How to Remove and Clean Windshield Washer Container?

Title says it all. I did a search with zero results. My windshield washer container is black inside. I put a couple of drops of bleach in and now I have a bunch of black floaters. I'd like to remove it and thoroughly clean it, but I don’t have a clue as to how to proceed.

 

It's only attached by 3 Bolts.

 

I’ve seen those bolts, but I can’t see what kind of electrical and hose connections there are and how to disconnect them.

 

If you unscrew those and move it around you will get a better view though

 

Ok, just took those two bolts off and that’s as far as I got. No idea how to disconnect the electrical connection. No idea at all and it’s not easy to reach.

 

Just disconnect the pigtail off the pump

 

When it comes to electrical stuff, I’m a dummy. Googled Pigtail, but it didn’t help, so I guess a photo is in order in case what I have is different from what some may be thinking. I have two arrows in the photo. These seem like they are two different connections. Is number 1 in the photo the pigtail? If so, how does one get it off? I have no clue. It is on tight enough so that if feels like it is part of #2.

 

1, should have a little tab where you push down and pull the connector right off.

 

^Yes

In the pick the part that you press in is on the bottom side. What's the pressure you should be able to pinch it and pull it apart, kind of like the same thing that's on the back of the head lamp.

 

With the help from this thread, a mirror and a flashlight and about 10 trips out to the truck to try an figure it out, I finally figured it out. Why don’t they put that little tab on top where someone can see it?

Cleaning the reservoir out was a chore due to the shape and a baffle around the filler opening, but I can see the bottom of the reservoir when it is full now. Should have taken some photos of it before I cleaned it, but did not think of it. Water was black and black mold was stuck to the inside and chunks were floating around.

I’ve used that 20/20 windshield cleaner for years and did have an old car that was so bad that the water was not only black, but smelled like a blue outhouse. A couple of drops of bleach took care of the smell. Anyone else experience this and what do people here in the forum use in their reservoirs?

 

Probably has a lot to do with how infrequently you use your washers. LOL If you use them to clean the windshield often the fluid doesn't stay in the container long enough to get moldy.

Plus, washer fluid is cheap!

 

i use rainx washer fluid.. it works better than the cheap stuff. The rain beads up and rolls off.

 

As an aircraft mechanic...I've been asking that question for years, all while cursing the engineers that designed that damn things after busting my knuckles open

 

As an auto mechanic/ aircraft mechanic/ motorcycle mechanic I've asked myself how engineers can be so damn stupid when they design this shit. I think they have office pools to see who can get the dumbest idea into production.

 

Ever tried changing the oil filter on the rear engine of a C-337?

 

Cause engineers do not work on them.

 

Gets used every time I drive the truck.

 

Bringing this thread back up from frustration. I needed to replace the headlight on the passenger side and the washer reservoir has turned black from mold again, so I decided to remove the reservoir to make it easier to get to the headlight. Stupidity from not looking at this thread before starting, I totally destroyed the reservoir motor (I won’t go into how I did it) and was forced to buy a new reservoir and motor. Got it all installed, filled up and working. Next morning the entire reservoir was bone dry. Now I’m trying to remove that pigtail as described in post #8 in this thread, but nothing I try will let me disconnect that stupid pigtail. I don’t remember having problems disconnecting the pigtail last time I did this, but nothing I try works. My finger can’t take it anymore. Any tips in disconnecting that pigtail?

 

I like to use a small flat head screw driver or a small pick. Sometimes you can get the pick to release the latch on some designs. Wiggle it while you press the tab works it the winning technique. Good Luck!

 

Engineers are about as good at designing for maintainability as they are at writing legible sentences.