1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Windshield Washer Won't Squirt

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Rebound, Apr 2, 2017.

  1. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    My passenger side windshield washer only dribbles a little. Driver's side is fine. Anybody know how to fix this?
     
  2. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    When it happens to me, it's usually some lime or calcium buildup right at the nozzle. I find a fine wire, and ream it out.
     
  3. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 7, 2009
    2,516
    1,789
    0
    Location:
    NEPA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    A sewing needle works great.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    is a paperclip too big?
     
  5. ccdisce

    ccdisce Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2010
    259
    187
    0
    Location:
    Stone Mtn GA USA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I usually use a needle or pin.
     
    kenoarto likes this.
  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It's always been too big for the ones I've had clog up. I pull a strand out of some thhn multi strand wire or something. Also, maybe the wire from a parts tag, if you know what I'm talking about. Stripping a twisty tie from a bread bag might work. I just now thought of that.
     
    HPrimeAdvanced and bisco like this.
  7. Samprocat

    Samprocat Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
    491
    297
    0
    Location:
    Lincoln, NE
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    One of best ways is to install inline filter so that will never happen again...i use small type fuel filter with washable stainless screen...

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  8. davids45

    davids45 Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2016
    104
    131
    0
    Location:
    Chatswood, NSW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    G'day,

    I've had this happen in previous vehicles but usually I blame the local biosphere (ants, algae, etc) that 'grow' in the seasons when the washer nozzle is less frequently used .

    Our tap water is quite 'soft' here ('soft' = a chemical term for fresh water relatively low in calcium and magnesium ions) but the goop here seems darkly coloured if I happen to see it during its extraction with a pin, paper-clip or thin wire.

    So 'diagnosis' a little different but the 'cure' is the same.

    If you do have 'hard water' in your taps, and this blockage does happen too often, maybe a little Calgon or softener could help. De-ionised water might be a bit of 'over-kill'.

    The normal windscreen-washer additives being surfactant solutions would also reduce a water-hardness problem I expect, but maybe not blockage with bug or plant stuff (I add a little store-bought washer solution when I remember during tap-water washer-reservoir refilling).

    If you car "situation" is like mine o_O , if it's the passenger side windscreen that is not clean and the passenger is complaining about not be able to see where you're driving :rolleyes: , get "her" to drive, or sit in the back behind you ('good luck' with that one!). Saves on pins, needles and wire - not necessarily the marriage, of course ;) .

    David S.
     
    Data Daedalus and jerrymildred like this.
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i only use bottled ww fluid, is that a better, albeit more expensive approach?
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I usually do the same. As @davids45 said, it can be biological. I think most of my clogs have been when I cheaped out and used tap water. I doubt it's been more than a half dozen times in the 45 years or so that I'be been driving.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    my tap water would clog a garden hose.
     
  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    ROFLOL!! I love hyperbole. Especially when it's true. :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:

    Seriously, I know a guy who had to move away from the Tampa area because, after years of kidney stones, the doctor figured out that it was the water here. I guess he didn't want to buy bottled water. Or maybe it was just as bad.
     
    #12 jerrymildred, Apr 2, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2017
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    yeah, i wouldn't drink this water. probably shouldn't even make coffee with it. lo ph, hi nitrates, sulfides, manganese, iron, you name it. it's clear and smells okay though.:rolleyes:
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  14. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2013
    1,022
    1,182
    0
    Location:
    Wembley, London
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Ditto. I only buy premixed window washer with antifreeze additives from an approved store. Works wonders, summer or winter. Except last winter, while "The Spaceship" was being serviced, some dolt poured ordinary water into the ww tank, and on a few cold freezing mornings, my nozzles froze for the first time ever. I was both horrified and livid when I found out what had caused the window washer operations to fail. Thought the motor had died!


    iPhone ?
     
    HPrimeAdvanced and bisco like this.
  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    Good point on the freezing washer fluid! Happened to me once when I made a winter trip from Florida to Ohio. Not fun trying to drive through Columbus, Ohio in the dark, in a snowstorm, with frozen Florida washer fluid. I was plenty ticked!! The whole tank was frozen solid when I got there. Thankfully, nothing broke.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    rebound's problem is, he's too smart to leave sunny california, so he doesn't need pre mix w/antifreeze.
     
  17. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2010
    3,961
    2,609
    0
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I buy only the premix, which, I assume has antifreeze here in California. Sometimes, Californians drive to Tahoe for skiing.
     
    HPrimeAdvanced and jerrymildred like this.
  18. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,481
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    A straight pin usually works for my other vehicles, although I also have access to ittsy-bitsy wire.
    I've also heard where people can use vinegar or CLR either wiped onto the face of the nozzle or you can remove the nozzle and soak.
    Sometimes all you need to do is wipe the face of the nozzles with a rag to remove old (or new) wax deposits.
    Obviously you'll need to test plastic and paint if you use chemicals more aggressive than vinegar.
    3 Ways to Clear Clogged Windshield Washers - wikiHow


    Good Luck!
     
    txducker likes this.
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Toyota dealerships up here sell the Toyota washer fluid. The bottle touts superior freeze protection and cleaning ability, just under $4 Canadian for four liter bottle. Bonus: it's pink, colour coordinated with the coolant. :)

    Well, except you can't see the washer fluid reservoir bottle, but you sleep better at night, just knowing. :ROFLMAO:
     
    HPrimeAdvanced and jerrymildred like this.
  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I thought about mentioning CLR as a possibility. But, since I haven't actually tried is, I was a little leery to recommend it since I don't know if it would attack the plastic.