Windshield Washer Pump - DIY or take it somewhere?

[nzwasp]

My 2013 Toyota Highlander Front Windshield pump (im assuming theres 2 - one for rear as well) has been not working intermittently and also the pressure has gotten less and less in the last month. This morning it just sputters about 10cm off the jets onto the bottom of the windsheild.

I looked online and I see the part is about $30 new. However Im unsure where it actually is located in the engine bay although with the help of youtube I could probably find that.

Should I attempt to DIY this or get a shop to do it?

My experience level is I usually would try anything once, I have done things such as replace my front brake pads, and replaced my struts before on a different car, I haven't really attempted anything in the front engine bay though.

Im presuming that the toyota dealership would charge around $300 + tax to replace it. They probably would also want a diagnostic fee first too.

[ercchry]

It looks like there is a motor for front and back, both in the bottom of the reservoir... so you’d need access to that, figure out which is front and back, make sure it’s actually the motor, and not a split line that’s letting most of it leak out before the nozzles. Lines can be tricky as sometimes they are routed through the hood with connections completely out of sight

[EK 2.0]

Do it on your own...it is fairly strait forward...

But, just make sure you order the little rubber grommet/bushing with the pump....they can get brittle over time and fall part when you pull out the old pump...

[ShermanEF9]

you're positive its the pump and not a clogged line?

[nzwasp]

It could be a clogged line - I shoved some wire down the jets and they are a little bit better but now the actual spraying makes a wierd sound. I might need to capture a sound bite.

Is there a good way to take the lines out and declog them? im not even sure how debris would of gotten in there.

I took a video at lunch of what it looks like https://youtu.be/YAreIJ0-Vko

[ercchry]

How about cycling some CLR through the tank?

[nzwasp]

How about cycling some CLR through the tank?

Seems like compressed air is the way to go to clean them out after detatching under the hood. Although this website seems to suggest that the pump is probably failing https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-clean-and-maintain-windshield-washers-by-samson-dikeman

As sometimes there is no spray at all, and then I open the hood and fill up the reservoir to the top (which is usually half a cup of liquid) and then they spray again a little bit. I am unsure why this works though.

[ercchry]

Maybe build up in the tank? Adding more liquid moves stuff around and the pump intake clears up?

[nzwasp]

I presume its the same tank for the back and that one seems completely fine. But when it gets sunny again I can take a better look.

[ercchry]

I presume its the same tank for the back and that one seems completely fine. But when it gets sunny again I can take a better look.

ya, it should be... so either front pump is working extra hard due to clog/split a some point and added fluid is enough for gravity to make up for the difference... or dying pump... or combo