Windshield sprayer tripping randomly

[Fallon]

I was mowing on a steep hill today in the L4060. Every so often the sprayer for the front windshield would squirt for less than a second or so every so often. Maybe twice an hour or so not related to going uphill, downhill or on flattish ground. At least it happened on all three scenarios.

Anybody else seen anything like this before? I can pull the roof off & check the switch, then maybe go poke at the relay. But electrical troubleshooting can be annoying. Troubleshooting random uncommon electrical stuff is downright painful. I was hoping there might be a non-electrical issue others were familiar with.

 

[Billrog]

Check the vent hole in the lid isn't plugged allowing it to build up pressure when it warms up.

 

[Wagtail]

But electrical troubleshooting can be annoying. Troubleshooting random uncommon electrical stuff is downright painful. I was hoping there might be a non-electrical issue others were familiar with.

I well know the feeling (retired Navy Electronics Tech).

However, you do have one or two common points to investigate the fault = either the 'activation switch' (wherever that is located in the cab) or the on/off switch for the pump. Seeing as it's an intermittent fault I highly suspect a loose wire somewhere that is completing the 'on' circuit.

The first place I'd at look is the 'activation switch' (lever?).

 

[moship]

If it was pressure increase due to temperature rise I'd think it would dribble out. If it sprays like when it is activated by switch it is an electrical issue. Likely to be a pinched wire or could be moisture related (drop of water across two wires in the connector).

If you have rear wiper you could likely swap the F & R switches to see if the problem follows the switch.

Good luck finding the root cause.

 

[oosik]

My first thought is a loose wire or connection somewhere. I simply hate chasing down electrical problems.

 

[Fallon]

My first thought is a loose wire or connection somewhere. I simply hate chasing down electrical problems.

I was thinking that, but realized it would need to be a short in the control wiring. If it was just loose that would mean the sprayer wouldnt work when you hit the button. As this activates on it's own it would need to be the switch, relay or some short dumping power to the sprayer motor.

I like the plugged vent prospect, at least it will be a quick check & it was warm yesterday. Dribbling rather than spraying does seem likely, but it will be so much easier than electrical to troubleshoot & check.

 

[oosik]

Well - from experience I can tell you what it probably ISN'T. Two years ago the local chipmunks completely chewed thru the hose going from my windshield washer pump up to the spray heads. Hit the wiper button - hear the pump run - smell the washer fluid - look under the hood - entire engine compartment covered in WW fluid.

Five gallon bucket trap solved the problem - at least for a time.

 

[Fallon]

Well I'm assuming the washer juice resivore in back is the only one. I see 2 plugs & motors under there. I was able to unplug them & swap them. It's still did it a bit today on the front. Mostly early in the evening. Assuming its heat related & there is some pop-off valve or backflow something that makes it spray intermittently, rather than dribble out over time.

I need to figure out some insulation or something it looks like.

 

[Fallon]

More mowing today & more squirting after an hour or 2. I touched the fluid that came out & it was hot. Looked at the hose under the hood & it get routed right over the DPF can when the hood is closed. So not surprising it's getting hot really.

Not sure insulating the washer line will stop it from heating up, just delay it. Given where the sprayer head is & where the DPF can is im not sure if there are any other routing options.

Need to spend some time in the shop looking at things wh ed n the machine is cold to figure out if I can reroute the line somewhere and/or insulate it. Really surprised more Grand owners dont have the same issues.

 

[moship]

Maybe you discovered a new feature. It’s heated to help clear the windshield during cold winter weather.