Front Washers not working

keithy1959 · Jul 21st, 2020, 06:42

Assuming there is only one pump for the front and rear screen washers, the switch for the front washers on my 1999 V70 petrol has failed. (Pump comes on for rears, not for front, but wipers still work )

Is this likely to be a big job to replace/repair - I'm thinking of just isolating the switch wires and putting in a rocker switch as I'm a bit poor at the moment !

Is this a viable option, and if so, can someone please advise the wire colours.

Thanks in advance

Richard

Cookeh · Jul 21st, 2020, 10:12

I believe the wagons have two pumps, one fro the front and one for the rear. S and C variants (and the 850 saloons) only have the one.

rudi dudi · Jul 21st, 2020, 10:24

Id not bodge a rocker switch on the dash if the original is indeed faulty. You could source a used one for a few pounds quite easily.
First port of call is as Cookie has suggested that you may have 2 pumps.
Have a look and if so give it 12volts direct from a battery to see if it spins.
Pumps failing or corroded wires at the pump end seem more likely than a faulty stalk.You mentioned the wipers work when you use the Windscreen washer but the pump doesn't.. My monies on the pump end of things.

RollingThunder · Jul 21st, 2020, 10:54

IIRC I had a similar issue on my last V70 (or maybe a 940??! lol) - there are two washer pumps and one of mine had failed. The corroded connectors didn't help, but the pump was actually stuck solid.

I got a replacement from my local BullsEye factor - the pumps are generic, there are maybe a dozen different types but they had this one in stock. It was around £5 IIRC, so cheap too. The hardest part was getting access to the reservoir to swap it out.

volvo again · Jul 21st, 2020, 11:58

The pumps are quite cheap, changing is fairly easy if a bit fiddly, IIRC one is accesible from the engine bay while the other has to be got at from underneath

Cookeh · Jul 21st, 2020, 12:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvo again

The pumps are quite cheap, changing is fairly easy if a bit fiddly, IIRC one is accesible from the engine bay while the other has to be got at from underneath

Front one just pulls straight up and out of engine bay. Rear as you say has to be accessed from underneath.

keithy1959 · Jul 26th, 2020, 07:06

Thank you all for your advice - Now I know there is more than one pump, I'll be heading back under the bonnet to find and test that pump !!

Thanks again

Richard

Jul 21st, 2020, 06:42	#1
keithy1959 New Member Last Online: Nov 18th, 2023 12:35 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Swindon	Front Washers not working Assuming there is only one pump for the front and rear screen washers, the switch for the front washers on my 1999 V70 petrol has failed. (Pump comes on for rears, not for front, but wipers still work ) Is this likely to be a big job to replace/repair - I'm thinking of just isolating the switch wires and putting in a rocker switch as I'm a bit poor at the moment ! Is this a viable option, and if so, can someone please advise the wire colours. Thanks in advance Richard

Jul 21st, 2020, 10:12	#2
Cookeh Premier Member Last Online: Sep 14th, 2022 17:04 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Derbyshire	I believe the wagons have two pumps, one fro the front and one for the rear. S and C variants (and the 850 saloons) only have the one. __________________ 1995 Volvo 850 T5 Estate (Manual)

Jul 21st, 2020, 10:24	#3
rudi dudi DPF free.FCUK Greta he he Last Online: Today 14:43 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Bristol	Id not bodge a rocker switch on the dash if the original is indeed faulty. You could source a used one for a few pounds quite easily. First port of call is as Cookie has suggested that you may have 2 pumps. Have a look and if so give it 12volts direct from a battery to see if it spins. Pumps failing or corroded wires at the pump end seem more likely than a faulty stalk.You mentioned the wipers work when you use the Windscreen washer but the pump doesn't.. My monies on the pump end of things. Last edited by rudi dudi; Jul 21st, 2020 at 10:27.

Jul 21st, 2020, 10:54	#4
RollingThunder Grumpy Old Git Last Online: Today 16:44 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Yorkshire View Photos By: RollingThunder	IIRC I had a similar issue on my last V70 (or maybe a 940??! lol) - there are two washer pumps and one of mine had failed. The corroded connectors didn't help, but the pump was actually stuck solid. I got a replacement from my local BullsEye factor - the pumps are generic, there are maybe a dozen different types but they had this one in stock. It was around £5 IIRC, so cheap too. The hardest part was getting access to the reservoir to swap it out. __________________ S40 2.4i '07 Japanese import '96 850R - https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=312484 Ex Danish Embassy '96 940 GLE LPT - https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=326071

Jul 21st, 2020, 11:58	#5
volvo again Master Member Last Online: Jun 15th, 2024 19:22 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Presteigne, mid Wales	The pumps are quite cheap, changing is fairly easy if a bit fiddly, IIRC one is accesible from the engine bay while the other has to be got at from underneath

Jul 26th, 2020, 07:06	#7
keithy1959 New Member Last Online: Nov 18th, 2023 12:35 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Swindon	Thank you all for your advice - Now I know there is more than one pump, I'll be heading back under the bonnet to find and test that pump !! Thanks again Richard

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