windshield washer not working in the cold

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Shawn Burns

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I've been having an issue when I come out to my truck in the morning with frost on the windshield. I typically will give a quick spray with washer fluid to get rid of the frost if it's not too thick. Recently, my washers will not work in the cold.

I did some searching and I read about the rain x clogging issues. I was running rain x fluid. I drained it and now I am running wal-mart de-icer. Same thing is happening. It works when the day warms up, but not near freezing temps. Any ideas?
 

Wild one

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I've been having an issue when I come out to my truck in the morning with frost on the windshield. I typically will give a quick spray with washer fluid to get rid of the frost if it's not too thick. Recently, my washers will not work in the cold.

I did some searching and I read about the rain x clogging issues. I was running rain x fluid. I drained it and now I am running wal-mart de-icer. Same thing is happening. It works when the day warms up, but not near freezing temps. Any ideas?
You could try running 99% rubbing alcohol through it.I had a buddy who ran Rain-X till he had issues,then he filled his washer bottle up with 99% proof,then got on the switch till he'd pumped most of it through the system,then he topped it back off with -40 windshield washer fluid,and it apparently cured his issues.Not sure it'll work,as i've never ran Rain-X or had any issues with washer systems,so i'm not sure it'll help in your situation,but it might be worth a try.He claimed he had to hold the washer switch till it'd pumped most of the 99% through,before it finally started to spray proper again.
 

gofishn

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Do exactly what WildONE said.
Clean out the lines o f that LIne-x & Wally World JUnk.

just use regular old low temp, washer fluid.
 

Jeepwalker

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I tried the RainX fluid. Costs 3x the amount of the blue fluid, and leaves a film. I wasn't impressed. I switched back to the blue fluid years ago. I am a believer of RainX in general (the hand-applied product). But I only use it if I know I'm going on a long trip or there's going to be a ton of rain. You almost need to apply it by hand anyway for best results, to get full windshield coverage.
 

LouM

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Get rid of the cheap blue washer fluid, I use Preston De-icer fluid in the washer systems in the winter and have no issues.
 

danielmid

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I switched from the orange RainX (pulled the line from the driver side of the hood and held it off the side and pumped until empty) back to standard blue, half filled the reservoir, full bottle of 99% rubbing alcohol, then topped off with more blue. It's been great, pushed through ice on the hood a few days ago just fine. Did the same with the Durango, even though it sits in a heated garage and doesn't ice/snow up.
 

Burla

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This is simple I have dealt with this in detailing, generally speaking all you do is drop that small size rubbing alc into washer fluid, if it is sub zero drop 2 in there, 3 at the most. Then when you flush the lines just by using it. Now, I know there are some funny fluids now, what I say works with distilled water or most blue fluids. It is just science, but you will likely need more then one if you are sub zero, or to be safe toss in two even if you don't need it. Better safe then sorry. btw, just did this on the wifes car last week for first time, her wiper lines froze, rare in this town.
 

06 Dodge

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I guess I was a very lucky person being I used Rain-X all season washer fluid in my 2006 for 15 years, even at -25 below zero I never had a problem with the washer pump or lines... I also used in many other FCA vehicles the last was for 3 1/2 years it in my wife's 2017 Journey all without any problems...
 

Rlaf75

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I guess I was a very lucky person being I used Rain-X all season washer fluid in my 2006 for 15 years, even at -25 below zero I never had a problem with the washer pump or lines... I also used in many other FCA vehicles the last was for 3 1/2 years it in my wife's 2017 Journey all without any problems...
I've been using rainx since 2015 and I haven't had an issue yet. I love the stuff lol
 

Loudram

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When I had my '14 Ram the previous owner used the RainX and it messed up my washer fluid sensors. I cleaned them and used the blue stuff with no more issues.
 
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Shawn Burns

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Rain-X in our washer systems is as polarizing as Hemi tick. Hopefully I am just stricken with the rain-x RAM dilemma and not the more ominoous Hemi tick one.

I'm going to add a couple bottles of alcohol to the system and run that through. I squirted it through with the blue stuff at the car wash for a good 30 seconds last night and, hopefully it remains working.
 

Burla

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Also, principals of siphon is great to use on cars and trucks, if you don't like a fluid, use a clear tube and get the siphon started with sucking it in, and place end of tube lower then the car, all of the fluid comes out. Don't even ask about the country septic tune up please.
 

Brent 1955

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I've been having an issue when I come out to my truck in the morning with frost on the windshield. I typically will give a quick spray with washer fluid to get rid of the frost if it's not too thick. Recently, my washers will not work in the cold.

I did some searching and I read about the rain x clogging issues. I was running rain x fluid. I drained it and now I am running wal-mart de-icer. Same thing is happening. It works when the day warms up, but not near freezing temps. Any ideas?
Have you ever tried using-35 windshield washer fluid
 

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