2017 Tacoma washer fluid pump doesn't work at 15 deg. Or below

Guys this is killing me. I've always used the -20 blue Walmart fluid for the last 7 years without a problem. It's been really cold the last week in Chicago with 15° lows and my washer fluid pump won't even make a sound even after being warmed up for 15 minutes. Once the sun comes up 3 hours later it'll start working again. Then today I warmed up my car for 10 minutes and it's broke again. I started driving, magically it's working again. the pump is working fine when it's ideal temperature, why the hell is it not working when I need it first thing in the morning? My last quick fix is buying the rain-x30 below fluid, I don't feel this is necessary. I belie the pump might be getting old. Has anyone else had this problem?

 

Check/clean your electrical connections. WAG: as the wires/connection heats up it expands and closes the connection.

 

No.

I have used the orange RainX for 20+ years -20*f with no problems.

 

I've had moisture freeze in the nozzles, and the actual windshield washer fluid squirt out in my engine bay at a loose hose junction. Might check under your hood and see if you see any signs of washer fluid under there. Unlikely, but a possibility.

 

It sounds like water is intruding into the nozzles and freezing.

I can assure you that the system works fine down to -20F and quite likely lower.

You shouldn’t really be using it right away in the morning. Invest in a scrapper and some gloves. In a pinch, a credit will work.

 

Anyone have a windshield scraping clip from Fargo?

 

Haven't heard about this issue before. Cheapest thing to try is the -30 fluid.

Can't remember if there's a relay for the system; that would be another moving part that can be swapped out.

You can also remove the pump, put it in a freezer for a few hours, then jumper 12V to it and see if it runs.

 

This. Its likely your fluid is contaminated
The blue stuff freezes pretty easily regardless of what it says.
Put some in a bottle and put it outside overnight when its cold.

 

This. Happened to my wife's Rav4, though it was old age versus cold weather. It wasn't dropping enough to see under the vehicle but when I opened the hood and found some moisture, I had her hit the washer and found a huge leak in a hose.

 

Every car I've ever owned I've never had a problem with the washer fluid unless it was -20. I do use a scraper but even after that and your defrosters are on you always use this wiper fluid to clean it up. There has to be something wrong. When you can't even hear the pump.

 

Well I put the Rain-X in, but I guarantee that's not it. The first reply was my wire connections are probably dirty. There's no damage to the lines or anything like that once it's warmed up it sprays like it's brand new. It's just first thing in the morning the pump doesn't even work. I even keep the engine off and click on the ignition just to see if I can hear the pump, and you cannot hear it. Magically it starts working when it wants to. I've used my washer fluid in -50 a few years ago, and it worked fine
The last week it's been only 15 degrees so it's definitely not a washer fluid issue..

 

I forgot..carefully take a pin and poke at the holes on the sprayer nozzles. Sometimes they get clogged too.

 

I’m lost. Your description of the problem is all over the place. You started out talking about temperature and now you say, “it’s definitely not a temperature issue”. I hope you get it worked out

 

I first thought it was a fluid
issue. I always put in -20 of the blue fluid in, I was at the dealer and I'm curious if they put in something else. Once the pump started working I pumped all of that fluid out, and replaced it with the winter fluid. now I'm experiencing the same problem. First thing in the morning when you're trying to clear your window, there is no sound of the pump whatsoever, one day it didn't start working for 3 hours, and today it started working after 5 minutes of driving. My point of a temperature issue was based on the fluid but I have at least taken that out of the equation with the new fluid. I'm sorry I confused the washer fluid temperature with the actual temperature, but when it's cold the pump doesn't work first thing in the morning.. I'm not going to beat this to death I'm either going to have to take it in or change out the pump

 

We’ve all done it at least ounce, but you you should not rely on windshield washer fluid to melt ice on your windshield. Use a scrapper.

Here is a $17 solution:

$17 AstroAI 27"Snow Brush and Ice Scrapers for Car Windshield, Detachable Snow Scrapers with Ergonomic Foam Grip for Cars, Trucks, SUVs (Heavy Duty ABS, PVC Brush, Blue)

https://www.amazon.com/AstroAI-Deta...=&hvlocphy=9019659&hvtargid=pla-1057025705411

 

There's always a boiling kettle of water, too!

I wish i had remote start on my taco... it's great in the wife's car, so I just drive that to work, lol.

 

I don't rely on the washer fluid to de ice my window. You tell me one person in 15° temperature that hits their washer fluid and it doesn't work, that's a problem. If someone sprays salt on your windshield against the Sun and you spray your washer fluid, and it doesn't work, you're going to get into an accident.
I get it. If hit the sprayer and hear the pump it's froze or clogged.
If you hit the sprayer, and don't hear the pump, something is wrong.
I've already taken winter fluid out of the equation. I was just asking someone explain how a pump doesn't work first thing, and the work when it warms up 10 degrees when you clearly have the correct fluid in the bottle? There's nothing clogged in the lines or the the sprayer. When it works it's perfect with the correct fluid, just not first thing. 15 deg. Is not cold. If that's the case Toyota better fix it because I've never owned a vehicle that didn't work