a serious problem as we cant get the windscreen clear without water, especially in the snowy/slushy/salt fest that is the Uk weather at the moment.

I have checked that the washer bottle is full, cleaned the nozzels with a needle and checked the clear plastic hoses under the bonnet. There is water and its not frozen so the pipework is ok. I next checked all the fuses, non of them are blown either. The windscreen wipers etc and all other electrics in the car are fine.

When you trigger the washer jets there is no sound of the electric motor/pump to push the water out of the jets.

So I can assume it is either jammed, frozen , broken or has a faulty connection!

Could anyone tell me if they have had a problem like this please???

Also could someone tell me where the motor is located, any advice on how to remove, fix or replace it??

All help would be most usefull. This is a great forum...I drive an MX5 myself!!!

But my Fiance is most upset about her car being "broken!"

I am going to fit the mp3 player I got her for Christmas tomorrow using a guide on this site to cheer her up.

Thanks for the help in advance!!!

[Viper_7]

I've never looked for it on the Yaris...but usually the washer pump is at the bottom of the water bottle... it's this they actually remove when they drain the water bottle at the service..and charge ya to refill it!

It will have two pumps if you have a rear washer...btw....does the rear washer work?? if not..then it's not likely to be two pumps that have failed..sure you've checked all the fuses? theres two locations one in the engine compartment one under the dash. More than likely it's not a seperate fuse..but on the same circuit as something else...need to check the handbook

EDIT: Washer pump appears to be on circuit as wipers...so back to the other diagnostic ...does the rear washer work?

I could go out in the cold and find the answer...but...it's cold..so I'll wait for someone else to come along!!

Viper

[davros01]

Ahhh

Its in the bottom of the bottle eh? TYPICAL!!!

Makes it really easy to check on / change then?!?!?!?

Damn it!!!

Nope NEITHER of the two pumps work, front OR rear. I have searched the hand book, found that there are 3 fuse boxes, two in the engine bay and one under the dash.

The one under the dash is listed as having two fuses linked to the wipers, washer pump etc. A small one in the middle of the box on the left. And a large on on the top left of the box. These are the only fuses relating to the washer/wipers according to the hand book. I checked them both and they are both fine. Tomorrow I suppose I will end up hand checking EVERY other fuse, just in case for some odd reason there is another one that works the wiper pump but is not listed. I think its clutching at straws though because every other electrical item on/in the car is fine, lights, wipers, radio, heaters, fans , dash illumination etc...

I can see this is going to be a nightmare to fix. I will take the washer bottle off tomorrow and have a look at the pump. If the pump is built into the bottle and you cant get at it at all, I bet its about £500 + VAT from Toyota for a new one!

I recomended a Yaris to my fiance because I owned a MK1 Mr2 for 7 years and did 75000 plus miles in it with no problem! So far the Yaris has not been as reliable. It was bought in pristine condition with only 38000 on the clock and with full service history, in April of this year, and a month ago developed an oil leak from the sump pan!! I had to remove the sump pan plate, clean it all up and reseal it with that liquid gasket. I was VERY disapointed in this fault and suprised too, because I had the car up on a ramp before we bought it and checked every inch of the underneath and engine for rust/leaks/wear etc and it was all fine.

Now in the middle of the bad weather the washer pump fails!

Still these are the joys of motoring...any other advice is most usefull and thanks for the help.

Regards!!!

[Viper_7]

yeah it's at the bottom...but not usually inside it, but is affixed to the side.

May be totally and utterly wrong..but it's like this on other cars....

but I'm second guessing myself now..as why both the front and rear don't work....

maybe there's only one pump...with a valve to divert the fluid one way or the other...which seems a bit OTT to me..so would think it's two pumps..again as like other vehicles..but again could be totally wrong

sorry not much help...need to confirm really how many pumps were talking about, if two..then's it's not very likely both failed.

Could even be the wiper stalk..but again..two seperate control's switches...not likely both would fail at the same time.

vipes

[Red Yaris 54]

I assume that you have some good screenwash deicer in the bottle?

At least 50/50 mix of a good brand for the low temperatures that we have experienced over the past few days. (The nozzles can freeze in the body out of reach of your needle) Try applying some local heat (Hot water bottle)

As the temperature rises your problem might just go away.

I think your estimate of £500 + VAT is a bit pesimistic. Have you made any enquiries at Toyota dealers?

An alternative if you really do need a new motor/bottle might just be a car breakers.

Dont give up yet, the Yaris is generally very reliable................let us know how you get on :group-cuddles:

I almost forgot............Welcome to TOC

[Bee]

Ah, if only you had the Haynes Service Manual......There is only one washer fluid pump. It is located by the side of the washer fluid reservoir.

First, disconnect the wiring plug from the pump. Using your digital multimeter, test whether the blue-white lead in the plug (from the +ve Battery terminal via the AM1 50A fuse, the ignition switch, back to the fuse box, then via the wiper 20A fuse -- the blue lead is to the -ve Battery terminal via the washer pump control switch) is live when the washer pump is switched on. If this is also 'on' then the pump is broken.

