Washer Fluid Level Low Warning

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

CanuckRam1313

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Posts
1,036
Reaction score
2,087
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
Hey All,

So, my 19' has been happy and never had a light on my dash or msg come up on my EVIC, now starting this winter, and initially only when the temps were below freezing, does the annoying orange light pop up and stay on with the windshield washer symbol and the msg indicate low washer fluid level.

Once it warms up outside to above freezing it goes away and stays off.

Ffwd to the next below zero outside temp, and it comes on and stays on.

Now, the annoyance is on all the time and the same msg comes up too.

My washer fluid is always full, or damn near full as I travel a lot for work and running low or out of washed fluid is never on my agenda...lol.

I use the same washer fluid all the time whenever possible (Rain-X, yellow stuff), or get whatever the flavor is from the gas station (but it's rare that I run out of my regular go-to as I'm usually stocked up).

Thoughts as to what this is caused from?

I'm thinking that the washer fluid pump/fluid level monitor sensor thingy is starting to malfunction now and needs replacing, but I've no idea as to what that or those pieces consist of. Or, could it be some other gremlin?

Thanks for the help on this.
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,725
Reaction score
23,401
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Hey All,

So, my 19' has been happy and never had a light on my dash or msg come up on my EVIC, now starting this winter, and initially only when the temps were below freezing, does the annoying orange light pop up and stay on with the windshield washer symbol and the msg indicate low washer fluid level.

Once it warms up outside to above freezing it goes away and stays off.

Ffwd to the next below zero outside temp, and it comes on and stays on.

Now, the annoyance is on all the time and the same msg comes up too.

My washer fluid is always full, or damn near full as I travel a lot for work and running low or out of washed fluid is never on my agenda...lol.

I use the same washer fluid all the time whenever possible (Rain-X, yellow stuff), or get whatever the flavor is from the gas station (but it's rare that I run out of my regular go-to as I'm usually stocked up).

Thoughts as to what this is caused from?

I'm thinking that the washer fluid pump/fluid level monitor sensor thingy is starting to malfunction now and needs replacing, but I've no idea as to what that or those pieces consist of. Or, could it be some other gremlin?

Thanks for the help on this.
Rain-X has a rep of screwing up the washer pump system on the trucks.You might want to consider using something differant . If you search on here,you'll find a few threads on Rain-X's issues with late model Chrysler products
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,725
Reaction score
23,401
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
 

oe542bob

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2015
Posts
538
Reaction score
480
Ram Year
2022
Engine
Hemi eTorque 5.7
I know the Rain-X caused issues with the 4th gens, I would have hoped that would be a non issue with the 5th gens. There have been write ups with guys removing the sensor , cleaning it and staying away from Rain-X. Shame, Rain-X is great stuff.
 
OP
OP
C

CanuckRam1313

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Posts
1,036
Reaction score
2,087
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
Damn.... Rain-X for the lose... lol (don't I feel like a ******* now...lol)
Thanks for the info Crew

Is the part recoverable once all the Rain-X is flushed, or is it time for a replacement part?
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,725
Reaction score
23,401
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Damn.... Rain-X for the lose... lol (don't I feel like a ******* now...lol)
Thanks for the info Crew

Is the part recoverable once all the Rain-X is flushed, or is it time for a replacement part?
Try using a differant brand of washer fluid for a few washer fluid fill-ups,you might get lucky and it'll clean the sensor enough for it to work again.There's also been issues with it clogging the washer nozzles to.
 

1 MEAN66

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 20, 2022
Posts
283
Reaction score
288
Location
Waterford NY
Ram Year
2016
Engine
Hemi 5.7 VVT-MDS
They (most any vehicle) have a float as in a carb. fuel tank etc. It sticks. Can't be fixed to my knowledge you need to replace that sensor- it's in the bucket. Buick centuries which were made also the same for 14 years had the same problem with the anti-freeze level sensor that was in the passenger side if the radiator (in the tank about 1/2 way down). I do not know if the type of fluid you use causes it. Or that just in your case, based on what you said (that you do not let the fliuid level change at all). that that "float" gets stuck?
This worked about 50% of the time for me when I was a tech on line (not the computer online, but in a shop lined in a row with techs) Drain the fluid, toss it or save it for reuse (I found that made no difference) Fill it with HOT (max temp from the tap) water. I then stuck my air pistol in the bucket and added a bit of air to crearte some bubbles for agitation (caution advised here) run some thru the system, drain and fill with washer fluid, run that thru the system, so that the water is purged out) The most important step. KEEPING FINGERS CROSSED!!!
 
Last edited:

JHoward

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2021
Posts
678
Reaction score
1,680
Location
NW, Louisiana
Ram Year
2017
Engine
5.7 Liter
Damn.... Rain-X for the lose... lol (don't I feel like a ******* now...lol)
Thanks for the info Crew

Is the part recoverable once all the Rain-X is flushed, or is it time for a replacement part?

I've had your issue just a couple of weeks ago when we had the "artic blast" ... it's not often we get below freezing temps several days in a row. It has cleared since the outside temps have become more the norm.

