Hello again fellows,

I have a 1998 V70 AWD with a problem that just came up this week.

The tailgate washer system is not spraying fluid onto my tailgate window.

I can hear the pump running when I depress the washer button, so I think that's probably okay.

My questions are:
- what components comprise this system
- how is all the plumbing to the rear washer routed
- where is the likely malfunction

I don't know where any of this stuff is, and I don't want to just start tearing interior panels out willy nilly to try to find the problem.

Anyone with experience here will hopefully be able to provide some insight.

Thanks.

-Joel

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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 180k+

I had the tailgate apart this weekend to install some new tailgate struts that I got from FCP (OEM).

I checked out the plumbing I could see inside the pass D pillar - there was no fluid there. I decided I'd better dig in to see if there was any fluid even leaving the pump (though I knew I could still hear it).

I turns out the hose had come off the pump's outlet line and the fluid was just pumping out and all over the ground.

I put the hose back on the fitting and everything works great again. Including the new tailgate struts.

I don't know how it came off, but it was an easy fix.
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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 190k+

I just had that on my 00 XC. All I did was with an air gun blew air into the rear sprayer and it cleared up. It is still running fine. I wish all the fixes were that easy.

Ken
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2000 V70 XC / 2001 S60 totalled while parked :(

I had similar symptoms on my 98 V70 and it turned out to be a clogged check valve. This check valve is just before the nozzle and you do need to remove the upper interior door trim to get at it. Of course I broke half of the clips and the trim is still lying on my workbench. I bought a replacement check valve on e-bay.

There is a way to access the plumbing just before it gets to the door. If you open up the speaker cover at the very back of the car on the right side, you'll see washer hose and a connector. You could open it up and see if the fluid is flowing up to that point.

First thing to try, assuming it is not -100F, use a straight pin or needle and see if the hole in the nozzle is clogged with dirt or wax.
Let the washer pump run for about 30 seconds with the wiper lifted off the glass so it doesn't scratch the glass. Then look under the car for a leak.
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My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.

Great suggestion Klaus - did as you suggested and ran the pump, then checked for dripping under the car.

The dripping/pooling was up underneath the front pass side corner, directly underneath the washer reservoir. I guess that's the first place to start looking? I'll dig into it when the weather cleans up a bit.
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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 180k+

The line is probably full of ICE. Stop at a petrol station and clean the rear window, or use some snow and wipe it off by hand :)
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My name is Klaus and I am a Volvoholic.

Yeah I've been cleaning by hand at stations. I'll tear it apart when it gets warmer/dryer. We just had a big messy cold ice storm and I'm not looking for reasons to get digging around my car right now...
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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 180k+