The pump needs only to be prised from the reservoir to remove it. Take care not to push the rubber sealing grommet behind into the reservoir.

Good luck! And, Happy New Year! AND, no more gremlin in the Yaris!

--

Bee.

[Viper_7]

nice one!

does it say how the one pump supplies the front and the rear independantly?

[Red Yaris 54]

nice one!

does it say how the one pump supplies the front and the rear independantly?

←

Ah that is easy:

The single pump has three terminals and two water outlets

For front screen wash the positive terminal 2 and the negative terminal 1 are supplied with electricity when the front washer switch is activated. The pump pumps fluid out of the left outlet.

For rear screen wash the positive terminal 2 and the negative terminal 3 are supplied with electricity when the rear washer switch is activated. The pump pumps fluid out of the right outlet.

Simple really..............................I told you I know how my Yaris works ;)

[Demonic Angel]

You're a hive of Yaris information Steve! :D

[davros01]

:D

MANY THANKS EVERYONE!!!!

I will go out now and check into all the things you have answered and let you know how I get on. I dont have a multi meter on me , but I can borrow one and check. Now I know where the pump is I will be able to check it properly as it may be a loose connection or something (wishfull thinking!) I tried loads of hot water to thaw out the jets, to no avail...its warmer today and they still dont work. Also there is no electrical motor noise when you work the stalk for the jets. Its got to be the pump. No fuses have gone I have checked the lot. I will have to get a Haynes Workshop Manual!

LOL

Heres a silly tale about workshop manuals.. My first car was an Opel Manta. I got a Haynes Manual with it, and by the time I sold the car 4 years later, the maual was worn out, covered in oil and fingerprints because it got used at least once a month to find and fix something on the totally CRAP manta! I had to rebuild the suspension, fix body work and electricals, and re new the cam shaft and tappets, not once, BUT TWICE in the time I had the car. It was just hopeless!

Then I got my Mk1 MR2...silver with a T top and black leather seats, and also a Haynes Manual. When I sold the car 7 years and 75000 miles later, the manual went with it...brand new, unused, pristine and clean! I never needed it. Mind you I did my own oil changes and brake pads etc, but didnt need a manual for that! lol.

Says a lot about Toyota / Jap cars doesnt it? I now have an imported Mx5 , with a Haynes Manual that has also never been needed 3 and a half years later and still going...lets hope it keeps it up!

Anyway enough waffle and off to check the washer pump and fit this Mp3 deck using your usefull advice..

Regards...

[Bee]

I am still trying to work out how the two operations are independent of each other! Both the front and the rear washer pump switches though separate act on the pump as one, their common final mode of action, as far as I can see from the wiring diagram. Hope someone can solve this mystery. The only possible answer appears to be that one of the two switches also controls a blocking valve along one of the water paths. But, how? Unfortunately the switching matrix in the wiring diagram is altogether a new puzzle to me. I'm working on it....

--

Bee.

[Bee]

Aha, Red Yaris 54, you could well have the correct answer! Thanks. I posted my reply earlier without checking the board.

--

Bee.

[Red Yaris 54]

The suspense is killing me.......................did you sort it davros?

[davros01]

Top Geezers!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D

The Washers NOW WORK!!!!!

Hurray!!!!

Guess what it was???

Go on...

Guessss!!!!!!!!!

"Ice to see you!"

A Clue!!!!

I went out to install the new stereo and fix the washers using your info...I located the pump..a real awkward place...nice one Toyota!

I checked the connection, unplugged it...cleaned it, plugged it back in, and on doing so felt the bottom of the washer bottle, IT WAS STILL FROZEN!!!

Even with anti freeze in the bottle there was a large lump of ice in the bottom that was obviously fouling the pump inlet. I drained out the water from the top of the bottle using a hose and then filled it with red hot water from the tap, left it for 20 mins and then tried it. IT WORKED FIRST TIME.

We really must have had some cold weather! We do a lot of motorway driving so lots of cold air round the washer bottle probably didnt help. So thanks to all!!!

I also fitted the stereo in to the dash. THAT WAS EASY!

I have never had such a straight forward install on a car stereo...2 screws at the top behind the heater controls, then off with the dash...two more screws, top and bottom and out it all came , out came the black plastic pocket, in went the new mp3 player and all back together working! It took about 20 mins to do, I was amazed! No hunting for screws, fixing broken bits that snap off for no reason, or dashboard carving. Great.

Makes a bit of a mockery of all the so called experts in Car garages / Halfords / Stereo shops saying "you cant fit a stereo in a Yaris, because of the dash..."

Etc Etc.....

Amyway thanks for all your help, hopefully all will stay working , and HOPEFULLY I wont need more advice....heres to keeping the workshop manual unused!

Regards!!

[Red Yaris 54]

Pleased to help (That is one reason for having an owners club :group-cuddles: ).......................remember to keep the washer bottle topped up with a good brand deicer fluid (at least 50/50 maybe even stronger in the very cold weather)

And visit us regularly.......we don't REALLY bite :D

[Bigairgair]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the top information, but I still have one small problem, how to get the waserjet motor out!! Do you have to take the headlight out.