All I have ever used is Peak Summer Windshield wash and most likely it froze causing the "windshield washer alarm" to pop up. I'll flush the summer stuff out and refill just in case it might have gone bad. Won't hurt.
 
Last edited:

GTyankee

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Military
Joined
Nov 2, 2020
Posts
10,065
Reaction score
12,613
Location
El Cajon Calif. 92021
Ram Year
2016
Engine
3.0 ecodiesel
you might consider products such as
What is the best windshield washer fluid for winter?

Prestone ® De-Icer Winter Windshield Washer Fluid is specially designed to improve winter driving visibility. It is formulated to melt ice & frost fast, down to -34°F. Prestone De-Icer washer fluid works hard to prevent dangerous refreeze.

What to put on wiper blades to keep from freezing?


De-icer Windshield Washer Fluid: Using a windshield washer fluid that is chemically formulated to prevent icing paired with newer “winter blades” that are coated in rubber can help diminish the amount of freezing. This solution should work well, but only when traveling below 35 mph.

Can you make winter safe windshield fluid?

The easiest way to modify your warm weather mixes for cold weather is to add alcohol. Because alcohol freezes at a much lower temperature than water, it can be more effective in cold weather. While rubbing alcohol is recommended, high-proof vodka can also be substituted.

Can I spray alcohol on my windshield to melt ice?

Rubbing alcohol!
Mix ⅓ water and ⅔ isopropyl or rubbing alcohol together in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly onto your front and back windshield and watch the ice melt instantly. "Because alcohol has a very low freezing point, it causes the ice to break up and melt," explains Burkhauser.
 
OP
OP
C

CanuckRam1313

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Posts
1,036
Reaction score
2,087
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
you might consider products such as
What is the best windshield washer fluid for winter?

Prestone ® De-Icer Winter Windshield Washer Fluid is specially designed to improve winter driving visibility. It is formulated to melt ice & frost fast, down to -34°F. Prestone De-Icer washer fluid works hard to prevent dangerous refreeze.

What to put on wiper blades to keep from freezing?


De-icer Windshield Washer Fluid: Using a windshield washer fluid that is chemically formulated to prevent icing paired with newer “winter blades” that are coated in rubber can help diminish the amount of freezing. This solution should work well, but only when traveling below 35 mph.

Can you make winter safe windshield fluid?

The easiest way to modify your warm weather mixes for cold weather is to add alcohol. Because alcohol freezes at a much lower temperature than water, it can be more effective in cold weather. While rubbing alcohol is recommended, high-proof vodka can also be substituted.

Can I spray alcohol on my windshield to melt ice?

Rubbing alcohol!
Mix ⅓ water and ⅔ isopropyl or rubbing alcohol together in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly onto your front and back windshield and watch the ice melt instantly. "Because alcohol has a very low freezing point, it causes the ice to break up and melt," explains Burkhauser.
Appreciate this info!
Perhaps some vodka mix in the bottle would help too :)
 

Wild one

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2016
Posts
13,725
Reaction score
23,401
Ram Year
14 Sport
Engine
5.7
Appreciate this info!
Perhaps some vodka mix in the bottle would help too :)
If you drink the bottle of vodka first,the light on the dash probably won't bother you to much,lol
I'd go to the local grocery store and pick up a bottle of 70% or 99% rubbing alcohol and give it a whirl though
 
OP
OP
C

CanuckRam1313

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Posts
1,036
Reaction score
2,087
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
If you drink the bottle of vodka first,the light on the dash probably won't bother you to much,lol
I'd go to the local grocery store and pick up a bottle of 70% or 99% rubbing alcohol and give it a whirl though
25+ years ago I used to get 99.9% pure iso/alcohol for cooking... but that was for different reasons... lol ;) (always cooked outside in the barn because it was too risky to do it indoors!)
 
OP
OP
C

CanuckRam1313

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Posts
1,036
Reaction score
2,087
Location
Ontario Canada
Ram Year
2019
Engine
5.7
I agree with not using rainx fluid, but think your issue is not using winter formula fluid.
It says good to -45c on the jugs...
Needless to say, I just ordered a new washed fluid sensor and will install it next week.
I'll boil some water and flush out the washer fluid jug too while it's out.
 

turkeybird56

Military Vet 1976-1996 Retired US Army
Military
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Posts
18,760
Reaction score
42,968
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2019 Bighorn, 4 X 4, 3.21 rear, Bright Flame Red Pearl Coat, Mopar tonneau cover,Westin Bed rug
Engine
Hemi 5.7
IF U have a freezing issue with summer stuff, dump in a bottle of 90% Isopropyl Alcohol, drop freezing point way down below (zero), what I did during our freeze in 2021 where it was -5 F. FTR, do not use Rain-X orange, documented many many times messes with sensor. I use Prestone Blue Winter here and have a bottle of Isopropyl Alcohol 90% always available if temps gonna get stupid low. All IMHO...
 
Top