Cheers

[Red Yaris 54]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the top information, but I still have one small problem, how to get the waserjet motor out!! Do you have to take the headlight out.

Cheers

Welcome to TOC...................I thought that I recognised this thread

You should be able to remove the washer pump without having to take the headlight out.

The pump needs only to be prised from the reservoir to remove it. Take care not to push the rubber sealing grommet behind into the reservoir.

Good luck , and let us know how you get on

[AndyG]

Hi.

In case anyone is interested, a new pump is a few pennies short of £60 with VAT from Mr T! I've tried a few factors for pattern pumps but none of their suppliers list the Yaris. I suppose I can't complain, it's the first non-consumable/service part I've had to buy in nearly 4 years of ownership of a car that's coming up to being 8 years old.

Andy

[T600]

Hi.

In case anyone is interested, a new pump is a few pennies short of £60 with VAT from Mr T! I've tried a few factors for pattern pumps but none of their suppliers list the Yaris. I suppose I can't complain, it's the first non-consumable/service part I've had to buy in nearly 4 years of ownership of a car that's coming up to being 8 years old.

Andy

Andy, take out the pump and compare it with those that the factors have - note the fluid will all leak out when you remove the pump so catch it with a container.

I couldn't (in theory) get one for my GT4 but then checked it against the one on my g/f's Rolla and the pump was identical. Got a second hand Rolla one one off eBay for about £5 and it works perfectly.

But the point is, many cars use the same pump so it may just be that the factors' parts don't list all the cars they will fit. In many cases the only difference between pumps is just the style of the electrical connectors, so you might also find one that fits the bottle perfectly and just needs a slight mod to the electrical connections.

[AndyG]

Andy, take out the pump and compare it with those that the factors have..........

Hi

Thanks for the suggestions. I considered going to a couple of factors with the pump but all of the decent firms are over 10 miles away so I decided not to. I also looked on eBay but all I could see was a Supra washer bottle with pump (the pump looked identical) but that would have been upward of £32 with postage! Armed with the information that the pump would probably be the same as those used on other Toyota cars I got back onto the factors and asked did that list pumps for any Toyota cars, they did have some pumps listed for Toyota but they didn't have any on stock to compare - they would have to order in and would only do that if I definitely wanted the item.

I don't really begrudge £60 for a pump given how reliable the car is otherwise, it just came as a bit of a shock based on my experience in my youth (many moons ago) when you could pick up a pump in the local motorist shop for a few quid. I'd imagined £30 but not £60.

Thanks for the tip about the possible deluge when removing the pump, I syphoned the fluid out beforehand. A tip for anyone else removing the pump: label the two pipes before you remove them from the pump so that you know which pipe goes onto which connection when you refit.

I've put the car back together for now and ordered a pump from Mr T which will arrive on Wednesday.

Thanks again - Andy

[T600]

I agree, £60 is hardly a fortune to pay; at least you'll know it's the right one, and if it works for another 8 years, then then I'm sure you'll be happy with it. These cars are so good that it's hard to fault them when a little thing like that goes wrong.

Good tip re the pipes. I must have been lucky because I managed to get them back on without labelling them, but it would be easy to get it wrong.

Syphoning out the fluid is probaly the best option too, as collecting it underneath could easily lead to contamination in which case you might as well throw it away or else risk getting blocked washer jets or another knackered pump from any muck that gets in.

[AndyG]

Good tip re the pipes....

It's probably only necessary if you're taking the pump off the car without having a replacement to refit straight away. I removed the pump to test it on the bench before ordering a new one. I've strapped the pipes and connector on the car up for now and kept the pump off to compare with the new one when I go to collect it.

Andy

[gladiator]

My Washer bottle is leaking, so i need a new one i have phoned all the scrapyards and they don't have it. any1 know where to buy one.

i have a yaris 55 plate and don't really want to pay 30 quid for it from Toyota dealer.

[Red Yaris 54]

My Washer bottle is leaking, so i need a new one i have phoned all the scrapyards and they don't have it. any1 know where to buy one.

i have a yaris 55 plate and don't really want to pay 30 quid for it from Toyota dealer.

Your 55 plate Yaris should still be under the Toyota 3 year warranty................It might be an idea to ask the dealer to change it under warranty

[eminef]

sorry to barge in like this, but for sure isnt caused by freezing water. the washers on my jap vitz after 3y and 30k miles (+another 40k miles in japan) packed up . story is like this:

after 2 years of problem free life, whenever i turned on the rear washer + rear wiper running , the front wipers would start to sweep (in sympathy), a feew weeks later the rear washer stopped working altogether, then a few months later the front washer also packe up. after several trys the front washer would squirt for a second barely reaching the windscreen, then die . given how hot it is here freezing is out of the question. i.

,m suspecting a faulty relay switch, but i havent checked the fuses yet. on the other hand with a blown fuse there wouldnt be intermittent operation. and before u ask i do have the haynes manual. tks